| Last year my son had the opportunity to begin | | | | seriously, no rings or jewelry while in uniform, no gloves |
| instrumental music lessons and band at school. He | | | | in cold weather. We practiced every night after school, |
| chose saxophone and seems to be enjoying the | | | | sometimes for two hours. We weren't allowed to read |
| experience, most of the time.Last year, when all the | | | | music as we marched; we were to memorize it all. He |
| parents were called to the band-room at school to | | | | had us practice elaborate formations for our half-time |
| learn about the school's instrumental program, I was | | | | shows, we were good. A couple of years I played |
| eager to go. When I walked into the room with all the | | | | piccolo in the band, I liked that too. The director was a |
| chairs arranged for band practice, the music stands | | | | stern man. Julie, Karen and I took delight in small acts |
| poised in front of the chairs, a rush of nostalgia swept | | | | of defiance, we were never his favorites, but we had |
| over me. It was such a long time since my days of | | | | each other.I played the flute for many years, but I was |
| playing flute in the band at school. I, like my son, started | | | | never a stellar flute player, fair at best. I was not |
| playing an instrument in the fourth grade. I remember | | | | interested in practicing very much. My parents rented |
| the first day of lessons, twelve girls sitting nervously | | | | my flute from the fourth grade until the end of school. |
| with their flutes. The music teacher was trying to | | | | Then my flute was gone, given back to the school, I |
| teach us the embouchure. He told us to make believe | | | | haven't played since.As my son practices his |
| we were kissing our boyfriends; waves of giggles filled | | | | saxophone, I wish I were playing along at his side. My |
| the air. By fifth grade six of us were left, by sixth | | | | friend Julie, who is now a band director at a school, told |
| grade only four. Eventually, I was the lone flute player | | | | us that the fingerings on a saxophone are similar to a |
| in my grade.My mother never missed a band concert, | | | | flute. I tried playing my son's sax once; it was very |
| quite a feat for a mother of five children. Band was | | | | different to me. I find myself skimming the classified |
| when I would spend time with my friends Julie and | | | | ads, seeing if anyone is selling a flute. I wouldn't dream |
| Karen. They were one grade ahead of me, but sat | | | | of buying a new one because I'm not convinced I |
| right next to me in band, they were flute players too. | | | | would actually play it much. I rarely practiced when I |
| We were all in the marching band together too. Every | | | | had one.I accompanied my son to his saxophone |
| high school football game that was played at another | | | | lesson tonight. His instructor had a flute displayed in his |
| school, the marching band had a school bus bring us to | | | | studio for the first time. I just stared at it from across |
| the game. We would spend the time on the bus singing | | | | the room, then my son asked him to play it. I listened to |
| cheers for the football team, or any song at all, a | | | | the lyrical, clear tone of the instrument, and once again I |
| snare drum keeping time for us. At the games, one of | | | | was taken back to my youth. I believe it is only a |
| the cheerleaders became our cheerleader, often | | | | matter of time before a flute and I find each other, and |
| directing us when to cheer with our instruments, it was | | | | this time there will be no letting it go. |
| so much fun.Our band director took the marching band | | | | |