Concert Band

Monday is band night. I joined a band last Fall, after asking the director (BD) whether he could use a pianist/keyboard player. He had been wanting to try some pieces that had piano in them, and he figured they could also use another auxiliary percussionist on some other songs. So I gave it a try.

Playing with the band has been exhilarating. It has pushed me far beyond my comfort level. Prior to playing with the band, I had found accompanying a church service sort of intimidating. Well, trying to play in time with 30 other people, with a conductor that you are supposed to pay attention to, on a song that you didn't choose, in an unfamiliar genre is an order of magnitude beyond the church service. I had a hard time getting the piece up to speed. I had a hard time watching the conductor and playing at the same time. I listened really well, but I couldn't always keep time very well (it was fast). I spent months working on the song with my metronome, and I still had difficulty getting the timing right. When we finally got through the performance, I forgot to bow. It had been excruciatingly hard. I was thrilled to have the opportunity. I am playing glockenspiel this Spring.

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