The Concert Color Guard
The
Concert Color Guard
This Saturday,
the Cincinnati Pops orchestra had their first concert. As they have in the
past, the Pops asked Troop 281 to provide the Color Guard for the opening flag
ceremony. So a few hours before the start of the concert, three Scouts, two
leaders, and one mom met at the church to practice the ceremony. They were
Alexander S. (me), John M., Seamus G., Mr. Todd, Dr. Reynolds, and Alexander’s
mom. For a while we practiced the ceremony and worked through the steps and
details. Then it was time to leave the church.
Since the
concert would be at Riverbend, that was our destination. When we got there, we
grabbed our things and headed to the backstage area. First thing, we were given
instructions and were taken to the stage to practice. After we ran through it a
few more times, we found ourselves with some spare time before the concert
started. So, for about an hour, we sat at the air-conditioned patio, walked
around, saw the dressing rooms where many famous people waited before
performing, and other things. After that, it was time to make our way back to
the stage and wait for the Pops to get started.
Finally, they began the Star Spangled Banner,
and the three of us marched to the center of the stage with the American Flag.
We saluted and stared at the thousands of people in the audience, and they
stared back at us. When the song was over, we quickly turned around and went
back off stage. We had completed our task. And everyone survived.
After the
staff showed us where to go, we put the flag back in Mr. Todd’s car, Seamus’s
dad picked him up to go home, and two Scouts and one Scoutmaster joined Dr.
Reynolds and my mom at our seats. The seats were up at the front, and we had a
great view of the show. The Pops played many great songs, and ended with the
spectacular 1812 Overture (complete with cannon blasts). However, the show wasn’t
quite over. The orchestra, after receiving a standing ovation and bowing a lot,
went backstage, and the crowds went to the lawn… to see the fireworks. Yes, the
concert ended with Rozzi Fireworks shooting a whole show off a barge. The fireworks
were so close, some brightly colored flaming projectiles landed in the parking
lots. It was a great night.
Thank you to the Pops for extending this wonderful
opportunity to us!
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