An Open Letter To The Seniors In The Horned Frog Marching Band
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An Open Letter To The Seniors In The Horned Frog Marching Band

This year, I urge you to never take a single moment for granted.

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An Open Letter To The Seniors In The Horned Frog Marching Band
Dawn Poole-Signature Images Photography

Dear TCU Marching Band Seniors:

This year, there will be many "last time to do __", especially when it comes to marching band. Last time to play at an opening home game. Last time to play at the homecoming pep rally. Last time to march with our families during pregame. Last time to see TCU beat Baylor. Last time to go to Austin for Thanksgiving. Last time to march a halftime show at a high school marching competition. Last time to attend a bowl game. Last time to march at the Stock Show Parade.

Your marching band journey started when you were in middle school or high school. As a freshman, you had much to learn, but you learned quickly. Your high school marching band would spend hours upon hours perfecting 11 minutes of a show so you could make a "1" at state. Your band director pushed you to the limit. If you were from Texas, you would spend many a muggy morning or sweltering afternoon marching on the parking lot or practice field. You performed at all home and away football games. You saw your high school make it to the state championship or never win a single game in a season. Many of you were the best players in your section. Many of you had the opportunity to showcase your talents at All-Region, All-Area, and All-State auditions and performances as well.

Then you graduated from high school. Many of you graduated at the top of your class or with honors. Many of you decided not to pursue a career in music education or performance. However, you still wanted to perform at football games. You still wanted to enjoy the thrill of marching epic shows in front of thousands of people.

You joined the TCU marching band freshman year. Some of you never learned how to march correctly, or even at all. Some of you came from marching bands that were half the size of the TCU's. Some of you never experienced the hype of marching in a 6A high school band in Texas. Some of you struggled on marching in step, marching technique, remembering sets, or memorizing music.

On the other hand, some of you marched a season or two in a drum or bugle corp. Some of you found that marching band was a whole lot easier. You found that two hour blocks three times a week with plenty of 5 minute water breaks was heaven. You had already experienced the drum corp life by pushing yourself through three four hour blocks every single day with only thirty seconds to run to your water jug, grab a few gulps, and hustle back to your previous set.

You all came from different schools, cities, or states. However, you put aside your differences and worked together to impress every Horned Frog fan in the Amon G. Carter Stadium.

You have survived everything that has been thrown at you. You survived 2013 when the football team relied on the defense to prevent a staggering loss each and every game. You had the honor of marching at the Alamodome during the State UIL Marching Contest. You played the National Anthem at the Texas Motor Speedway competition. You survived the 11 am and the mid-afternoon games.

You survived 2014 when the football team's air raid offense began to win games by a landslide. You felt excitement well up inside you when you saw every student in the student section rush the field after number 25 TCU beat OU. You survived going to McLane Stadium where you got booed at by every single Baylor fan and humiliated after they defeated TCU at the very last second. You watched in despair, anger, and annoyance as every Baylor Bear rushed the field because they were ecstatic beyond belief about their football team winning against their worst rival. You felt pride swell up in you as you saw the football team crowd around the Big 12 Champion trophy after the Iowa State game. You felt a million emotions rush through you simultaneously as coach Patterson addressed to the entire TCU fan base that he loved all of us and that he couldn't have done it without us supporting the team every step of the way. You had the opportunity to attend a bowl game for the very first time and fly on a private plane with 150 of your best friends.

You survived 2015 when the football team's offense had to compensate for the defense. You saw coach Patterson's true talent as a Coach shine through during each and every game. Every game seemed to age you by ten years. You would see the team completely fall apart during the first half. You would see the secondary offense and defense replace those who were unable to play for the rest of the season due to injury. But amazingly, they would come together as one during the second half. You wondered how a team could be "so unlucky, yet so lucky." You saw Aaron Green catch a beautiful touchdown that was meant for Josh Doctson during the Texas Tech game. You saw the football team come back from an 18 point deficit during the Kansas State game. You experienced a Thursday night football game against West Virginia. You saw the team slip completely during the Oklahoma State game, and unfortunately never regain momentum. You felt like everything and everyone was in a hangover during the home game against Kansas the week after. You experienced the very first real cold front of the year when you were outside in 30 degree weather in Norman for five hours and the football team ended up losing by two points at the very last second. You experienced Baylor Tears falling from the sky after TCU defeated Baylor in double overtime. You will never forget how cold, dreary, windy, and rainy that game was. It was like living in hell for eight hours. Your gloves were soaked, your fingers were thawed, and you could not feel your toes. You will never forget the student section rushing the field after the game and the relief you felt as you finally arrived at your heated house, apartment, or dorm. But most of all, you will never forget how TCU overcame the impossible. At the Alamo Bowl, TCU lagged behind Oregon by 31 points. It was a Rudy moment for Bram Kolhausen, the back up quarterback, as he gave it his all to win the game in triple overtime. Most of all, this game was a significant part of sports and could possibly be portrayed in an epic Disney movie. You could proudly tell your children and grandchildren that you were at that game.

This year, I urge you to never take a single moment for granted. This is your very last year. Make the most of it because you might never have the opportunity to march and play on a field again. Time is precious and once it is gone, it can never be given back. I hope that you feel pride in yourself as your name is announced during the last home game. I hope that you feel accomplishment as you are recognized at the marching band awards ceremony. Give it all you got. This is your last chance to "be the very best that no one ever was."

-Sincerely,

Miku


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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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