The Reality Of Time Travel: Cal Band Alumni Day
Published on November 29th, 2009 in: Issues, Music, Retrovirus |
The show came to a close, the game concluded in our favor, and the official band massed on the field to play “Palms of Victory” and march back. When they had exited, the Alumni lined up as well and we began the cadences that would spur us on. The return trip was quite a bit looser then its earlier version, both from relief and from exhaustion. It was comforting to see people cheering even for the old fogies as we marched by. Then we collapsed into the band room to disconnect our instruments from our bodies and gather our things. That’s when the years really made themselves known—these kids do this nearly every week, and I was pretty sure I would not be able to walk the next day.
After the game, everyone walked over to Alumni House down the way to have snacks and beer. Thanks to the miracle of technology, the halftime show was already playing on a laptop and being projected on a screen for us to critique and cheer for. I wandered through the crowd, congratulating people for a job well done and swearing to make this a regular occurrence. Eventually it became time to head to the airport for the flight back to Portland. I walked through campus to the Berkeley BART station and got on the train.
On the train, I’m thinking about the alumni who showed up to march that day: from recent grads all the way to men (when the band was male-only) who marched in the Rose Bowl in 1958. We all returned to the organization that gave us—what? Skills, work ethic, community, pride, love, music. I’m in terrific pain from carrying that drum, but I can’t wait for next year, because I busted my ass again, like I used to. It’s better now, though, because there’s no pressure to be perfect—it’s a one-day-a-year occasion, and the performance itself is not the true focus, even though it happens in front of an audience. It’s the opportunity to reconnect with acquaintances, and more importantly, to celebrate an institution that gave you so much. OK, maybe also a chance to stomp the yard again in some capacity.
People who have shared experiences (often arduous or at least exhausting) develop bonds that bypass age. I spent hours planning and traveling to Berkeley because some of the best people I know were in that band. And not just those I went to school with—some are ten years younger than I am, but we make contact through this community and have these things in common, as we will with the next generation of alumni to graduate. I can’t wait to march beside them.
9 Responses to “The Reality Of Time Travel: Cal Band Alumni Day”
November 29th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
LOVED this!!!
November 30th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Christian, this is absolutely fantastic – brought a tear to my eye. It reminds me the reason I soooo love running Alumni Band Day. If this day just touches one person, I’ve done my job.
Well, and if most people march 8 per 5. Glad to see that stuck!
Go Bears from the 8 month pregnant Drum Major! 🙂
November 30th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
I’ve done quite a few alumni band days, probably starting while you were in the band. I was in the first group of women to “infiltrate” the all-male band in 1973, so ABD is also a time for me to see all the changes that my brave group of 23 helped bring about.
ABD works as a healing exercise as well. The guys who made those first years really difficult for the pioneer women have all grown up, and apologized. There have been a half-dozen or so female drum-majors. It’s actually a non-event now because the attitude is, “So what?”
I like that. I also love standing on the field at Memorial and hearing tens of thousands of people cheer. I love Cal, I love the Band, and this is one of my little ways of showing that love to the world.
Go Bears, and see you next year at ABD!
November 30th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Cal Band Great! I was performing with you at this Alumni Band. Great article!
-Rylan (Picc, ’04-’06)
December 1st, 2009 at 12:30 am
There were also people there who marched in the 1949 Rose Bowl – a clarinet player I marched next to. What a fantastic day!!!!
December 1st, 2009 at 1:11 am
This was a great writeup Christian. As someone who never ‘left’ between band and alumni band day, I think sometimes I forget how awesome it is to step on that field and perform, whether its once a week, once a year, or once every 20 years. Thank you for sharing your recollection of the day with us & I know I’m going to see you next year!
Sara
P.S. I recognized myself in your writeup. I won’t say where. Haha.
December 1st, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Chris,
Genro and I didn’t make it this year to march and this article is making me regret that decision. 🙂 Great job writing this up.
We’ll be there next year w/our 3 little bears in the stands, and will join you in that yell from the field.
Grace Tiscareno-Sato (‘Bone ’85-’88)
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:02 pm
What a great write up Christian. I haven’t made it in a few years, but you’ve inspired me to come next year.
Lori
Picc 85-90
December 4th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Just saying, I’m keeping track of these names, and I expect to see you all next year! Go Bears!
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