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. 

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.

TWO SHOWS THIS WEEKEND --Silver Diner Kids Club

Know these guys?

In case you don't (but I'm sure you do), this is Silver Diner Kids Club, an AWESOME local band here in Tallahassee. Did I say AWESOME? I should have said AWESOMENESS!!!

Richard, Ian, Parker, Spencer, Katie, and Tyler (on drums) make up this innovative pop-rock band who have really made a name for themselves in Tallahassee. They are playing not one, but TWO shows this weekend.

The first one is part of FIRST FRIDAY at Trainwreck near Railroad Square Art Park. Click HERE for the details.

The second is a really cool idea by Borders Books and Music on Apalachee and will be an acoustic set at the store on Saturday night at 7:00pm. Grab a book, a drink and enjoy. Click HERE for those details.

I hope you can make at least ONE of the shows (hopefully both) and see the AWESOMENESS that is Silver Diner Kids Club.

And in the words of Josh Bula... cool.

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!

Six bands, one night

Last night, Chance and I went to Floyd's Music Store (not a real store) to watch some friends (and my son) play in the Local Showcase.

Amazing.
WARNING: heavy photo post ahead. :)

Forever and Always were the headliners and are also working on their CD this weekend in the studio. Other bands that rocked on Friday...

• Tourist (Alternative/Indie powerful live set)
• Hooray For Autumn (Debut Show!)
• Here For Today (Formerly Mayhem Drive)
• Alive At Last (New local rock music)
• Silver Diner Kids Club (Chill-Pop)

Today's sweet snaps:

This is Dave. He's beast.

The crowd was like a Leon Band reunion.

Tyler playing with Silver Diner Kids Club.

published

I can't believe that I forgot to share this very cool news with everyone. I guess with the holidays and all, I just plain forgot. BUT... luckily I found this in the car today...

 The photo editor at Leon sent me a message and asked could they use some of the photos that I took during the PAWS concerts in the paper and of course, I said ABSOLUTELY!! The paper was distributed the last day of classes before the break and it is also online at Leon High Life.

12 drummers drummin'

Actually, there were more than that... like 25 drummers, marimbas, bass, cymbals. But I like to keep with the season of things. The Capital City Kingsmen held their December Boot Camp over the weekend at Boot Camps To Go.

Really? A place to voluntarily attend boot camp? There was no fancy equipment or even heat. Just a warehouse with all you really need to work out... yourself, some rope, some sort of platform thingys, and a whole host of inspirational messages on signs and even written directly on the wall. I was intrigued. But, alas, I have to say, no thanks. I have a firm workout regime that consists of exercising my arms by carrying around camera equipment and doing lifts with diet coke cans. Hoist. Beep. Snap. Raise. Sip. Enjoy

Also, with the hours that this drum corp keeps -- 8pm-6am both Friday and Saturday nights, I am the first one to admit that I am old and can't keep up. So I just took lots of pictures in the 45 minutes I was there so it looked like I was there all night. See, brains, not brawn.

However, I did bring the guys a little snack of sausage balls and brownies in honor of the Ty-Ty's birthday. The sausage balls were a hit. And there were about 6 or 7 left in the bowl. Here is the conversation that followed:

me: There are a few sausage balls left. Does anyone want them?
dylan: OO-OO-OO-- I'll take them.
me: Ok come and get them.
dylan: Oh, that's more than a couple. Well, ok, I'll just stick them in my pocket.

And, like the memories I have of my 8 year old boys putting all their stuff in their pockets, that's exactly what he did. PRECIOUS!

Oh, and pretty sure the guy doing sit ups dropped his sticks. Reminded me of band camp.

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.

just a few of this year's favs