Every Thursday after school I have Baton Club practice along with my friends Susan and Raychel. I guess this year Jennifer and Robyn decided to do other things, 'cos they didn't want to be in the Baton Club this year. I had an automatic spot, since I've was in the club last year (and part of the year before), but Susan and Raychel are new. While Raychel caught on quickly, it took Susan a while to be able to twirl the baton without dropping it when she walked, but she's super at it now. We practice in the school auditorium from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.
Mrs. Taylor says we should wear jeans and sneakers to practice, so we'll be able to move comfortably. I remember when Sunny tried out when Baton Club first started, she stumbled a lot because she wore platforms. Platforms really look groovy, but they're not the best shoes to practice in. We were doing routines to "Shining Star" by Earth, Wind & Fire, and "Jive Talkin'" by The Bee Gees. I love those songs! I have a 45 of "Shining Star" and Raychel has The Bee Gees album, so sometimes we get together and practice at each other's houses.
It's a lot of work dancing and twirling, moving together and remembering all the steps. There are 3 basic styles of twirling we use; the basic twirl, the figure 8, and the double handed twirl. We don't throw them up in the air or anything, 'cos that's for marching bands. Besides, I don't think any of us could catch them anyway! *giggle*
I really love being in Baton Club! It's so much fun, and my mom says it's good exercise, and it helps my coordination (wow, that's one of my vocabulary words this week!). Do people still twirl in the future? Are there still Baton Clubs in schools? Or maybe twirling in Marching Bands? I hope so. I would want everybody to have as much fun as I have every Thursday after school.
Until next time future readers,
Your friend,
Julie Newman
In the future it's not as popular, but there are still people doing it. When I was growing up we had batons in all difference sizes because my sisters and I really enjoyed it. Looks like you have fun too!
ReplyDeleteReally? I bet if more people tried doing it, it would get popular again. When I went to the toy store to buy my baton, there were different sized batons. Mrs. Taylor says you find the right size for you by stretching out your arm, putting the small tip under your arm. If your middle finger just hangs over the large tip at the other end, then it fits!
DeleteYup, that's exactly how we picked ours out too! It was kind of nice that we were several years apart so as we each grew, you didn't always have to go buy a new one. Since I was the youngest, I ended up with them all, hee hee.
DeleteJulie,
ReplyDeleteOur highschool band has a flag twirling corp but no batons. The girls wear shiny leotards and run all over the football field waving and tossing their flags in sinc with the tune the band has chosen.
Fawn
Flag twirling? Wow! I bet that's harder than twirling batons! That would be a groovy thing to see!
DeleteWhen I was in school, I was a Flagette. We twirled flags. My aunt twirled batons with fire in the big parade in Miami, Florida. She also taught baton . I still remember most of my routine from 53 years ago!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Your aunt twirled batons with FIRE on the tips? Far out! I can't wait to tell Susan and Raychel about that! Since you twirled both flags and batons, which do you think is harder? I think it would be flags, 'cos they're bigger.
DeleteYou know, I really don't remember anything about the Flagettes. I was in it just a short time, then we moved . I loved baton twirling!!!
ReplyDeleteMolly: I've never done that! I'm gonna try!
ReplyDeleteGroovy! It's really fun and super easy once you get the hang of it.
DeleteWe have flags. & I am your age I did flags last year & the are like to your shoulder some time bigger. I could throw them up in the air twirling & catch it. We got to perform INSIDE. Don't feal shy bout it Try trowing it in the air & catch it. it may hurt at first but you'll get the hang of it. It really is far out
ReplyDelete