The night before the D3 competition the marching band does something called Night on a Hill. This is a tradition the band has done for 30 years. It’s a night to honor seniors in the band and perform for free to all family and friends. It used to be that family and friends would sit on the hill in front of the school to watch the performance but over the years the hill has gotten smaller and the crowd bigger so they do the performance from the stadium now.

The boosters and parents also decorate the band room. They put up posters and goodies for every member. This is one of the only held secrets in band. They don’t tell new members so the decorations and posters are a surprise for them.

During the day each section gets together for some fun. There was no school so the lower brass section that Jaelee is in met at 10:30 to have breakfast at Joe Mammas. Then they went to the tuba player, Catchers, house for a blended mix of food. Each section has their own traditions. Lower brass is to blend a bunch of stuff together. This time in included – pizza, part of a pumpkin, hot sauce, hot cocoa powder, corn and root beer. Each member has to drink it. Jaelee said she tried it and swallowed one sip of it and that was enough for her.

After the blended pizza they all get to eat actual pizza and hang out. She came home in the afternoon and got ready for Night on a Hill.

We had to drop her off at 5:15 and go back at 6:15 to drop off her poster. We came back at 8:15 for their performance. This was the first time we got to see the entire performance. They didn’t wear their uniforms but wore t-shirts that said from Dream to Dream – the shows theme.

Jaelee got a few pictures of the days shenanigans.

Jaelee’s poster with a lot of her favorite treats.

The band gathered with the seniors in front while they go their rose from the band director. Somehow my girl got up front with some of the juniors. Love to see her smile.

Mrs. Brings, the band director. I don’t know how this lady does it all. She makes band so fun for the kids and she always seems to be having fun herself. She is dancing with them and pumping them up. Jaelee adores her.