Thursday, July 11, 2013

From the Road - Halfway


Narrowing in on the last month of tour! 
They say that the last 15 percent of any goal is the hardest to accomplish.  It's true!!!!
We just learned a major change to the middle movement of the show, scherzo. Its going to work really well in the context of the show. I'm learning how to quickly implement and perform changes, which will be so helpful for this upcoming indoor season! We get so many changes, and learning to implement and perform them on the fly is definitely a good skill to have!
On anther note, There's something really special about the bond that forms when you live, eat, breathe, and rehearse endless hours with 150 people for 3 months! There are definitely times we've had our disagreements, or felt we couldn't tolerate each other another minute. But more often then not we're supporting each other, working hard, laughing lots, and encouraging each other when it gets tough!
The closer we get to finals, the more I think about how much I should cherish each of the friends I've made and each of the members that makes up the Cadets. You always hear people say, "enjoy this season because there will never be another one like it". But this summer it has a very tangible meaning; there are people from everywhere- Japan, England, Ireland, and all over the US- who I may (literally) never see again. So my goal is to enjoy every moment that I have being with such a great group of individuals. A group that will make the best Cadets in history!
Tonight is our first time facing our toughest competition- Carolina Crown and the Blue Devils. Hop tells us the confidence that this years corps exudes is astounding. Our Barber show - "Side by Side" - has incredible potential, but it still will take every ounce from each of us to pull this off. 
If anyone can do it, this corps can. 
It's going to be amazing!

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

America the Beautiful


This has always been my favorite in our arsenal of patriotic songs. 
It doesn’t get the title of of “National Anthem”, open major sporting events, or fill a seventh-inning stretch. 
It’s a simple tune - easily sung be children.
But it’s words are powerful and it’s imagery vivid.  
Most only know the opening verse - but there are eight. (The third verse still sticks in my throat every time I try to sing it)

Happy Birthday, America.

Tis the season - take a few minutes and read the poem - let it inspire you.


America the Beautiful
O beautiful for spacious skies, 
For amber waves of grain, 
For purple mountain majesties 
Above the fruited plain! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
And crown thy good with brotherhood 
From sea to shining sea! 

O beautiful for pilgrim feet 
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat 
Across the wilderness! 
America! America! 
God mend thine every flaw, 
Confirm thy soul in self-control, 
Thy liberty in law! 

O beautiful for heroes proved 
In liberating strife. 
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life! 
America! America! 
May God thy gold refine 
Till all success be nobleness 
And every gain divine! 

O beautiful for patriot dream 
That sees beyond the years 
Thine alabaster cities gleam 
Undimmed by human tears! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
And crown thy good with brotherhood 
From sea to shining sea! 

O beautiful for halcyon skies, 
For amber waves of grain, 
For purple mountain majesties 
Above the enameled plain! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
Till souls wax fair as earth and air 
And music-hearted sea! 

O beautiful for pilgrims feet, 
Whose stem impassioned stress 
A thoroughfare for freedom beat 
Across the wilderness! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
Till paths be wrought through 
wilds of thought 
By pilgrim foot and knee! 

O beautiful for glory-tale 
Of liberating strife 
When once and twice, 
for man's avail 
Men lavished precious life! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
Till selfish gain no longer stain 
The banner of the free! 

O beautiful for patriot dream 
That sees beyond the years 
Thine alabaster cities gleam 
Undimmed by human tears! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
Till nobler men keep once again 
Thy whiter jubilee!