Band Geek, yup that's me!

I was blessed in the 6th Grade to have been forced into Band. Mr Poulsen, bless his heart and his mind and his patience with all of us and our noisy instruments. I loved that guy....maybe not at that time in my life, but I can now say he was a man that taught me a great deal.
He taught me to love music, to listen, to play better and to open my mind and heart a little more. I remember the first time he taught us to quiet down and listen to the note. To see if we could tell if we were in tune by simply listening for the waves that were there. If we were not in tune we could hear waves or bumps underneath the actually note that was being played. When we were in tune...it was smooth and beautiful. He taught me that music can be fun.

I was blessed by my parents to have been forced to take band on my class schedule. At the time, I have to admit, it wasn't a class that I liked being seen walking into. I use to wait till the hallway was clear of anyone and then run inside hoping nobody from the outside saw me. Once I got inside the room, we were all the same and it was okay and safe to be there. I know now that nobody really cared if I was in the band, but in my mind it wasn't the "cool" place to be. The place to be in my mind was home economics, or art, or choir but NOT band! But for some reason every year and every quarter I found myself back in that darn classroom taking that same noisy class with the same people. I eventually found that my parents didn't have to force me anymore....I loved it. However, I still didn't want people to see me in there, but I secretly loved it! I remember trying to hide behind the music stand when a certain person would walk in. Why? I really can't say....but I did! All through Middle school I took that darn BAND class and loved it and loved Mr. Poulsen and what he did to put music in my heart. I started listening to music differently. Started listening for parts and listening for instruments and listening for the different beat. I started listening to how different beats made me feel inside and how rythms could move me. I want to add that I wasn't very good at my instruments and could hardly read music....but I felt it and realized that I could play it after I had heard it a few times. I wasn't blessed with the best talent, but I was blessed with a talent to love music.

I was blessed by my parents to have been forced to play what some like to call the licorice stick, or the clarinet. I think the reason for this selection was because my older sister played it a few times in the class and gave up on it...so like everything else in our lives...I got the left overs. You know, in middle school, it wasn't the instrument of choice for me...I wanted to play something like the drums or maybe the french horn or possibly even the trumpet. But girls never played the trumpet....in my mind! I knew that I never wanted to play the flute or tuba that was for sure. But eventually I learned to love the clarinet. I love the deep woodsy sound that it could bring out and then there was this high pitch squeak that it could pull out as well. The range and sound on a clarinet is beautiful and quite honestly amazing. I loved loved LOVED all the girls that sat next to me playing the same instrument all through middle school, high school and then most of us went on to play together in college for a few years.

Back to present day.....
While checking my girls out of school the other day I couldn't help but reminisce about my days as a band geek. There was this light blue poster plastered to the doors of the school. I have no idea how or why it caught my attention, especially when I am always in such a hurry. But for some reason this poster caught my eye and it took me back. The poster was announcing a concert that was being performed by the Air Force concert Band. I was taken back to when we were in HS and we were able to play with the band for a number or two. It took me back to my high school band career and some of the many different experiences that I had while participating in this class.
So, being the Band geek that I am...I had to go, I had to get tickets and take anyone in my family that would accompany me to this performance. I got the maximum amount of FREE tickets that I could and marked it on my calendar for the event of the night.

The day had finally arrived
and so did soccer practice for the girls
and so did no dinner for the family
and so did Luke rushing home after work to pick up half the kids
and so did me nursing the baby in the parking lot at soccer practice to hand him off to my lover....
so that I might have my hour of sweet MUSIC.

I talked the 2 girls into coming with my by really talking it up. You know with things like "oh, I can't wait to show you the big huge drums that they beat on" or "I can't wait till we hear the chimes or hear the loud trumpets play" or "I can't wait to see the men and women perform in their military uniforms". I did my darnest to make my girls excited to go and it worked! The girls changed from soccer clothes to normal clothes in the car on our way there. We ran to the door with only 10 minutes to spare before the performance started. While running to the door we noticed 20+ people leaving the theatre. In passing they mentioned that their were no more seats in the inn and they were turning people away. I told the girls that we just had to give it a try. When we approached the doors again more people leaving due to no seats available. I told my girls that we would stand in the back if we had to...for at least 2 or 3 numbers.
Once we got in, I spotted them....3 seats, count them 1,2,3 seats all together but not in the same row...one in front of the other and then one more in front of that. We could sit together, but just looking at the back of each others heads.
We held hands for a moment and then it started....

It started with the flag being presented and the National Anthem being played.
It started with the entire audience standing up and then placing their hands on the hearts and singing a song of bravery and hope.
It started with me noticing that 90% of the men around me were elderly men and most of them slowing raising their hand to their foreheads as to salute the flag that they fought for in some long ago war.
It started with me of course with tears in my eyes and just the pure enjoyment of being in a room of people that loved music and all that comes with it as much as I.

Oh...how I love what music does to me. I Love the way it makes me feel, move, remember, relax, get energized, love, cry, smile, ponder and listen.

I was blessed to of been force into this passion that I now have.

p.s. my girls loved the concert! If they come to your town, get a ticket!