Alumni Band Weekend vs. Rice

I was in band from 98 – 02 and I’ve done Alumni Weekend every year except for my first one out of school, and now this year, because I had shoulder surgery on Thursday and I won’t quite be up to holding a trombone for that amount of time.

So, Alumni Weekend is a lot like LHB, in that it can be fun and it can suck, depending on several factors. The good part of Alumni Band is that it’s even more relaxed than LHB, most of the time. You show up, run through the show a few times until you get it down, and you’re done. The problem is that process might take way longer than it needs to because of a lack of preparation. The other good thing is that, with the late start of the game, LHAB practice doesn’t start until 10am. In the past it has started around 5am, which obviously sucks. So, LHAB is a lot like LHB, with the same frustrations, but it only happens once a year, so I certainly think it’s worth it. The best part for me is getting to see the people I haven’t seen in a year, and participating on game day. And in regards to your attire, make sure you’re wearing the appropriate clothing, because the little old ladies checking out the “uniforms” are oddly Nazi-like in their fervor for the rules.

Other than that, I can’t think of much advice I can give you other than what you already know. Just be patient, because getting 600-odd past band members to relearn how to march and learn a show is quite a bit like herding cats. And have fun. I’m jealous that you get to go. I’ll be sadly watching the game at home, sporting a lovely sling.

Hook ’em!