Reunion Wrap-up: The Power of Preparation

2013 concert band's first rehearsal;
the stalwarts do their best despite
incomplete instrumentation.

The NMA concert band's first rehearsal is often, shall we say, shaky. Many members haven't arrived yet, leaving half the chairs empty.

This year, the rehearsal hall was packed on Day One, giving us, in essence, an extra rehearsal. By show time on Friday night, this band was in top form.

Preparation and enthusiasm were also key to the success of our dance band. On Tuesday night, rehearsal director John Branham organized a working party to set up the hall for our first morning rehearsal. As a result, the band didn't have to spend half the morning juggling music stands and rhythm section gear. It was almost like having an extra rehearsal.

This year's first concert band rehearsal:
a mighty sound issues forth

Even here at the Holiday Inn, our "home port," schedules can go awry. Since our last reunion, the hotel has had a change of management, a factor that, in the past, has thrown the occasional snafu or two into the schedule. But this year, we never had to scuffle through last-minute schedule-juggling. Our reunion planner, Bob Leketa had clearly done his work.

I hate to say this, but I almost missed watching Bob storming around the hotel saying, "I gotta put out another fire." He actually looked like he was enjoying himself.

We all did. And much of this was due to preparation.

And, of course, much was due to the success of the first rehearsal; rehearsals really are more effective when the players are actually there.