2009 Western Band Championships, Fresno, CA

Friday, Nov. 20th

The Day Began with many of the students getting dropped off at school.  A normal school day, right?  Not quite.  One of the GOHS Campus Supervisors wondered, "why so many suitcases?  Could that many students be on the road for the Holidays right after school?"  That same campus supervisor later realized it was members of the award winning Spirit of Great Oak on their way to the Western Band Association Championships.  "One question for you, Mr. Director: How long are you going to be gone?"  My response:  "just for the weekend."  "Yah, I thought so.  It looks like many of the kids have packed for two weeks!"  :)

The three buses from Sundance Stage Lines arrived @ 12:15 PM, while many of the students were still finishing their lunches.  Some of the students were too excited to eat.  They hung out together in the Band Room awaiting the words "let's roll."  Those words came from Mr. Burdick-Rutz at 12:30 PM.   No sooner were they spoken when the main receptionist at Great Oak announced to our campus:  "Attention all members of the Spirit of Great Oak Band, it is now time to report to the Buses for your trip to Fresno for the Band Championships.  Great Oak High School wishes you luck, and safe travels."

Our travels began without any hitches.  The students were well organized and eager to load.  The Drivers were friendly and happy to assist the students with loading their luggage.  What awaited them when they loaded the buses was plush, comfortable seats; large storage compartments; and the hit of the 6 hour drive  - The DVD Player's.  Movies ranged from "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang;"  "Up;"  "Star Trek;" and the classic - "Sandlot".

After successfully traversing the Grapevine, the Buses took a restroom pit stop.  All of the students were relieved to stretch, and experience the cold winds that were blowing through the Central Valley.  As surprising as the cold temperature was, it was just as refreshing.

The next stop was only a movie away:  Tulare, CA.  Many of the students spread out to different restaurant options including the typical fast food choices.  Unique, however, was the "Sonic Burger" Drive In.  Petre, the lead bus driver (Bus #1, the "Red Group"), quipped "You think they would mind if I pulled in to order for everyone?"

It was only an hour from Tulare to Fresno to arrive at the Country Inn & Suites.  There were a handful of Band Fans (Family members traveling separately) eager to greet us as the Buses rolled into the Parking Lot.  The Hotel was well organized and ready for our arrival.  Room captains were given the instructions and their key cards.  All of the students settled into their rooms, and the hallways and the pool within minutes.  The leadership meets at 9:30 PM.  The Chaperones meet at 10:00 PM.  Curfew is at 10:30 PM.

Championships Weekend is in full swing.  More news tomorrow morning following Breakfast (7-10 AM).  All have arrived safely.  We are happy to be here, but truly the kids are missing you. Goodnight Spirit Band Families.

Saturday, Nov. 21st

Perhaps a few herds of elephants was all they brought with them?  Other than that, The Students and Chaperones have been receiving many compliments for their well mannered behavior at the Hotel.  The Burdick-Rutz family is sleeping on the first floor, and is certain the room above them either has a herd of elephants or sledge hammers for the floor.

The breakfast provided by the hotel is quite nice.  Eggs, Bacon, Waffles, Toast, Muffins, Fresh Fruit, Juices, Coffee...Quite an assortment.  Mrs. Burdick-Rutz took a photo of a student who brought his own accessories to breakfast:  skittles, and gummy worms.  Ahhh, to be young again.

Mr. Burdick-Rutz noted that many of the students are a bit more grumpier than their usual selves (at school).  Their typical happy demeanor has been replaced with a realistic lack of good rest.  They will be good and tired when they return home.  :)

The Bus loading begins at 10 AM, and we depart for MORE food at 10:45 AM. The Restaurant is called "Sweet Tomatoes," and is very similar to Souplantation.  While our timing there is close to breakfast, it guarantees sustenance to students that didn't have enough breakfast.  

We go into warm-ups for our most important Performance for the Spirit of Great Oak this fall at Buchanon High School (Clovis, CA).  Warm-ups begin at 12:30 PM.  Our Performance time is 3:30 PM.  It's 10 AM.  Time to load. Wish us Good luck, and Great (Oak) Skill.

WOW!  The Spirit Band & Guard has their best show of the season at the Western Band Association Semi-Final Championships.  A comment from Mr. Burdick-Rutz:  "This was the best show yet played by the Spirit of Great Oak Marching Band in our six years as a school."  The members were deservedly happy with their performance.  In the second movement, one of the parents noted:  a flock of black birds flew in spiraling circles in the distance. 

The Band & Guard has since returned to the hotel to change for the evening. and prepare for Dinner at DiCippros Italian Restaurant in Old Town Clovis.  Then we will return to the Stadium to watch the 5A (largest) Bands.  Performing in exhibition this evening is Fresno St. University and Riverside Community College. 

Sunday, Nov. 22nd

Today the band and guard began packing, loading and departing the Hotel around 10 AM.  After each of the rooms went through their own check-out process, we bid farewell to the hospitable Country Inn & Suites. We returned to Buchanon High School to watch an hour of performances.  Despite the educational purposes of returning, it was difficult to to drive past the bands already warming-up as we made our way to the parking area. 

After watching a handful of Bands from the 1A, 2A, and 3A Divisions, and getting in some shopping at the vendors, the students returned to the buses to pick up a sack lunch consisting of a sub sandwich, chips, fruit snacks, and a push pop.  Some enjoyed their lunch on the front lawn of the school, others enjoyed them while watching the RCC Drum Line warm-up. 

Eventually all of the Band members made it inside the quad to watch the Horn Line and Drum Line of the RCC Marching Tigers go through their warm-ups.  Most notable was one of the center snare drummers that many of the students and parents watched as a Sr. at Ayala High School; and then a member of the Pulse Winter Drum line last year; and now on the RCC Snare Line.  She is one of the most animated, energetic and talented players we've all seen.  It has been fun to watch her evolve through the ranks of some talented Drum Lines. 

Following the warm-ups we left the Buchanon High School Parking lot, saying goodbye to some friends we met along the way including Zach, a member of the Pacific Crest Drum Corps that came to meet Hannah Kinley (Spirit Band Horn Captain). The band world, is definitely a small world.

With movies to entertain, songs to sing, and an hour dinner break the students fit in several more memories along the way.  The seniors made a splash by squeezing in a Senior prank in the McDonald's Parking lot.  Mr. Burdick-Rutz was doused in shaving cream.  Very cute, yet clearly obvious that none of the pranksters had ever sprayed shaving cream in their own eyes. 

We reached GOHS at 8:30 PM.  It was a fast unload.  Students were whisked away in their family vehicles.  It was as if everyone was headed "over the river and through the woods."  But not before one of the most memorable trips of their High School Days.   Everyone returning home safe was our ultimate success.  But the still shot, or photograph that will always remain in my mind is the swirling blackbirds in movement II of the Performance at Veterans Stadium on Saturday.  A Picture Perfect moment that summarized a haunting year of  "The Raven."

"The Raven," has been educational, entertaining and a fun ride for all of us.  We will perform it again, for recording purposes, and for the purposes of sharing our students talents with those that we will play for at the Holidays. 

I am happy with our Finals Competition.  Our show was great.  Our season in one word: Amazing.  I am grateful to each of you.  The Poem, "The Raven," will always have a special place in my heart.  

On behalf of the Great Oak Community, Edgar Allan Poe enthusiasts, Parents, Band Staff, and Spirit Band Fans - thank you to the 2009-10 edition of the Spirit of Great Oak. 

Mr. Burdick-Rutz