Here's the thing about winning.
When you win first place in something, you get to share your story with everyone else from outside your team. It's easy for everyone to understand - they won, so they HAVE to be great, right?! We got to experience this in 2021 at TOB States, and it was certainly a joy! Since then, the band program has only grown stronger, but we don't have a first place trophy to show for it. What's the deal?
When you don't win first place, your story stays within the walls of your team, and explaining to someone from outside of the team how much the journey has meant can be difficult. For instance, take the 2022 Philadelphia Eagles, who went 14-3 in the regular season, won the NFC East, and the NFC, but lost in the Super Bowl (BTW, it most certainly was not holding).
This activity is subjective. We can never change what another band does, and our outcome lies solely in the opinion of a few specific individuals. To be frank, back in the spring when I signed us up for NJMBDA, I knew exactly how states would go on paper for us. That's not to say we're not a great band - we've just been very used to being a big fish in a small pond over the past few years, and this year, we were finally ready to become a big fish in a WAY BIGGER POND. Thinking beyond even just this year, we're ready for new goals and new levels that can be reached from here.
Winning isn't just about beating others though. It's about being better than you were yesterday, and overcoming your own challenges and obstacles, which there are so much more of than other bands. It's not about how hard you can hit...
We won the moment we loaded the buses on Sunday.
There is no placement, score, or caption award that can capture what it took to deliver our performance on Sunday. Courage. Resilience. Love. We did what we had to for our team, and our teammate, and we got the job done. Here is a video of that special performance. I could not be more proud of you all for coming together as a family through the events of this weekend and being there for each other. I am honored to be a part of this journey with you all. Let's do it one last time, together.
-Massaro
(Happy Halloween - huge update this week - read all the words!)
This Week's Schedule
WEDNESDAY - after school rehearsal, pickup 6:15 PM
Thursday - after school rehearsal, pickup 6:15 PM
Friday - Away Playoff Game (6) at Cherokee/Sectional Rehearsals
GUARD and FRONT ENSEMBLE - rehearsing 3:15-6
The football team is now in the playoffs - any loss will remove all remaining football games from the schedule. A win means we will play a game the next week.
Hornline/Battery
After school - eat/break
3:45 PM - load buses
4:15 PM - depart Kingsway
5:00 PM~ - arrive at Cherokee/dress/unload/take seats
6:00 PM - Game Begins
8:45 PM~ - game ends/load buses/depart
9:30 PM~ - arrive at Kingsway/unload/dismissal/IMMEDIATE SLEEP
Saturday - USBANDS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AT J. BIRNEY CRUM STADIUM IN ALLENTOWN, PA
CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW SCHEDULE - 2027 Linden Street, Allentown, PA 18104
9:00 AM - rehearsal begins (ensemble at 9:45)
ALL FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE WELCOME TO WATCH REHEARSAL/RUN THROUGH!
11:45 AM - FINAL RUN IN STADIUM
12:00 PM - BAND BBQ!/EPL
2:00 PM - depart Kingsway
3:45 PM - arrive at Allentown/bathrooms/dress
4:30 PM - warmup
6:30 PM - move (BEWARE OF THE HILL)
6:45 PM - gate
7:00 PM - THE FINAL DEVIATION OF TIME
after show - load/change/WATCH PLENTY OF OTHER 5A BANDS!!!
9:30 PM - awards (band meeting after)
10:30 PM~ - depart Allentown
12:15 AM - arrive at Kingsway/unload/uniform checks
12:40 AM~ - DISMISSED/FALL BREAK
Nationals Tickets For Sale!
We have 150 tickets for nationals available for purchase for $25 through OUR OWN BAND - FIRST COME FIRST SERVE! Tickets will be available Wednesday and Thursday after rehearsal at the North Main entrance and Saturday morning at the stadium - CASH/CHECK ONLY (no Venmo)
Please note: audience members 17 and under do not require a ticket.
Fun math breakdown: our band profits $5 from each ticket we sell. If we sell all 150 tickets, we MAKE $750 that can be used towards more fun stuff in the future!
Booster Updates
Holiday Spirit Wear - open through November 10! This is a chance to order some holiday gifts or other items you missed in the first sale. All items will be delivered before the winter break.
The web store can be accessed at http://store.mvpsports.biz
Please read the details about payment, delivery, etc. At checkout please enter Kingsway Band where it asks for delivery information
We can make arrangements for picking up surprise gifts if needed
Bag Bingo is coming up fast! Tickets / tables can be reserved here!
Remember tickets are not guaranteed until payment is received. If you aren't interested in playing but want to come enjoy the evening, we will be sending information soon for volunteers.
Bingo Baskets We are going to have some amazing baskets to raffle off at our Bag Bingo. We are asking each section to donate an item(s) for their themed basket. Donations can be dropped off in the band room and are due by Tuesday November 14th. See this document for each section. Thanks for your support!
Looking Ahead - All Remaining Dates!
With the end of the competitive season here, the bulk of our season is officially about to be done. All that's left after this week and fall break is a light week, Thanksgiving week, and one weekend. Here are all remaining dates of the 2023 season!
Fri 11/10 - possible football playoffs
Tues 11/14 - after school parade rehearsal
Thurs 11/16 - after school parade rehearsal
Fri 11/17 - possible football state semi finals
Tues 11/21 - after school parade rehearsal
Weds 11/22 - after school rehearsal/DAVE N BUSTERS/OVERNIGHT TRIP!!
Thurs 11/23 - PHILLY THANKSGIVING PARADE - TELEVISED ON 6ABC! GO BIRDS
Sat 11/25 - Swedesboro Christmas parade (afternoon)
Sat 12/2 - PHILLY HOLIDAY PARADE - TELEVISED ON 6ABC! (possible football state finals before)
Sun 12/3 - LOGAN CHRISTMAS PARADE. FINAL EVENT!
THURSDAY, 12/7 - INDOOR PERCUSSION AND COLOR GUARD INTEREST MEETINGS 😎🔥