Author: Benford

Summer Band

Well, it’s starting all back up again.

I’ve had a nice amount of down time and partying this summer (see my MySpace photos albums for the most recent) so I’m really ready to head back into the grind of band. I’m kinda bummed that the cooler weather we’ve had all summer is now over (just the right timing, huh?) but really, it wouldn’t be the same summer band without blazing sun hitting us all day long. And the rain would really hinder us from getting a lot done outside.

So, we started yesterday with our First Annual Family Picnic and today starts our first day of Leadership Camp. Yeah, I know it’s Sunday but with the district’s staff development starting when it does, we have to start leadership today in order to get in at least a week of all day rehearsals. Most of the kids will be able to make it and the ones that can’t make it today can just watch the videos. I’m not going to post them on my YouTube, though because some of the sessions are very unique to our group and it’s fun to have trade secrets (or something). 😉

Just a little *sigh* to the end of my summer and a big *Hooray* to the beginning of another exciting year of band!!! Go Tigers!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Relax. This is a NO SPOILERS post.
http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=thebigbenfors-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0545010225&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=72E96A&f=ifr I just finished my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and it was an amazing book. I can’t believe that the series is now over…it’s kind of a sad moment, actually. And to think that J.K. Rowling has managed to write this whole series without even one paragraph feeling “phoned in”. It all came from her heart and brains…amazing.

If you haven’t read the series, I highly recommend it. It’s more than just a children’s book because it reminds us what it means to use our powers for good and not evil. Yeah, I know not all of us can have magic wands (I have three four wands…batons…in my desk and none have performed any magic yet) and are able to cast spells but these books are about so much more than that. It’s about friendship, loyatly and faith in others. Good stuff. If you have read the final book and want to talk, let me know. There are parts I need to go back and read again ’cause it got so chaotic, ya know?

Okay, no spoilers. Just go read it.

That’s TWO, baby!!

So, being elected to Secretary of IAJE, Texas is proving to be quite a positive for me and my school. Thursday’s Williamson County edition of the Austin American Statesman is going to run an article about my jazz program at SPHS. Some of the details are incorrect (Tiger Tunes Tuesdays have nothing to do with jazz band) but still, it’s a positive plug for what we’re doing at SPHS and that’s what matters. So, you can read the article here. You may have to sign up to read it but you don’t have to subscribe to any newsletters or pay for anything. Cool, huh?