The one that ended early

but NOT because of the weather.

drumline

It is so difficult some days to get a great photo of a whole group.

So I am particularly proud and in love with this photo of the bass line because it is one of the 

VERY FEW times you will see the whole line and their faces!!

fundamentals

tuba time

heat relief

Can you say "heat index of 110"? I don't have to say it because I lived it today. That's the only con.

The pros are:

POPSICLES during the big break.

SHADE TREE even if it's all the way on the other side of the track and only the drumline gets to take advantage of it.

130 NEW FRIENDS!!

it's all about the band

Just in case you haven't realized it yet, I'm going to be spending the next few weeks helping out and photographing the band. We have a SUPER DUPER AWESOME band this year and I plan to be there for every single minute of it.

the new guy

i love the details

and so it begins...

Today I began my SEVENTH year of band camp. 

Sneaky of three seniors

Oliver Hobbs Concert #61

Ok, so I'm not really sure if it's the 61st Oliver Hobbs Concert... the program is in the car. But I'm pretty close I think. This concert was started to honor one of Leon's former band directors and continues each year as the end of the year presentation for the Concert and Symphonic Bands. This year there were a couple of wonderful additions... 

Percussion Ensembles:

And also a presentation to the Leon School Board for their very generous donation towards our new uniform drive which allowed us to reach our goal of $57,000. So we all know what that means... NO MORE HEAVY WOOL UNIFORMS IN AUGUST!! I'm a little sad about it because Tyler wore that uniform when he was in high school and now Chance has worn it for two years. They are unique and allowed us to stand out among the other bands. I remember when the full band used to HIGH STEP onto the field for their half-time shows... it was AWESOME and always gave me chills.

And I just love this one... one of the drum majors for marching band and also a senior, it was her very last high school concert. She will be very missed.

One of the best concerts you'll ever see

If you know anything about my family, it's that there's alot of music going on. All music. All the time.

My boys are both percussionists, play guitar, bass, keyboards, and more so between marching band and concert band, there just happens to be a LOT of concerts to go to each school year. And I didn't even mention the various bands they are involved in...

However, this group (including my baby Chance) is always MY FAV. The music, the energy, the FANTASTIC entertainment leaves you ALWAYS wanting more.

They are CANBOULAY... Leon's Advanced Steel Band.

Concert Band Rocks

This morning BRIGHT AND EARLY at 8:15am, the dedicated Leon CONCERT BAND geeks met at Godby HS for their MPA Festival.  Did I say bright & early? Did I mentioned 8:15am on a SATURDAY morning? Ok, good.

They were awesome!

Percussion Guys walking to the sight reading portion of the day.

I didn't get to see Symphonic Band because they played the night before these guys. But I'm sure they ROCKED IT too!

An inaugural event

So I went to the inauguration of Rick Scott as Florida's 45th governor yesterday and if you missed it, don't worry about it. Thank goodness for the bands. THE BANDS! The bands really turned this day around and made it fun. 

WARNING: This post is SUPER heavy with photos. Enjoy!

1. Elephants in downtown Tally. 2. But the circus followed the MASS MEDIA. 3. Renamed the streets. 4. El Governor 5. La Lt. Governor 6. THE people. 7. Walking the route in stilletos. Actually she rode in a car until she almost reached the grandstand. Ha. 8. Rick Scott Way aka Porta Potty Place.

I have to say that it was really cool to see the tactical teams on the roofs and agents with earwigs in the crowd. MEDIA EVERYWHERE. The photographers. With big lenses and fannypacks. Gotta get me one of those. And then there were those just trying to make a buck... newsboy, buttonman, and cotton candy vendor.

The little tyke was riding in one of the family cars that brought officials to the grandstand. 

Finally, the PARADE! Music, dancing, and loud DRUMMING. 

Then LEON came on scene.

 Caught them on the walk back to the school too!

All in all, good photos made it a good day.

Three hours of the most fun I ever had

Leon Performing Arts Winter Showcase {PAWS} was this weekend and man, oh man, I couldn't believe how absolutely, positively TALENTED these people are! Lead by a host of band, chorus, orchestra, guitar and thespian directors, the night was filled with three hours of the best entertainment this side of the Big Bend. I had only planned on going the first night, but couldn't help myself from showing up Saturday night just in case I had missed something.

And I took loads of photos. I mean truckloads. Here's a sampling:

Of course, my sweet, baby Chance was a part of it all... and I was so happy that I caught this moment of jammin', bangin', and totally ROCKIN' that cowbell.

PAWS

Leon High School's Performing Arts Winter Showcase {PAWS} is this weekend. And it's the hottest ticket in town, from what I've heard. I caught a peak at the rehearsal this afternoon and I was amazed. If you've ever been in the auditorium at Leon, you know that space is at a premium. But the performing arts folks make use of every nook and cranny to entertain.

Concert & Symphonic. Steel. Thespians. Choirs. Instrument Ensembles. Melodears. Guitars. Jazz. You name it. You'll hear it.

It's standing room only, baby.

jumpin'

Who: Lion Steel Bands
What: a dynamic, energetic steel concert with traditional steel and metal rock music
When: Sunday, December 5

If you have never seen one of these concerts, you are definitely missing out on one of the best music experiences in Tallahassee. The Leon High School Lion Steel Bands are celebrating their 20th year and consist of 2 beginner bands, 2 adult bands, an intermediate {Jouvert}, and an advanced {Canboulay}.

Mike Wendelyn, who is the director of all these groups, announced during the concert that the Canboulay Steel Band will be travelling to Virginia Beach in the Spring to, once again, compete on a national level. In 2008, this group won every single award that was available to win. Nice, huh?

Some of these groups will be participating the PAWS {Performing Arts Winter Showcase} this coming weekend, December 10-11. They also hold a huge dinner concert in the Spring.

Come. Watch. Listen. Jump. Dance.You'll never be the same.