In the first episode of my marching band story here, (https://steemit.com/story/@jaimusic/urban-pulse-undefeated-my-marching-band-story), I explained how my senior year won first place in all our competitions, giving my marching band an undefeated season, and also the best end to my marching band life in high school....
At least that's what I thought..
But then a month after our season ended, our high school band director got an invitation from the people who were in charge of the 2014 Superbowl Halftime show. Somehow, they learned of our undefeated season and recognition in the state of New Jersey, and they loved what we were doing with the program. They loved it so much in fact, that they invited our undefeated marching band to participate in the halftime show with Bruno Mars that year! It was a once in a life time opportunity that we couldn't pass off. Thus we began preparations for our last performance on the field.
My high school marching band and I are gonna perform with Bruno Mars, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and a couple other high school marching bands in the state of New Jersey. They prepared everything for us. The drill (our performance steps in the field) that we had to learn, the uniforms that we would wear, our communication radios, etc. All we had to do was learn the show and we would be golden. And God has been fortunate on me to also give me my position in the field. My point was almost in front of the stage where Bruno Mars would be performing. And in one part of the show where he would be at the drumset, I was almost next to it... I was 5 feet away from Bruno Mars each rehearsal, and even at the live performance.
Now I'm not a huge fan of Bruno Mars, but I know his music. And to be just real close to a well-known pop musician like him is a really awesome experience to have.
This would be the last show on the field for me and my fellow senior classmates of the 2013-2014 undefeated season. This was a great way to end this campaign.
This photo is of half of our entire marching band.
Here is the video of the official livestream of the halftime show. At the end of this post is actual footage of our field show.
Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the rehearsals or inside the stadium and practices because we weren't allowed to bring any phones or cameras. But there's a video online that shows our performance on the field that you can't see from the official halftime show livestream. Check it out!
This video is from youtuber "knlutton".
Thanks for reading and listening! If you like what you hear and see, please let me know in the comments below!
~ Joshua A. I.
This is awesome! What an amazing experience! I was in the color guard in Highschool and LOVED marching band. Now my son attends my alma mater and is in the marching band playing in the drumline! Thanks for sharing! :)
@j-vo You're welcome! And that's awesome! It's always fun to be in marching band and there are some many benefits to it too. I hope your son has fun in the drumline! The things they do in drumline is wicked! =)