Miriam's marching band

 This kid loves music. And she loves to be involved. And she's a pushover when it comes to recruiters. So last spring when the high school started hyping up marching band, Miriam decided she'd participate.

Things got off to a rocky start. She missed the spring camp because she was in Washington, D.C. for National History Day. Even though it was a school activity and we got the band director's blessing to miss the camp, Miriam was very stressed about being behind everyone else. 

Then her section leader told everyone in drumline that they had to submit daily videos showing them practicing the music for the show. Miriam stressed out about that as well. Even though I thought that surely her section leader would understand if she missed a couple of days because the family was traveling across the country, Miriam didn't think so. So she submitted videos while we were in Nauvoo.

Then she went to fall camp. It's a grueling two weeks of music and marching, drills and memorization. Miriam was ... wait for it ... stressed. And her feet hurt. She grumbled that this would be the one and only year she did marching band and that she would quit if she could but she knew she'd already committed.

Finally after countless hours of work--by herself, with her section, with the band as a whole--the season officially started. The band participated in four competitions and performed twice at halftimes. We were pleasantly surprised when the High Desert Marching Band took first place in their division at Highland High School's competition. Then they won again in Rexburg. We were shocked when they took first again in Logan. (At this one they were competing against bands they hadn't seen at other competitions, and marching band is a really big deal in a lot of places in Utah, so we didn't think they'd take first there.) They're last competition was at ISU. Not only did they take first place in their division, but they also received the best percussion award (which is especially exciting because Miriam is part of the percussion) and the Gem State award which is given to the band from Idaho with the highest score at the competition regardless of their division. (We heard a rumor that this was the first year in 15 that Madison hadn't won that one.)

And at some point during the season, Miriam relaxed. She had fun. She saw her hard work paying off. 

Now she's talking about participating in marching band again next year. So we'll see if she still feels that way in the spring.

The band had an end-of-the-year banquet after their final competition. The directors handed out a series of awards that were voted on by the students. Miriam received the "outstanding freshman" award. 

She is. It was hard. She sometimes regretted her involvement, but despite that she continued to work hard. And she was amazing. She's the cutest little 3rd bass drum player I ever did see.

Signaling her love before performing at the end of their fall camp. The family members were invited to Hillcrest on the final day of camp to see what the kids had learned.

Heading out onto the field before their first competition at Highland in Pocatello.

Heading behind the props during their performance at Madison in Rexburg.

Kneeling at the end of the performance at Madison.

Dancing to Cotton Eye Joe in the stands as the judges tally the scores at Madison.

Miriam performing at a Bonneville football halftime. The band performed once for a BHS halftime and once for a Hillcrest halftime since the band is combined with both schools.

Miriam signing a copy of Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree to give to her drumline directors. The show this year was titled "The Giving Tree" and was based off the book.

Miriam rehearsing before their competition at ISU in Pocatello.

More rehearsing.

Andrea and Seth with one of the rolling props that spelled out "And the tree was happy." We signed up to help move it on and off the field. Unfortunately, there was an incident with the prop and I ended up getting the back of my leg run into. The bruise was gnarly.

Seth shooting pictures of Andrea shooting pictures of the band at ISU.

Miriam with her outstanding freshman award and all the awards the band earned in their 2024 season.