Perspective from a Freshman Clarinet Mom

They Did It!

One of the many wonderful aspects of being part of Plymouth-Canton Marching Band is the time-honored traditions.  One of the most meaningful is the Legend of the Moon and the Stars.  Here’s an abbreviated version of the Legend:

Once upon a time, not so long ago, in a mystical park, there lived a Marching Band struggling to compete at a national level.  Suddenly, their Director (Glen Adsit) noticed that the Marching Band always performed better at night.  The director began telling the band, "look for the moon; play for the moon; reach for the moon and the stars."

A few days before their next National competition, the Director asked a band parent to create a banner that the Marching Band could "reach for" inside the dome where they would be performing (since they wouldn't be able to see the real thing!).  The parent, using a black king-sized bed sheet, added a sparkling moon and stars to create the banner. It was put inside the dome and truly did inspire the Marching Band -- it was 1990 and that was the first year the Marching Band won the National Competition.

This banner does exist and hangs in the band room at Plymouth High School.  When students join the band, they are taught the Legend of the Moon and the Stars.   

Since we couldn’t hang the banner from the roof of Ford Field last night, the Band Boosters brought cut out stars and a giant moon and waved them excitedly to cheer on our children.  I asked my daughter Kayla what it looked like, and she said the stands were shimmering and the kids were talking about it before they look the field.  Mission accomplished.

The band put on their best performance in front of a huge crowd and reached for the moon and grabbed a big star this past Saturday night in Detroit.  Plymouth-Canton won the competition and named Flight I Champions of the Michigan Competing Band Association State Finals!

They captured other stars as well:  Best Visual Performance, Best Musical Performance and Best General Effect. 

It was an amazing night. It was a wonderful win for the seniors as this was their last State Championship and the first win since 2009.  (Plymouth-Canton came in a close second in 2010 and 2011.) And what an exciting moment for the 54 Freshmen.  Their first year in the band and they become State Champs!

Though the season is winding down quickly, it’s not quite over.  There’s more work ahead and a huge star to reach for – the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis next weekend. 

What wonderful life lessons this band program has taught these children:  work hard, always put forth your best effort, never give up, and strive to accomplish your dreams.  I’m so proud of those 172 kids.  They are amazing.  They are the brightest of stars.