Confessions of a Teenage Band Geek

by Brandt, Courtney

  This causes mass amounts of giggling, but I understand the question. It goes without saying that Wade is cute, but the Brass Instructor – Brett – ain’t too hard on the eyes either. Mr. Mickelson shakes his head firmly and answers, “No, they are not and that is all for this evening. We’ll see everyone tomorrow morning for breakfast at 7AM.”

  More groans from the audience, but everyone is buzzing about the date auction as we file out of auditorium. Although I’m not usually shy, I find it difficult to branch out past my own section and end up spending the rest of the night hanging on the front steps of the girls’ dorm. I guess I could go make new friends, but with all the time we spend together it feels weird being apart from the drummers for even one second.

  The next morning, my alarm clock goes off at 5:30AM and Laurel grumbles from the bed next to mine and continues sleeping. Since we’re drumline, we have to be out early to warm up. Given I want to look extra cute, I sacrifice the extra sleep. Although we are all yawning, everyone is on time for the warm up. We march to breakfast to one of our more upbeat cadences, “Is it a Jackal? It’s a Jackal!”

  After breakfast, the day is basically divided like this: first, we practice with the band to learn drill. That’s basically the entire morning. It’s kind of fun, because everyone is assigned a dot and then you have to figure out where your dot has to go. Then there’s lunch, then sectionals (drumline only, or maybe just the quints – depending on how Wade is feeling), then an afternoon break (it’s way too hot to practice midday), then the full band gets together for more drill. I’m not sure how other bands do it, but slowly, I see the pieces of the show slowly come together.

  It seems like we’re standing a lot of the day, so I’m super thankful when we have sectionals, when Wade lets us use stands for our quints. My back is as strong as it can be from working out over the summer, but nothing can prepare me for carrying Quincy around all day. Maybe I should ask Tags how he works out those broad shoulders of his. For a moment I wonder how my favorite drum set student is doing, but realize he’s in the middle of his own sweaty hell doing Two a Days with the rest of the Westlake Warrior football team.

  After dinner, while there’s still plenty of light, we have one more practice, then break for night activities. But somehow, it’s really a lot fun. Being on the end of the quints, I actually get a chance to interact with people from other sections.

  Finally, when it is practically dark and we’re in danger of running into each other, Mr. Mickelson calls out over the microphone, “I’ll see everyone in the auditorium in a half hour.”

  I’m supposed to get ready for the date auction in a half hour?! I’ve already taken two showers today and don’t really have time to get ready-to-buy-McDaniel-pretty. Realizing no one else will have the time either, in our room, I douse myself with perfume and throw on my khaki capris and a fitted green tank top. In the mirror, I am happy to note my carrier tan has become even more pronounced. Laurel doesn’t change, but I do manage to convince her to wear her hair down. Thus far, she has not made a connection with Denny like I hoped she would. I couldn’t even get her to sit with us last night.

  Cracking inside jokes with Stan, we walk in with everyone and file now to our usual seats. We begin commenting about who is worth what and what the “winning” members of the band will do with their “dates.” I’m nervous when I actually bid for McDaniel there will be no end to the teasing, but I am prepared – sometimes we have to make sacrifices for love. As I’m turned around in my seat chatting with one of the cymbal freshman players, I am surprised to hear the following words announced:

  “Julia McCoy.”

  I know my name anywhere, but there must be some sort of mistake! I certainly did not sign myself up for the date auction. Come on, why would I want to look like an idiot in front of the entire band? No one here is going to actually pay money to go out with me – they don’t even know me!

  Our emcee for the evening, a lanky senior clarinet player by the name of Adam, calls out again, “Julia? Hello? Anyone home?”

  The band starts whispering and looking in the direction of the drumline. Already my section is pushing me toward the stage. Like some sort of bad dream, I actually go forward and don’t have time to think who is responsible for this situation. As I stumble forward, Adam begins reading off a note card. If there’s any consolation prize whatsoever, it’s that at least a few people have already been auctioned, so the crowd is partially warmed up and actually buying those who have been brave enough to sign up for this bizarre social experiment. I look back at the guys and see Stan and Max both giving me big sarcastic thumbs up.

  In a playful tone, Adam begins, “As you may or may not be aware, Julia McCoy, a junior, recently moved here from Los Angeles and joined the Westlake drumline. In her free time, she enjoys knitting matching outfits for her ten-year-old Chihuahua, Pookie, and her Persian cat, Princess. This recent Westlake transfer also currently holds the record for longest scarf ever knitted by a person under the age of 20. When not serving as President of the Dulcimer Appreciation Society, Julia finds time for her one true love – algebra. Shall we start the bidding at $1?”

  Adam has used such a serious tone of voice, everyone thinks these made up facts are really true! I can hear the crickets and cicadas chirping and buzzing outside. The auditorium is absolutely silent. It’s like the worst nightmare I’ve ever had – only I can’t wake up. I wonder what will happen if I walk out now, pack my things and just leave.

  From the back of one of the rows, a voice shouts out, “$5!”

  Phew! I gratefully recognize the voice as Denny’s. At least I won’t forever be known as the freak who actually cried onstage at band camp.

  Another voice calls, “$10!”

  “$20!”

  Now that’s what I’m talking about. The bidding goes and goes until it reaches $50, a new record for the evening so far. I am hamming it up with Adam onstage for my potential “buyers.” Adam helps push the bidding to $70, and is half kidding about bidding on me himself, when a voice calls out, “$100!”

  The auditorium is instantly quiet and Adam says, “Alright, looks like we have our winner. Would the generous buyer please step forward?”

  I was so busy flirting with Adam, I didn’t even realize where the voice came from. My heart beats faster – could it be McDaniel? Could I be that lucky? I squint past the bright lights of the stage and see someone broad shouldered coming up the aisle.

  Adam announces to the crowd, “Looks like there’s going to be a little inter-sectional dating going on. Julia, say hello to a guy you spend most of your available time with already – Denny Napoleon.”

  Denny? Wait a minute…

  Denny is smiling as he walks onstage, then swoops me up bridal style and carries me off the stage amidst the crowd going crazy. He continues to carry me through backstage and all the way outside, I mutter, “You know I’m perfectly capable of walking.”

  Finally, we’re outside and he puts me down. I ask, “What was that about?”

  “I felt bad about what we did.”

  “You actually had a part in it?” I ask incredulously. However, Denny’s response could explain why he wouldn’t make eye contact with me during the day.

  “Yeah, so, anyway, we’re even.”

  My scheming mind has already put together a great idea. I can set up a date and then send Laurel on it! I am a genius. I say coyly to Denny, “But you did pay for a date with me, right?”

  His breath catches for a moment before he answers, “Yeah?”

  “So let’s go on one.”

  “When?”

  This is too easy! “How about the band camp dance?”

  He squints at me, but nods slowly, “If you’re sure…”

  “It’s just a date, Denny.”

  * * *

  CHAPTER NINE: Talent Night

  We sneak back into the auditorium and the sight that meets me literally stops me in my tracks. On stage, McDaniel is smiling happily and walking off with
equally excited Kimberly. I look at Denny and am suddenly very angry. I’ve missed my only chance to legitimately “buy” my crush and it’s all his fault I’m not walking off stage hand in hand with McDaniel.

  “Thanks a lot!” I snap and huff off to my seat.

  I’m not sure how many people’s feet I stepped on to get back to my spot in the drumline and I really don’t care. The look on my face must’ve said “don’t ask” because I cross my arms and slump down between Max and Stan. No one bothers me for the rest of the auction. As soon as it’s over, I head straight to my room instead of taking part in all the late night band camp activities.

  Laurel enters the room later and wakes me up from an awesome dream I was having involving me, Mulholland Creek’s Blade Mathers, and a lot of making out. She flips on the lights and says, “Was this all part of your plan, Julia?”

  “What are you talking about?” I mumble.

  “In case you missed what happened this evening, Denny is going out with you.”

  Even though it’s entirely too late to be having this conversation, I respond, “A) Denny only bought me because he felt bad about putting me up to it in the first place and second of all, I’ve got Denny thinking our ‘date’ is going to be the band camp dance – but instead you will show up to go with him.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, really. Not all of us are conniving bitches, you know. I wouldn’t dare break the sacred trust of the drumline girls.”

  “Okay,” she says sheepishly, “Sorry I woke you up.”

  The next morning everyone is not so bright eyed and bushy tailed as the first morning, but the mood is still a good one. My back and legs are completely sore, but I guess that’s to be expected. Denny looks like he wants a reason for my mean spirited “thanks a lot” comment, but I don’t feel like doing him any particular favors at the moment. Plus, I think my explanation would only serve to cause tension and drama, and for the rest of the day I just want to concentrate on my drumming. Well…maybe if I sneak a peak at McDaniel now and then, that’s okay too. Have you ever seen a boy sans shirt who can play a clean snare break? Really, there’s nothing sexier.

  Tearing my eyes away from my captain, I realize how exciting it is to see the half-time show come together. I only went to a few football games back in LA, and I guess I never really paid attention to what was going on the field. Now I know all the hard work, sweat, and determination that goes into the performance I feel like I should send a big “I’m Sorry” letter to the marching band at my old high school.

  We’re standing at (pain inducing) perfect attention, because that’s what Wade makes us do, but while he’s working out something with the bass line, Stan whispers, “So, you and Denny, huh?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “He’s taking you to the dance, isn’t he?”

  “He ‘bought’ me, Stan.”

  Stan shoots me this look like he doesn’t believe me. Guys are seriously just as bad as girls when it comes to this stuff. I mean, what is one “date” anyway? In the band world does that mean we are something more? Because where I’m from, sometimes you can just go out and see if things work out…like, I was totally going to do with McDaniel before his own girlfriend bought him. It’s like, come on Kimberly – give the rest of us a chance already!

  And suddenly, I’m mad all over again at Denny. I’ll bet he knew McDaniel was next. I’ll bet he bought me to…to what? To make sure I couldn’t go out with McDaniel? That doesn’t make any sense.

  “Okay, gang, great work out there, let’s take ten!” Mr. Mickelson releases us for a much needed water break.

  With a small groan, I put Quincy safely (and precisely) on the grass with the other tenors and, stretching my arms, walk over to the refreshment table. From behind me, someone starts rubbing my aching shoulders and despite myself, I begin making kind of kinky sounds.

  The voice from behind me says, “You’re going to scare the freshman.”

  “Don’t care – it’s worth it,” I mumble, lost in the released tension of my poor shoulder muscles.

  I turn around and see Denny and completely forget to be mad at him. I mean, he’s kind of hard to stay mad at anyway…especially after he cuts in line (using his section leader status as a reason) and comes back with two cold cups of Gatorade.

  “Thanks.” I proceed to drain the entire cup and burp loudly.

  Denny laughs and does the same thing. As we’re laughing hysterically (lack of sleep and too much sun can make you slightly loopy), McDaniel walks over. Be still, my heart. Revealing his adorable dimple, he smiles and says, “Now, I don’t want any dating in the section to mess up your concentration.”

  Denny looks away in what I can only assume is embarrassment and my heart drops – McDaniel thinks we’re together?! How am I going to remedy this? When did everyone come to this conclusion? I guess I could use Denny to make McDaniel jealous, but I don’t think that’s the right answer. Instead, I say absolutely nothing and McDaniel walks away thinking Denny and I are together.

  I say lamely, “That’s funny, McDaniel thinking we’re together.”

  Denny looks up and for a second I see a glimpse of hope (?) in his eyes, before he quickly looks away, “Yeah, it is.”

  We go back to practice and spend the rest of the day being overly polite towards each other. For the most part, I don’t like ‘polite’ Denny. I miss awkward-doesn’t-know-how-to-flirt Denny.

  Because we get through the drill of the second song in record time, Mr. Mickelson gives us a little extra time to get ready for tonight’s Talent Show. I bust out my cute denim miniskirt and black leggings. From what Laurel’s told me, tonight is a chance for some of the guard members to do faux cheerleader routines, some of the funnier kids to try their hand a comedy, and once in awhile, people bring up their (non marching) band equipment and play a few songs. Since most of McDaniel’s band, The Freshers, is actually in the marching band, I figure we’re going to be in for a treat.

  Laurel and I are about to walk into the auditorium when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I spin around and am shocked to see Greg, Tyler, and Jasper – Beans and Cornbread!

  After recovering from my initial shock, I ask, “What are you guys doing here?”

  Jasper (once known as Wannabe Mohawk Kid), says, “When we heard Scott was coming up to play with McDaniel and Kimberly, we thought we should be playing too. You know, a chance to try out our new stuff?”

  All summer we’d been working super hard. With the exception of our hurry up and go Battle of the Bands performance, we’ve never played in front of a live audience. Why didn’t I think of doing this before?

  Greg (aka Fedora Boy) says, “And before you even ask, your drum set is in the Exploder.”

  Tyler (aka Tall Guy) adds, “And we packed it exactly how you showed us.”

  I smile, after the summer together, these guys really know me. I am super particular about how and when my precious custom drum set gets moved. Looking at the trio, I say, “Alright guys, let me go see if they’ll squeeze us somewhere in the line up. Laurel, uh, can you keep the guys entertained until I get back?”

  Laurel shoots me a look of terror and I smile and duck inside. Fortunately, I am able to sweet talk us into the program. I head back out to meet my band and tell them enthusiastically, “We’re in and we’ll be the last ones to go on!”

  Jasper responds enthusiastically, “You know what?”

  “What?” we all ask at the same time, kind of amazed at how awake he is. For the most part, Jasper super mellow and rarely shows this level of emotion.

  “We should totally play ‘Universe!’”

  All the guys look at me. Sidebar. One thing I’ll brag about? My ability to play drum set. One thing I’ll never brag about? My ability to sing. Universe is something we came up with one random day after a marathon rehearsal. I had been singing along to something (a Meow Mix commercial, I think) and the guys all looked at me strangely. They somehow convinced me to add vocals on our la
test song. Now, I’ve gotten more confident singing it – in my shower, in my car, but I have never sang in front of an audience. Starting my vocal career in front of the entire Westlake marching band doesn’t really seem like the best place to begin.

  “I don’t know.”

  Greg smiles broadly and states, “You’ll be great.”

  “You really think so?”

  He nods and suddenly, I can picture McDaniel in the audience being blown away by my new skills. Sure, I didn’t get to “buy” him, but maybe there are other ways to get his attention.

  I take a deep breath and answer, “Okay, let’s do it.”

  However confident I was when I made the decision, backstage I am a bundle of nerves. The Freshers are currently onstage and totally rocking. Of course, they have a lot of things in their favor – namely, every person in their band is in marching band. Sure, Beans and Cornbread may not boast a drum major or drumline captain, but I think we’ve got a pretty good sound. The Freshers finish to a standing ovation.

  They walk off stage and it’s our turn. I don’t get stage fright, but that’s probably because I usually am sitting behind my drum set and can’t really see anyone. Because Universe is a slow song, we don’t want to end on it, so we have to play it first. We’re doing an acoustic version, so it’s basically me, Greg, his guitar, and a conga drum I borrowed from the front ensemble. Jasper and Ted set up quietly behind us. For just a moment, I feel like we’re on Storytellers on VH1 or MTV’s Unplugged.

  Greg clears his throat and says into the mic, “How are we doing tonight, Westlake marching band?”

  Already pumped from The Freshers, the crowd starts cheering. I look over for a moment at my band mate. Greg Alexander, although a shorter dude, isn’t lacking in the cute department. He’s not my style per se – he’s too angsty and prone to borrowing my eyeliner, but apparently there are a few girls in the audience who find him attractive.