Marching Band – D3 Competition

D3 competition is the high of the marching band season. It’s a competition for all the Treasure Valley schools on the Blue Turf at Albertsons Stadium. The Boise State marching band – The Blue Thunder also performs. It’s an all day event. The first band starts at 9 am and it goes until about 11 at night. There were 28 bands that participated. From the small schools to large. The bands performed in their class with the smaller ones going first. Jaelee’s band didn’t perform until the afternoon. At the competition they announce the size of each band and Greg kept track in our program. We found out Centennial’s band was the largest with 108 members!

Jaelee had to be to the school by 10 am, for them to practice, get dressed and ride the bus down to the stadium.

We got to the competition early to make sure we had plenty of time to find parking and seats. My mom, brother, his girlfriend, Greg, Jayse and I were there. We were able to watch all of the 5A large class and 5A small. It was COLD out. We were all bundled up and had blankets and we were still pretty cold.

There were some great performances by all the bands, I know I’m bias but Jaelee’s school was the best in my opinion. I loved their choreography and music. It was so awesome seeing them from up that high because we could actually see all the choreography. Made it hard to get pictures – I had to sneak my camera in. The stadium doesn’t allow “pro” cameras. I loved watching not just Jaelee but all the bands. I don’t think Jayse shared my excitement, he was pretty much just bundled up and sleeping the whole time.

My aunt, cousin and her daughter also came to watch the performances. My cousin loves music and so they came to watch as well. It was nice catching up with them. While I was talking with them I saw a friend from high school. Her son played in another band. We talked for about 45 mins catching up. It was so great seeing and catching up with so many people.

After all the performances they gave the prelim results. Before that though Blue Thunder performed and they blew it away. They played more than 5 songs. Just looked like they were having the most fun. They got up really close to the stadium seats playing right where all the high school bands were seated. Jaelee said it was awesome when they were so close, she could feel the music. I was very impressed.

After Blue Thunder we had to wait a bit longer for the results. I felt so bad for those kids standing out there in the freezing cold. Some of those girls from color guard and drum majors had tiny dresses on. BURRRR. As the results came in Jaelee’s band placed 4th overall in their class and 5th overall in the whole competition. So dang proud of those kids and all the work they put in.

The top 14 would perform again for the finals. So we knew we’d have another chance to see Jaelee’s band.

We left to go somewhere to warm up and eat. After we ate I had to be back to help the kids for the finals. I signed up for the pit crew. I did it for selfish reasons. I knew I wasn’t supposed to bring my camera and was worried I wouldn’t get it in, I did in the end but I couldn’t get great photos so I thought if I was on the pit crew on the field I’d get better photos. More on that later.

Greg, Jayse and my mom went back to the house to get warmer clothes on before coming back.

I met the other parents by the bus to help move the equipment. We had to help the kids move the front ensemble from by the buses to where the kids practiced and then into the stadium. I liked being with the kids, hearing them talk and feel their excitement. I also got to see the interaction between different bands and all those kids are just so dang amazing. They were all encouraging each other and cheering other bands on.

The students from the Blue Thunder also helped. I got to talk to a couple of them as I was helping move equipment. They said being in the band is awesome. Both the students I talked to had scholarships. They said they practiced 3 days a week for a couple of hours and pretty much only perform at home games and this D3 competition. Doesn’t sound too bad to me. Jaelee has said she hopes to keep playing marching band into college.

The marching band practiced for a bit in the dark and then it was go time. I helped my new friend Kyle – with big great hair. He was a junior and played the xylophone. He was a quiet kid and polite kid. We all marched to the stadium and they performed for final. They did so good. In fact Jaelee later said they did 10x better for final. Sadly my plan to be on the field to get good photos didn’t work out. I couldn’t see anything. It was awful. All I could see was the front ensemble and the judges. Every once in a while I got a peak of Jaelee and got some pics. I also got approached by a BSU staff member that said my camera was not allowed. They let me keep it and take pictures after I signed a waiver saying I would not use the images for any financial gain.

After their final performance and once I was done helping the band Greg, my mom and I left. We were too cold to wait and hear the final results. Jaelee’s band didn’t place in the top 3 and that’s the only results they gave. We heard a rumor that they ended up moving from 5th overal to 4th but never got a confirmation on that. I am just so proud of them. They did awesome and I know the hard work all those bands put in.

Jaelee stayed with the band and they were there until 11ish, waiting to hear the final results. They then went back to the school, got unloaded and then they had pizza and watched their performance in the band room. I finally picked that girl up about 12:30. It was a long day for her but she was pumped with excitement. She loved it all. And to me that is what it is all about.