Ala Moana CenterStage

Friday was our performance at Ala Moana CenterStage. It was amazing! I had so much fun and everything went so well. Setting up the stage took a while. It is really hard transporting all our equipment from school to Ala Moana and I really want to thank the parents who helped and the siblings and friends who helped as well.

After the stage was all set up and we were back stage, I felt so jittery and nervous. I don't remember being as nervous last year as I was this year. The whole week before Friday I kept trying to imagine the performance and it went better than I could have hoped for.

Iris was so good! The one song I was so extremely nervous about went as best as it could. I actually got compliments on my singing and it felt so good because I was afraid my voice would sound bad. And I also want to thank the orchestra for not sounding too bad either!

Once the performance was over I couldn't stop smiling. I just couldn't believe it was over - all our hard work for the year was done. When I think about it, it's pretty amazing how we went from the horrible performance on Friday Funk on the Lawn to an amazing performance at Ala Moana. I couldn't be happier.

Though this year is over for Funk Band, it certainly has been a year of ups and downs. And we'll be back next year, so don't forget about us - the Funk Band.

Have a good summer,
Melissa

Performance '09

This year's Ala Moana performance was a TRIP. I literally felt like I was onstage for a total of 5 minutes. All our preparation and stress was over in what felt like a matter of minutes.

I don't know about anyone else, but I was extremely nervous. Again, right as we were about to go onstage, I started getting the shakes and the sweats. Trust me on this one, it wasn't my best look. Anyway, we went onstage and everyone who loves us was out in the audience smiling and excited. That was what made me feel at least a tad bit better, and as soon as we started playing I felt like we were back in the band room, only with a lot of people watching us.

I know I didn't play everything perfectly, and even though that is what I was striving for I still feel that I did the best that I could and I am happy with it. I know it wasn't a perfect performance, but afterward everyone said they loved it, which made me feel good. I was part of something that made others happy and I did it through music. Which is pretty awesome if you ask me.

All in all, I would say this year's performance was a success in that we made others happy through our music. Not to mention we were able to come together as a band and as friends.

Claire

P.S. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CAME AND SUPPORTED!

P.P.S. I still have t-shirts (a limited amount) if anyone is interested.

Performance...

The performance was amazing! I had so much fun! I had a voice problem but I think I pulled through. I had a fever the day before and I ate well and drank a lot of water and I got it down for the performance. The only problem was I had a bad cough. While I was performing I lost my voice mid-singing, but I made it sound like part of the song (I tried) and I tried to keep my voice steady but it faltered only sometimes. I think my over all performance was good.

I also learned how my nerves work. I don't get nervous until 30 seconds before we go on. But it goes away during the first song. I feel that the more I perform, the easier it gets, and the more fun it gets!

I also learned that honey helps a hurt throat so much! I was so surprised when I ate raw honey, my throat was all better, but then halfway through, my voice gave out and I had to recover quickly but the honey was amazing.

Well, thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed the show!

Max

Ala Moana Concert...

Dear Readers,

We just finished our Ala Moana Concert and it was awesome. The whole day was crazy. The whole day I was freaking out and getting nervous as the performance came closer. We packed up at 3:30 and went to Ala Moana to perform. We had 6 cars carrying musical instruments and gear for the concert. It felt like we were a real rock band.

When we got there, I felt like the adrenalin came to me. We set up and sound checked and headed back stage to get ready for the big show. When we started to play, the concert went by so fast. It felt like as soon as we played Tighten Up (our first song) we played Breakdown (which was our last song).

My favorite songs that we played were Sweet Darlin' and Iris. Our harmony in Sweet Darlin' was so tight. Also, I loved how the accompaniment of the orchestra filled the song Iris.

I want to perform again. Readers, if you are wondering if I am coming back next year, I am proud to say I am going to be in Funk Band next year (if we have one). So this will be my last blog. I will catch you next year. Don't worry, Mr. Zorn, I will practice during the summer OK?

Catch you later,
Micah G