Who'll Stop the Rain?

Heard the singers playin', how we cheered for more.
The crowd had rushed together, tryin' to keep warm.
Still the rain kept pourin', fallin' on my ears.
And I wonder, still I wonder who'll stop the rain.
- Creedence Clearwater Revival

And so it rained. On Friday. On Saturday. Now (but less so).

All across the region, band shows were canceled, postponed, or moved indoors. Our band had it postponed, but whether we go or not is (forgive the expression) up in the air. They have performances on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday already.

However, last night we hosted a double feature of two movies reviewed here previously, "From the 50 Yard Line" and "August Rush." We couldn't host everyone, but those who came had fun! So it wasn't a complete washout.

However, two memories came to mind - the 1993 DCI World Championships performance of the Madison Scouts, and the 2008 USSBA National Championships performance of George Walton Academy. I remember that simply these two groups came on to the field in a sprinkle and ended up performing in a downpour. But somehow it just got those kids fired up, and they really took the performance up a notch and connected with their audiences.

Who'll stop the rain? For those two groups, the answer was - Who cares?!

From the 50 .... You Can Still March 4 Music

If you've seen the website www.march4music.com you know it is the home of the self-titled National Fundraising and Awareness Outreach Program for Instrumental Music Education in Schools. Never heard of it.

However, the website seems to me to be part social networking for bands and part promotion for the film From the 50 Yard Line. (Click on the poster for the trailer or the title to go to the site.) I hit the site earlier in the year, but didn't sign up for e-mail alerts, so I missed the film when it came to Maryland ... meaning I may have to venture up to New Jersey next week.

A previous press release noted that the New Jersey screening is of "a professional movie that chronicles the Centerville High School Marching Band. It has been winning independent film festivals throughout the country for the past year. This will be a great opportunity to educate students, parents, and administration as to what marching band is really about and how important it is to our young people. Half of the proceeds will be donated to an organization called"March 4 Music, a non-profit organization that donates musical instruments to underfunded music programs. "

So there it is, in their words. I don't know much more, and so I'll leave it at that. Maybe I'll make this month the get ready for marching season month and go check it out ... or maybe bring it back to Maryland just in time for band camp ...

Sunday, April 13, it will show at Williamstown (NJ) HS at 3 p.m. Tickets are $6.50 ($5.50 for students), with half going to M4M and half to the school instrumental music program. WHS is at 700 North Tuckahoe Road, Williamstown, NJ.

Maybe I'll see you all there ... or on April 24 in another theater for the DCI theater event ... or some other 50 yard line seat ...!