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