Music has always had a significant presence in my life. My mother was a classically trained vocalist, my father a brass player all through their lives, and wherever we lived someone would be playing music or creating it. I went through piano lessons almost throughout the entirety of school. 12 years of learning to charm and grasp one of the most universal and tricky instruments in the realm of instruments. I don't play as much as I should, but on the occasion, I do I'm surprised by the memories stored in my fingertips if I concentrate enough. Then as I make the keys do my bidding it starts to come alive. Largely on a whim, I decided to join Marching Band when my family moved to Alabama. I thought of it as a natural progression since I had been in Band since 5th grade, and when offered the chance I thought "why not"? One of the best decisions I have come to make in my life. I marched in Enterprise High Schools "Bug Blue Band" my freshman year where I learned of my performance high and love for big loud bands, along with crowd that can only be seen at an Alabama high school football game (The stadium is actually nicer than the colleges I attend, they really do love their football in the deep south). Being a part of that band made living there worth it. I can't deny that living in Enterprise was an overwhelmingly positive experience, but the experiences I gained on the football fields and roads I marched on,well it was something that I will always look back on with happy memories.
When I came to Clarksville, I joined Rossview High School Band of Pride. A lot smaller than the 200 piece group I had come from, I learned about another side of the marching band world. Highly technical and emphasis and focus on marching and musicality then a wild showy one that I was used to. I also had a more intimate group. In Enterprise I couldn't tell you all the people who were in my section, while a Rossview I knew everyone by name, and everyone attempted to be friends with, and support one another. 3 years at Rossview, and every one of them I stayed with the Band. Again my best memories of High School come from it, whether it be the weeks at band camps, the rush of football games, the spectacle of competition days (these I could write about for a while), and the relationships I made. All the best parts of school trace back to it. So when I started college I said to myself I won't do it.
Seriously. Started my freshman year of college, without being in the Band. It was a good year. I made some good friends, had a somewhat typical experience of a student who lives on campus, but as I have been thinking back on it lately, there was something missing. I go to Austin Peay and the Marching Band is called The Governors Own Marching Band or GOMB to free up some space on a page or syllables on one's tongue. Being that at Rossview my Band Director was an Alumni of the program, his wife was one of the instructors, our techs for marching band was usually current GOMB members, many alumni of the Rossview band program went on to join GOMB,and On the rare, but awesome occasion we were visited and conducted by the GOMB director, everything was pointing to me to join it. But I did not. And I have since regretted it, and will most likely continue to do so.
But I joined this year! Even though I joined this year. I regret that I didn't start in GOMB because I would probably have a much better experience as a freshman had I done so. I am a sophomore now, so I am thankful I realized my mistake early. As of this article's publishing date, I have recently completed Band Camp with GOMB. One of the best weeks of my life. I was pleasantly surprised with what happened during those 7 days. I didn't feel like I was working as hard as in high school, yet we got far more work done. Everything was cooperative, the members, staff, even the weather (for the most part). Having cloud cover almost every day, temperatures not really going above the mid-80s in August, in Tennessee, was a huge blessing. But there is a vital part of GOMB that made it so much better. The people. I knew several faces from day one, from a high school friend who had convinced me to join, students I knew from on campus, so walking in I didn't feel lonely or left out. I was in the awkward place of I was not a GOMB veteran, yet I was not a freshman, so I had the opportunity to endure an unconventional camp. I Was able to counsel freshman on what to expect in their upcoming year, how awesome their dorms were, and a host of things that they don't include in orientation, yet I was able to feel like a novice learning how a College Marching Band works, and the vastly different animal it is.
In short here is what I know how I feel about GOMB. I don't like it. I am absolutely in love with it. Yes, it is early to be expressing this proclamation, but based on how close I have been with this program for 5 years, I am confident I will continue to feel the same until, and past my graduation day. Everyone is openly friendly and eager to help. Accepting of everyone's backgrounds and welcome new members to Austin Peay and a t-shirt (because it wouldn't be college if you got a free t-shirt). Our director sends mass texts that always contain something heartfelt, inside joke, even an emoji to keep a connection with students. This is not limited to texting, he is fond and appreciative of every member, always ready to hear from all of us and making himself available for counsel. I could go on, but in short, it, no, we are fantastic. Not only for the connections we establish within, but also for our performances. We command our audiences and inspire such enthusiasm that we are remembered, even if the football game isn't. I look forward to my future marching with GOMB, and to continue having music in my life.
