Last night was Dobson High School’s Homecoming game. I showed up with my camera and some other Dobson band alumni who sat in and played stand tunes with the group. At halftime, they marched to the field to perform their 2006 show, Ngoma, that I wrote for them back in the Spring. It’s a hard show to do especially when you consider that about half the group this year were incoming sophmores. But still, they pulled it off excellently. This was the first time I’d seen or heard the show in full so, as always, it was exciting! I’ve never actually been in marching band so Rob Lubbers and Ryan Springler (and practically everyone else on the staff) have been reorchestrating a few sections to make the show more effective for on the field. With their improvements and Joe’s percussion writing, the show is really starting to come together. Way to go Dobson! If you’re interested, I’ve uploaded the show to YouTube below.

It was a nice little reunion to see these three girls all again. I’ve known Christina and Becca since about 7th grade and I’ve known Val since Kindergarten. Both Christina and Val were drum majors two years ago when we were all seniors there. Becca used to play flute/oboe but has since then decided to go into Aerospace Engineering (oboes in space?).

Joe: master of percussion. Actually, he wrote a really cool trash can piece that his group of percussionists performed down on the track. It really got the crowd wild! I wish I got it on tape.Of course, we can’t forget Blake, one of the drum majors this year along with Lauren Downey (she’s around there somewhere). They really make it all come together down on the field. Without them, it’d be phasing issue after phasing issue after… well, it just wouldn’t work. Great job girls!Eric, a Dobson Marching Staff, ponders, “How shall we breathe Monday? Hmm…”