There’s nothing quite like being in a band. I was a rock star myself once. I had big hair and wore sunglasses on stage while I blasted out wicked 13 minute guitar solos to a crowd of screaming fans...
Just kidding. The band I was in was the high school kind with tubas and clarinets and matching uniforms. I played the flute and dabbled with my instruments smaller relative, the piccolo. And I loved every minute of it.
OK, maybe not every minute. Like anything, practicing wasn’t always fun. I can’t emphasize enough how much I disliked waking up for a 7 a.m. band practice. I normally don’t function at full capacity until after 10 a.m., and they wanted me to read music and keep time and stay in tune? There was a reason my attendance was more consistent during the after-school practices.
Those long, sometimes frustrating hours were all worth it though when it came time to performing. The journey you endure began with practicing alone, then with your section, then finally with the rest of the band. When you played your part and listened to the dozens of other pieces coming together to finally create a piece of music, when everything falls into place, it’s enough to send shivers down your spine.
I haven’t come across another experience similar to being a part of a small orchestra.
I was lucky enough to attend a high school with a very good music program. There was concert band, jazz band, wind symphony, concert choir, jazz choir, and probably some other kind of choir or band that’s evading my mind right now.
Living under the same rock where many students spend a lot of their time, I thought every school had the same opportunities I did. Actually, it wasn’t until this last year I realized what a privileged music education I was exposed to. I’ve spoken with people whose school didn’t even have a band, let alone the opportunity to take it as a credit.
The thought of music education slowly deteriorating saddens me. This hits close to home for Barrhead right now, with interest in band dropping amongst students.
To any Barrhead student debating whether or not band is worth their time, I can’t stress enough what a grand opportunity being part of a music group is. After you’re finished school there may never be another chance.
This brings me to my next thought: why does band have to stop after high school? I’m sure there are many folks in Barrhead who, although they didn’t peruse it as a career, have a love for music.
Maybe there are people out there in the community who have been looking for an excuse to learn a new instrument. Maybe there’s someone who is waiting for the opportunity to dust off an instrument…their musical talent laying dormant and waiting for the perfect moment to emerge.
What’s to stop the music lovers of Barrhead from forming their own concert band? Easier said than done, I know. But I also know I would jump on board in a heartbeat if one happened to materialize. So, after-work band practice anyone?
