Marching Contest Day
Contest Day has dawned gray dark, in torrents of cold rain,
The band members wake weary from last night's football game.
It's been ten week's of practice after ten month's of plans,
To prepare for ten minutes before the judges' stands.
Check if the T-shirt's dirty, find band socks, what a chore,
Check the horn, where's that valve oil? A quick trip to the store.
On the way they know they'll want something on which to dine,
Today the city's SUBWAYS note that business is fine.
Report prompt to the band hall, polish horns in a mass,
Lemon Pledge on the lacquer and fresh ketchup on brass.
Warm up, play through the music, it is so loud in here,
Take it easy, save their best tone for the judges to hear.
On the school's puddled car park in the wind and the wet,
March damply through the routine two more times and its set.
Last words from the director, then load up the truck tight,
Everyone board the buses, drive to the contest site.
Suit up fast, get those horns out, and warm up now with zeal,
They have done this many times, but now this time its real.
Clap, Clap, Clap Clap its started, Step, Step, Step, Step, its done,
Walk 'round back to the buses, gather round everyone.
Not too bad in some places, some good marching as such,
But those three different tempos, were two tempos too much.
Load all up, hit the snack bar, with a much improved mood,
Everyone feels much better once they're filled with junk food.
They announce scores at last and the band learns the worst,
It was sure far from perfect, but they do get one "First".
Return late to the band hall, now a brief rest but, hey!
Can't relax now, the next contest, is just one week away!
