Top Ten Lists



Top Eleven  Reasons to stay in band forever
(yes, you see, this one goes up to eleven)
11.    What are you going to do when a cobra shows up in your house and is going to bite all
           of your family and friends?  How will you "charm" the snake without your
           instrument?
10.   "Band" contains the word "and" as in "and on and on and on.....".
9.     If Mr. Silva, Mr. Rios, Ms. Sarabia did it, it must be the right thing to do.
8.     Every time a student quits band, an angel loses his wings.
7.     If you quit band, you might as well just cut open your skull, take your brain out and
           put it in a jar full of liquid bleach for the rest of your life.  Sound harsh?  I will do
           whatever it takes so save you, my friend.
6.     Shakespeare said "Music is the food of love".  Is a life without love what you really       
           want?  Well.......is it?
5.     The Federal Government is working on a bill that would require all grade 6 - 12 public
           school students to be in band.  You might as well be ahead of the game.
4.     Life without your instrument........Life without Mr. Silva.............come on.
3.     Research indicates that among all adults in federal and state prisons, a significant
           number of them quit band before the age of 18.
2.     When you reach high school, the percussionists are in their own class...you won't have
          to deal with them nearly as much.

and the number one reason to stay in band forever is...
1.      The Brain-Washing process is not fully completed until at least age 16
           (wait, did I say that out loud?)


Top Ten Things Band Directors Do on the Weekends
(or at least Mr. Silva)
10.   Think of new ways to make band students commit their entire lives to the band
9.     Practice all of the instruments they play for at least 2 hours each
8.     Go the pet store to hold the puppies and spit on the kittens
7.     Play a game of chess....by themselves......in their minds
6.     Watch Mr. Holland's Opus
5.     Write letters to our state and local representatives about the positive aspects
         of an improved middle school lunch menu - including steak & oreos
4.     Take apart their instruments and clean every last speck of dust and put it back             
         together
3.     Google search "middle school band" to see what's new
2.     Do a little more work on the world domination computer program they have been
         working on

and the number one thing band directors do on the Weekends (or at least Mr. Silva) is...
1.      Skip through the neighborhood park singing "la la la" and giving out daisies to
         children


Top Ten Things to Do Over Christmas Break
10.   Make Fruitcake and send it to your enemies
9.     Translate "The Polar Express" into different languages
8.     Practice "Jingle Bells" in all 12 keys
7.     Shop 'till you drop (for your band directors)
6.     Make your own claymation film about happy little snowmen and one mean elf
5.     Write many letters to Santa asking for ZOINK for Christmas!
4.     Come to the school, peek in the windows, and see if any teachers really do
         live at the school.
3.     Make wassail for everyone on your block, and pass it out while playing "Away
        in a Manger" on your instrument.
2.     Do everything you can to ensure that your angel gets his wings.

and the number one thing to do over Christmas break is.....
1.      Go to the mall, sit on a bench and join Mr. Silva as he points a limp finger and
         says "bleh...BLEH" at people who pass by.



Top Ten Things You Know You Want, but Would Never Admit
10.   To become a band director when you grow up, just so you can do some payback
9.     To drive a minivan
8.     To learn to play shuffleboard really, really well
7.     A mullet
6.     Just 5 minutes with Mr. Rios to discuss the possibility of peace in the middle east
5.     To speak Swahili
4.     To be able to stay off the phone for just one night long enough to play Monopoly
         with your Family.......twice
3.     A nice refreshing glass of Carrot Juice
2.     Houston Grand Opera Concert Tickets

and the number one thing you know you want, but would never admit........
1.     To share a cup of coffee with Mr. Silva and just get to know the real man - his
        hopes, dreams, fears, and yes........what he wants for Christmas.



Top 10 Reasons to Learn the Thrilling Words
10.   They are thrilling, after all.
9.     A good vocabulary is great for making people who annoy you go away.
8.     If it's a word Mr. Silva knows, it has to be cool.
7.     Everyone wants to try and look smarter than the teacher.
6.     You can make your parents think you're learning stuff at school.
5.     Good words coming out of the mouth are as sweet as chocolate going in.
4.     Feeling smart is a good feeling - try it some time.
3.     People with a good vocabulary got ZOINK!
2.     You can earn extra credit on your Music Listening Projects - and you need it.

and the number one reason to learn the thrilling words.......
1.      Some day, you may want to marry a rich nerd, and an impressive vocabulary
         word might get you there.



Top 10 Things People are Saying after Concert In The Park
10.   Ain't no dogs like Concert In The Park dogs
9.     It wasn't that hot.......I mean, no one fainted...right?
8.     If only Mr. Silva had told the "Fred the Head" Joke!!!!!
7.     Can it really be called a snow cone if it isn't in a cone?
6.     Why doesn't the drum line ever smile?
5.     Shade is really over-rated.
4.     I had no idea Mr. Silva was a "tortured soul" - he seems so well adjusted.
3.     I really expected more ants.
2.     Why didn't my kid tell me we supposed to bring chips?

and the number one thing people are saying after Concert In The Park is.....
1.     Bang....Oohhh......Treeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee



Top 10 Things Parents are Overheard Saying at a Watkins Band Concert
10.   Is Mr. Silva's hair always that perfect?
9.     I am so moved, I could just bust into a joyous song and dance!
8.     I had no idea my kid would look so good in a band uniform!
7.     You know, playing a musical instrument is the ultimate blend of mental and physical
         tasks.  That has become quite apparent.
6.     I'm so glad my son plays the saxophone......it's the only way he'll ever get a
        date in high school.
5.     Why did the percussionists always look so confused?
4.     Middle School Band - It doesn't get any better than this.
3.     You're gonna chaperone all 3 shifts at the Lock-In this year, aren't you?
2.     My son can play circles around your kid!  You want to have a scale-off?

and the number one thing parents are overheard saying at a Watkins Band Concert is.....
1.     It is an enigma how not even a modicum of the brilliant, though sometimes
        sesquipedalianistic music education my child receives becomes superfluous or
        perfunctory.  Even when the band program could become so esoteric as to
        discombobulate the Watkins community, it would not behoove them, so the directors
        ensure that sense of community is almost ubiquitous in nature.  
        I love the Watkins Band!



Top Ten Reasons to eat a pickle
10.   Pickle is just so fun to say
9.     Making home-made pickles and then eating them is a great way to bond with
        your family
8.     They make your breath pickly-fresh
7.     No matter how many you eat, they won't make you turn green
6.     Pickles bear a striking resemblance to cucumbers, and everyone loves cucumbers
5.     Vlassic is classic
4.     Pickles are green and bumpy, Godzilla is green and bumpy...both very cool
3.     Anything that rhymes with tickle is fun
2.     What else tastes equally good as both sweet and sour?

and the number one reason to eat a pickle.......
1.     They reduce your risk of spontaneous combustion
watkins middle school band * cy-fair isd * 4800 cairnvillage * houston, tx 77084 * 281.463.5857 * (c) 2006