BOA St. Louis

The band competed in Bands of America Super Regional in St. Louis this weekend.  We had wanted to leave around noon on Friday, but Jack was helping with equipment and the trucks didn't get packed until almost 3:00.  This work can be done in a little over an hour but there were only six guys and no students helping.  There are usually a dozen or more as well as students helping with instruments. We dropped Pilot off at Puppy's Playpen for a weekend of fun.  We always took Suzy with us, but I didn't think Pilot would fair as well being kenneled and alone for so long.  As it turned out the area we always walked Suzy was all torn up and there were no grassy areas close to our hotel.  

We weren't the only ones to get a late start.  One of the buses broke down...

so Jake was among some of the boys that got to ride in a school bus.  Thankfully it - and a driver - were available at short notice.  AND thankfully the charter company was able to get a bus to them later in the evening.  

Jack, Annie and I stayed at the Drury Inn Convention Center, which is literally a half a block from the Edward Jones Dome.  Last year I walked over 30,000 steps going back and forth from the Dome to the hotel.

Jack and the schleppers met for lunch before getting to work. 

Last week it was decided they needed a flag to stake their territory.

Very cool!

Meanwhile, the band rehearsed on the 10th floor of their hotel parking garage.

wait!  Change in plans...

schleppers quickly move the 4'er's.

I don't know what we'd do without the 18+ schleppers needed for each performance.

And thankfully I'll never know.

They are amazing!

THEN, IT WAS GO TIME!

there's one part where the pit uses violin bows on the glocenspiel 

to create an amazing sound.

Drum Major, Nick Pfeiff, doing his thing.

And a few pictures from friends.  Nice action shots.

It was exciting.  I am truly amazed at the talent of these kids.  They did not make finals this year.and placed 31st overall.  Not bad out of 64 bands.  They stayed and watched finals before heading home. Jake rode a charter bus home, grabbed a quick bite to each with a friend at 4:30 a.m. and come home to sleep most of the day.

We got an early start and picked up Pilot.  He had a great time and this was the scene in our house for several hours this afternoon..  

xo