I'm feeling proud lately because the high school band that made me a band parent fifteen years ago just finished an incredible journey. This year's iteration of the marching band was the first from their state to go to the Bands of America Grand National championships. They made it as far as the semi-finals and did well but not well enough to compete in the finals.
Yes, it's a big deal. This is musicianship and marching at a level that rivals the very best university marching bands. The kind of dedication, motivation, discipline and practice that these musicians display should be a model for us all.