He observed the band marching at the Homecoming parade last week and reminded them “this is a good time to practice your straight-line marching. That’s the way to go flutes.”
“I challenge them individually to do practice walking to the practice field, at practice and going through the halls to classes,” Norman said.
The three competitions – Boiling Springs Invitational, Byrnes Tournament of Bands, and Chesnee Eagle Classic – are “preseason” as Norman likes to all anything before the Upper State competition, which begins Saturday.
Nineteen bands will perform Saturday at Byrnes High School for nine positions to qualify for the state championships Oct. 27 at Batesville-Leesville. The draw has Blue Ridge at 4:30 p.m., Greer at 4:45 and Union County at 5 o’clock. They will be the last three bands to perform before the awards presentation at 5:30 p.m.
Norman gave a capsule look at the band’s performances this “preseason”.
Sept. 29
Boiling Springs Invitational
Second in Class
Best Percussion
“We had a bad day. During warm-ups we were the band fartherest away from the school. We got a call they had cleared the stadium because of storms nearby. We no sooner got the call than the rain poured on us … we got drenched.
“We finished second in class and best percussion. The flags, for the Color Guard were soaked and the kids were soaked. We didn’t have a chance to get back on the bus.
“I saw it in the kids’ eyes. It was over and done before we got started. The Monday after the competition I told them, ‘now, let’s put it behind us.’”
Oct. 6
Byrnes Tournament of Bands
Won Best of Class
Best Drum Major in Class
Best Drum Line
Best Color Guard
“We were third for the overall highest points for the day.
“The funny thing about that was we had just finished a fundraiser and I told them they could Silly String me if we won. We were facing some good competition. I was listening to the scores and when they announced Pendleton second, I thought, ‘uh oh’ and I knew what was coming.
“The kids were focused and they did a great job. Boiling Springs was the start of change for us. It really started at the North Greenville exhibition. They came out on fire at North Greenville. It was exciting. Then we had everything go bad that could but I thought they handled the stress well.”
Oct. 13
Chesnee Eagle Classic
2nd Best of Class (Pickens was first)
Best Color Guard
Best Percussion
“We were ready. We knew we were going to do well. Judges tell me when we begin to play they can’t believe the sound we put out there. We have been rated high on our musicality this season.
“It was the best program, band and color guard, we have put out there this year.”