Burns Middle School Band Performance a Winner

I am an active parent who just saw his daughter, Allie, march in her first parade, and I couldn't be more proud. It makes all the renditions of "Hot-Crossed Buns" worth the trouble.

A word to the parents who are just starting this phase of the process; it's worth it. I listened to the screeching and cat calls coming from the computer room for the past year and a half, and noticed an upward mobility at every practice but never actually realized her hard work would bear fruit.

I'm not a musician but I know what sounds good or bad and, for this alone, I think the band director should be nominated for sainthood. Kevin Lewis is a much-praised and respected member of the Burns Middle School faculty and his efforts show with his band's performance and attitude.

Back during football season, we went to a Bloomingdale High School game where the kids at Burns were invited to play. The Bloomingdale High School Band took the younger kids under their wings and showed them how to have fun with the music and how to be respected as a musician. When Mr. Lewis was introduced, the place went nuts, much to my amazement and amusement.

Back to the parade. It's been more than 30 years since I marched in a parade and I have never done it as a chaperone. I was stunned at how professional the kids were before and after the parade. Mr. Lewis held an impromptu meeting of the chaperones just before we got on the buses and informed us of our duties, one of which included maintaining proper dress code even after the parade. Good for you, Mr. Lewis!

We got on the bus and headed out to Plant City for my daughter's debut in a marching band at the Strawberry Festival. I had envisioned the kids snapping to right oblique marches and dress-right dressing with military precision. But while on the bus, I asked my daughter if I could hold her phone while she marched. The girl next to her, Madison, turned to me and said something to the effect, "What if aliens come down and snatch her up? How will she call you to let you know where she is so you can save her?"

Reality set in and I remembered where I was and from that point my expectations dropped, significantly. That's when I started picturing my girl and all her friends walking around in a stooge-like manner attempting to play musical instruments.

We arrived shortly thereafter and disembarked while looking around. There were several other bands and marching units lined up in the parking lot warming up their instruments. I stood beaming with pride as our kids got off the buses and organized themselves as if they had done this a hundred times before. We took out our instruments and began warm-ups. You'll notice I use the term "we" at this point because I felt to be a part of something special. All the other bands were watching us practice and I could see twinges of jealousy as they nodded their heads in approval. While the other seven or eight bands who were invited to march walked around and bleated their horns or smacked their drums, Mr. Lewis had our kids keeping time while marching in place and practicing. Anticipation increased as a few of the chaperones and I laughed as we pointed out which child we were there to embarrass. I know my child was cringing every time she looked up as I snapped yet another picture.

The moment of truth as the first float left its platform followed by the cutest litlle group of 2-foot-tall baton twirlers called the Hillsborough County Twirlettes. Brought me back to Allie when she was that age. Ah, memories! The next float left and my lack of expectations were shattered as, much to my surprise, our kids marched magnificently. I walked alongside Tricia as she was there to embarrass her daughter, Shelby, and we both remarked on the skill level Mr. Lewis had managed to instill in our kids in such a short period of time.

At one point, I kept hearing a voice from behind me saying left, right, left while I was snapping pictures of the spectators. I turned and this red-headed girl was pointing at my feet and I realized I was the one out of step. How embarrassing!

I took many pictures along the way and saw a parade from an angle I had never noticed before. I saw all walks of life from the young to the aged, and they all danced. I saw an elderly woman dancing while supporting herself on her walker and I saw toddlers, with their parents, jumping to the rhythym of the band.

I must say that I never thought I would have a good time as a chaperone. As a matter of fact, I was planning on blackmailing my daughter for having me do this on my day off. But, at this point, I'm hoping I didn't embarrass her too much to where she doesn't invite me back next year.

Mr. Lewis, I had a ball! Thanks, Roy Wilson