Their Day in the Sun

"It was an early morning yesterday

I was up before the dawn".

(SuperTramp, Goodbye Stranger)


While most Windsor residents were waking up, hands wrapped around a hot cup of Jo, the Marching Band and Visual Ensemble paraded, wide awake, 7:00 am, in 12 degree Fahrenheit biting cold, trying to maintain step and cadence while HJ Dudley speakers blared marching melodies and tempos discordant with their own. What a wacky way to start the day!

Frozen valves stuck open, numb feet, red noses, blue fingers. Some in fur-lined parkas, others in shorts. All still working, refining, perfecting, preparing to look and sound their best for 40 minutes in the national limelight, just one week from today.

Everyone wants to talk to them: from The New York Times and Washington Post to Denver's Channel 4 News, the Coloradoan, Tribune, Beacon and Windsor Now!

Their story, Windsor's story, has attracted widespread attention. Some leverage comments sections under the bands' online press as a foil for political bickering, cynicism, criticism and complaint. But the students just keep showing up to practice, to work, to prepare. The boosters and directors keep fund raising, planning and organizing the myriad of necessary details to realize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And Windsor keeps showering us with support and encouragement. This is a great town. This is a wonderful story.

May's tornado both devastated Windsor and brought out its best. Now, the band and ensemble (and the town as a whole) prepare for their day in the sun.