Present Day
On May 26, 2016, Eastern Senior High School hosted a Battle of the Bands showcase as a fundraiser for the program and, to raise awareness for arts in DC Public Schools. The current band members of the Blue and White Marching Machine went up against the Alumni members of the BWMM. Tony Redz, the host of WPGC 95.5, was the facilitator for the battle. He was cool outside of the "one band, one sound" references. This annoyed me because that's a line from the movie "Drumline". That moie is corny compared to what actually goes down in "our" band. He went to a High School out Maryland somewhere so he wouldn't understand. Anyway, like Eastern's Gym the battle was heated!!! They both sounded good and, at the end I was confident that the legacy of the BWMM continues.
Flashback
For weeks I have been working on telling the story of the Legendary Blue and White Marching Machine and, my connection to this band. Then I looked up and had almost five pages of material. Not to mentioned, its tradition to not even discuss certain things that went down. I might lose a finger or something behind telling these experiences. So, to avoid rapping up my audience and/or possibly losing my limbs, I decided to give you all the shortest version of the story.
During my time in the DC Public School System, music programs were just as big and competitive as the sport programs. Marching Bands were allowed to showcase their talents at every sporting event, community event, government sponsored event, and etc. If you lived near a school with a marching band program, I am sure you have heard or even saw these bands practicing and marching around your neighborhoods. These early neighborhood performances were my first introductions to band life.
Since birth, I have been heavy into music. When I say band was life, band was life. I've been a participant in marching bands since 3rd grade. To date, it is the only activity I have ever done consistently for 10 years or more. Growing up, I joined every music related activity. It really did not matter whether it was vocal, instrumental, or auxiliary. I had to get involved. Some kids gravitate to sports. I gravitated towards music. In the 9th grade I was recruited to join the Blue and White Marching Machine (BWMM) as a clarinetist. Two weeks before I began 10th grade, I was introduced to the BWMM way of life via the summer band program. I was overwhelmed by the size, marching style, and talent that the band possessed. This was not your average High School band.
My rookie year was the toughest. Playing the music was the easy part. Adapting to life as a band rookie was the worst. I wanted to quit almost everyday, especially around hell week. Yet, being in the BWMM meant so much to me, that I was willing to endure mental and physical test that would challenge me in ways I never imagined. In the end, it was all worth it. It took gut I made same long lasting relationships with other members of the band. Friends became family. So when I say Blue and White Marching Machine was life, I absolutely mean it.
!!!! Finally, The highly-anticipated, mini documentary 
produced by 
~~~ Tangi 
