GR!C: Day 5

Xenia and I are a few minutes late today, and when we get to the cafeteria, everyone has paper taped to their backs and are running around with markers. We soon learn that you’re supposed to write on these pieces of paper what you like about the person who wears them. Everyone is fluttering around, giggling at the imagined reactions to their kind words. It was nice seeing so many girls become so excited and eager to say nice things about their fellow campers and counselors. Everyone I passed offered to write something on me, and I did the same. Then, in unison, we removed our papers and read them. Here were some things that had been written on me, misspellings and all:

“AMAZING everything—related—to—music—ist” “Your very talented” “Great base prayer!” “Cleo says ‘hi’ :)” “Great Band Namer” “Good Bas Play!” “I love your clothes!” “Good bass player and drumer” “U ROCK!” “You are very pretty and nice!” “Your very funny” “Great!” “Last year, you were in one of the best bands. I’ll bet you’ll be in an awesome band, too!” “You are very cool!” and “I Love You.” (I think I know who wrote the last one)

For our last bass lesson, we’re going next door for a three-class jam. It all started a few days ago, when Allison was teaching us how to play the bass line for Shut Up and Let Me Go by The Ting Tings. Xenia’s class, in the room right next to us, heard us playing it a million times, and liked it so much that they learned the drum beat. Pretty soon, a guitar class was in on it too. And so, here we are with nine amps, four drum kits, and now that some other classes have come to watch, about 25 people, in one classroom. 38 strings resonate in unison, 120 fingers work together in some way or another. It’s magical.

I walk over to Xenia’s kit so we can play together, and am surprised by how well she’s holding her beat. In one business week of lessons, she’s playing better than some adult drummers I’ve seen. I am proud. And I am rocking out. All at once. I am in the middle of an “everything falls into place” moment. Every year I know a moment like this will come at some point; it’s been hiding in every tentative idea, every new melody, every time you and your band mates understand one another perfectly, but I find it sudden and moving, regardless. When the music is just right, when everything fits, it’s a wonderful feeling. You are calm but almost breathless with excitement. Everything is new, yet seems familiar. You feel that you are exactly where you need to be and wonder where you will be next, without fear, only with crisp and refreshing curiosity. You take a deep breath in, and a smile slowly unfolds and blooms on your face. Your neck is shivery and cold, but not uncomfortably so. You bob your head and maybe play your notes with just a bit more flourish, a bit more pride. This is why I love to play music, especially with other people. I’ve done my best to describe what it’s like, but I can’t really. You’ll just have to go out and try it yourself.

During band practice, there is a similar feeling of harmony and excitement. We’ve finally got the transitions down, and there are joyful shrieks of how great the show will be tomorrow. We decide to run through it one more time, just to be safe, and...mess up the transitions yet again. Then Darnitrea’s kick pedal breaks, and within seconds everything unravels. Ruadhan has ripped out her earplugs and thrown them to the ground, Darnitrea is yelling, and I’m in a state of bewilderment. Erica keeps her head down and strums on her guitar, killing time till things blow over. Pre-show melt-downs are not that uncommon, camp is over, tomorrow’s a big deal, it can all be pretty nerve racking. I know from experience that it’ll all come together and be fine, more than fine, it’s going to be fun, but there’s no way for a first-time camper to know this. Nothing I say seems to help turn this around, words of encouragement just make them even more angry.

(I think my bandmates kinda hate me. That’s a first! Oh well...)