Band Nerd For Life

About 20 years ago I became an official "band nerd". I remember being in elementary school and walking from our house to the high school on Friday nights to go see the football games. In reality though, I was there to see and hear the band. I couldn't wait until I could be a part of it. I would dream of being one of those uniformed teenagers out there marching around. Call them nerds if you wish, I thought they were the coolest people ever. I couldn't wait to march in the band. Ironically, when I started band in the sixth grade I chose one of the only instruments that isn't used in marching band. The oboe.
My family didn't have a whole lot of money at the time and my Mom had a clarinet and an oboe left over from her days as a "band nerd". So, those were my two choices. I chose the oboe. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Twenty years later, I still love the oboe. I love the sound. I love the melodies we get to play. I love a good reed. I love how I can express things through the oboe that I can never say through words. I didn't get a car when I graduated high school, but I did get my very own, brand new oboe. If there was ever a fire in my house, it would be one of my must grab items. I ended up playing saxophone for marching band and jazz band but oboe was always my first love.

When I graduated high school, I vowed I would never stop playing. I have stayed true to that vow. I've played in ensembles, church orchestras, seminary chapels, weddings, and even a few nursing homes. Some have been great. Some have been really, really bad.

When I moved to my current city, I hit the jackpot. Our city has an incredible orchestra! Fortunately, they let me in. It's been incredibly challenging but also rewarding beyond belief. We play difficult, quality music and it is a joy to be a part of it.

Our last concert of the season was just a few weeks ago and I had a ton of solos. Some were really difficult for me. Normally I play second part but when the first oboe plays english horn (similar to oboe), I get to play first. So, this concert was a challenge for me because I was playing first part on a lot of the songs. I spent a lot of time listening to the music and practicing. The week of the concert I was finally starting to feel ready for the challenge.

And then I got the virus from you know where.....

To be continued......

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