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Katie reflects on her time in the band

The MRD experience through the eyes of a senior

My first day of band camp was a blur. A long, hot, surreal blur.

Mr. Rikkers talked to all of us on the Quad with our sections for the first time – but one comment stuck with me.

“Look to your left and to your right. Those people will become your best friends.”

That day, I was sitting next to the girl who would become one of my best friends at JMU. We have been roommates since our sophomore year, and the friendship shows no signs of ending.

And on that day, my life was changed forever.

I didn’t know what to expect from the program, or even from a marching band that had more than 40 people in it.

I didn’t know that the girl I had been sitting next to that first day on the Quad was going to become one of my very best friends.

I didn’t know that this program was going to give me experiences that I had only dreamed of – including marching into Vatican City for the New Year’s Day Parade in Rome, Italy, leading off the 2013 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and performing a halftime show in an NFL Stadium.

Throughout my entire first season, I was learning the ropes -- figuring out how the program worked. Back in the 2012 season, we had a little bit of a different method for determining alternate positions than we do today, and we called it the challenge system. After one bad challenge, I ended up losing my spot, and became an alternate. Not the end of the world, but still upsetting seeing as I had not been an alternate for the first half of the season.

Even without performing halftime shows or postgame shows, I still loved the program. It was my favorite class, and it didn’t really feel like a class.

I remember my first Senior Night. We had a few seniors in the section, but I wasn’t really close with them. Even so, the emotion that came from that night was enough to have me in tears.

When the spring rolled around, and leadership applications were out, I had a crazy inclination to go out for leadership. I’m not quite sure why, but I did. I didn’t think I had even the slightest chance of getting anything, but I thought, “Why not? The worst they can say is no…”

And surprisingly, Mr. Rikkers gave me a chance as a Drill Instructor.

I went into the 2013 season, excited and nervous. It was the year we were leading off the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and it was my first year on leadership. To make it even more nerve-wracking, I was the only sophomore on the flute leadership team.

I put everything into the season that I possibly could, and it was easily the most rewarding experience. The flute section was more amazing than I ever could have imagined, and they were very hard working.

Macy’s was quickly approaching, and we didn’t quite know what to expect. The rehearsals were long, difficult, cold, and exhausting. We were constantly running the 90-second routine to make sure it was perfect, and we marched around the stadium in circles, practicing parade formations.

The trip was indescribable. It was the most exhilarating experience, and one that I will never forget. From the 3 A.M. rehearsal in Herald Square, to the 6 A.M. call time for the performance itself, and everything in between.

The performance itself, only my fellow 2013 MRDs will understand. Sprinting through the streets of New York City, confetti raining from the sky, and not being set when they yelled “GO!”

By some miracle, everything came together, and it was one of the coolest performances I’ve ever been part of.

The end of that season was partial relief, and sadness. Relief because Macy’s went so well, and sad because it was the end of a season.

The next season came, and I was almost more excited than I had been before. I was once again on the leadership team as a Drill Instructor. I knew that it would be great, because I knew the ropes this time, and was confident in my abilities. And the season as bringing another very exciting trip: Rome, Italy.

Everything in the 2014 season was fast-paced and exciting. Fun music, crazy drill, and everyone was looking forward to Rome. I felt like I knew what I was doing, and I loved my section more than ever.

Not everyone in the section went to Rome, but those of who did go, had a great time exploring the cities together, and running around enjoying the new culture.

The performance in Rome was not what we had expected, but still amazing nonetheless. We got to see the Pope give his New Year’s Day address, and it was an experience of a lifetime.

Playing “Salvation is Created” in St. Peter’s Square, was indescribable. Surround by our MRD Family, we got to play one of the most emotional songs that the ensemble plays. It was the last time we played together until the 2015 season.

 

Now, it’s my senior year, and I’m a section leader for the most amazing section in the MRDs. Coming into the season, I was excitedly nervous. I have a new role within the leadership team, and it’s my last season.

Since band camp, all I can think about is everything being the last.

“It’s my last band camp. My last Parade of Champions. My last Homecoming.”

Looking back on my four years, I have no words. It’s been the most amazing experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Coming in a freshman, I wish I knew that this would be the experience of a lifetime.

I’ve never felt more at home with a group of people than I do with the MRDs. I’m a student whose family lives more than a car ride away, and it’s hard to feel at home. I never thought that when I joined the MRDs that they would become home. Bridgeforth Stadium is home. Not just JMU, but the organization is home.

Playing “Salvation” at the end of every game brings me to tears every time we play it. Again, only my fellow MRDs will understand the feelings and power that come with Salvation.

As a senior, everything feels like the end. The end of my undergraduate education, the end of my time at JMU, the end of my time in Harrisonburg.

But being an MRD – that’s never going to end. Once you are an MRD, you’re an MRD for life.

By Katherine Ann Byrnes ('16), 4-year member
JMU Marching Royal Dukes









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Published: Saturday, November 21, 2015

Last Updated: Friday, November 3, 2017

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