u/Shelbysgirl

Old woman hat on here. These posts that are like, “I play second bassoon in middle school orchestra. I am thinking of auditioning on snare for Santa Clara Vanguard next season. Any tips?” Are beyond delulu.

Not sure if we are in rage bait territory or I need to touch more grass but these posts drive me crazy. I actually marched and I couldn’t march at a top 12 corps when I was able to because I am not talented enough. I don’t think people comprehend how hard it is to march top 12 let alone top 6.

Look at what’s close to you in open, all age and sound sport. That’s the advice for every one of these posts. Because anyone really looking to march is already talking to other people who have marched and are planning their future. It’s okay to ask for stuff, it’s just a bit insulting to the activity to make a post and expect to be hand held to a medal in world class. That’s how all of these posts come off to most of us.

Most answers are “practice” and learn the craft. Same as dance, dramatics etc. they are performing arts. You need to practice your craft.

Edit to add. Please chase your dreams. I guess I have to explicitly state this in this post or I’m a jerk. I’m just an old lady online with an opinion.

Hi friends of Guelph. I’m helping my friend look for a local doctor. She is starting her medical journey and is looking for a family doctor. She’s nervous because she just wants to feel seen for her care.

If you happen to know any that are taking patients, could you please leave a comment? I’m on Reddit more so I wanted to assist but I live elsewhere and I’m not sure where to start.

Thank you for your time!

Love all the members and corps this year but I want to shout out the Cascades. They warmed my xennial heart this year by playing the music I always wanted to march to. They are performing their hearts out there.

Special shout out to our “wink” guy this year u/CoconutCream311

Toss that bitch to the rafters today please. These guys are my fan favourites!

Everyone here hopes you have the best prelims! Enjoy your show and throw down out there!!!

Send members some love here or on their social media!

You threw TF down. Cheers!!!!!

I remember always wanting to perform Nirvana or Radiohead as a Xennial. It’s cool to see it on the field. Shout out to Seattle Cascades. I like your arrangement a lot.

So did everyone get tired of Crocker bungling up everyone’s intros and made their own?

Cause if so, I live for this level of petty. I must have given him 100000 stink eyes at finals last year haha.

Keep up the great performances everyone. Great season so far!

Hi! I have sensitive skin and I am light skinned. I’m sure I’m not the only one out there. In other posts, people ask about what to bring on tour. I mentioned stuff to help keep you clean and keep your body clean.

I’d like to share it in a separate post here so I can go into more stuff. There are only my opinions. If you find them helpful, fabulous. If not, please don’t mock. Just move on.

If you have tips to share for uncomfortable skin questions (personal area chafing, trans binding in the heat, body hair, sunscreen where? etc,) please add below. If you have an uncomfortable question, please ask. Everyone here should be respectful and non judgemental when responding please. I want everyone to get something out of this.

I’d like to start off with the best stuff to shower.

Towels - Turkish Bath or Beach Towel. They dry fast and they pull water from you quickly. They are compact as well. I’ve been using them for over a year and they dry fast for drum corps use.

Shower Foot Covers - I have no preference other than to use them. For tour purposes, maybe the same ones you have for rest between show shoes and your field shoes. I’m not the expert.

Razors - surprisingly, single blade ones. The more blades means more irritation and can cause ingrown hairs. Trickle effect of field crotch.

Soap - anything mild and fits in your budget. I use Cetaphil PRO restoraderm. Cleans well and doesn’t make me feel filmy. You can also use it on your face. It won’t hurt you. Cleans your areas well. Optional add on to help with bacteria, Hibiclens below the neck on groin, armpit and feet for a couple of minutes and rinse a few times a week will help degrime. Your Face Cleanser - if you don’t have one and you don’t wish to use your body wash, vanicream is a great cleanser for sensitive skin. You can also use it on your body.

Cleaning device - African Net Sponge with Handles. The ultimate in sanitary body cleaning. You can use it everywhere. The handles are great for washing your back. I’ve been using mine for 6 months and it’s amazing. It dries very fast and doesn’t hold bacteria like cloths and other scrubbers do. They aren’t expensive and don’t take a lot of space.

Any other shower products I have no opinion on and may be personal preference.

Other items to help keep you fresh.

Hypochlorous Acid Spray. Make room for this if you can. Don’t worry about name brands. It’s all the same. You can make it yourself, but I’m no chemist. It is great for bacteria again. I would keep a big bottle in your luggage and a small bottle for your bag. You can use it any time any place. It’s great when you are sweaty and you feel smells coming on. When you smell bo or crotch odour, it’s bacteria creating it. The spray will kill it. It’s a life saver if you have acne including body acne. If you are a sweaty person this is for you. It has a million other uses. You can spray your clothes if they get a little funky. Your feet. After you take your shoes off for the day, spray the inside. Let them air out and dry for that fresh feeling. Your pillow getting ripe? Spray. Trust me.

Body powders - Any body powder of your choice will help with sweat. No deodorant or antiperspirant can help you avoid sweat on tour. Combined with the spray above before powder. You will be unstoppable. Powder is great for your sweaty areas. Will help keep you dry. The reality is, you may have to reapply at meal time depending on your needs, but don’t be afraid to. Chafing, acne and itching isn’t worth it. Some will suggest gold bond. There are body deodorants that go from cream to powder. We all have our own chemistry so play around now. Same with underarm care. I would pair your personal choice with the spray above underneath and then as needed do the same throughout the day.

SUNSCREEN - not negotiable. SPF for ALL skin tones. Skin cancer isn’t worth the deep tan. I support UPF clothing when possible, but it’s not cheap. Do what you can where you can. Cover your head and neck. It’s for your health. I strongly suggest Korean face sunscreen. It has modern protectors and PA++++. This is specifically for skin cancer. They are becoming available everywhere. Please take care of your face. Any Korean brand has the same coverage and you need a half teaspoon to cover your face only. Reapply every 2 hours. The Korean ones are small and can fit in a bag easily. I like them because I really dislike the smell of sunscreen and they don’t smell at all and blend in your skin. If you have this, you don’t need face moisturizer and it does both. For your body, please use SPF 50 and reapply every 2 hours. Your body heats up when you tan and your skin continues to develop for 24 hours. It can create a terrible cycle if you aren’t taking care. As well for most people, the sunscreen doubles as moisturizer. The African net sponge removes sunscreen beautifully. It will help you from becoming more dehydrated from the sun as well.

You can also purchase one of those little wash bags and get some laundry tabs to wash your underwear, bra and socks if needed. I know laundry days can be far apart, if you can afford the space for one of these bags, just a few minutes in the evening you can clean some stuff you need for the next few days to feel fresh.

That’s all I have for now. I left facial routines mostly because I covered vanicream as a face wash or your own preferred. And sunscreen doubling as moisturizer and the Korean ones are great for under makeup.

I hope something here may be helpful to you. And as I said above, if you have helpful tips for personal care and cleanliness on tour, share below. Have a question about a hygiene situation, ask and hopefully we can get you an answer.

Happy almost season everyone!

Edit - spelling

The tea going around is the younger musicians don’t think songs need bridges anymore. As a musician and a music lover, I strongly disagree. I’m wondering if you can share one of your favourites songs that has the best bridge.

I’d go first, but my brain has this horrible thing where if I try to think of an answer it flies out the window and laughs. So I’m excited to see what all the music Redditors come up with.

Thanks!

Editing to add as my memory returns
One Step Closer by Linkin Park when Johnathan Davis sings it.
See you again by Charlie Puth and Wiz Khalifa