Stephen Poff
May 12th 2008 - The Power of Music
Today wasn't much to speak of. Typical Monday at work.
This evening Clarissa had a band concert at school. I feel sorry for the teacher who has to try to control these kids. They have no respect. In one instance I saw a cymbal player interupt a song by stepping up close behind another band member and crash his cymbals very loudly behind him. Mind you... it was during a key moment, but it was disruptive and after he did it he laughed and did a little dance behind the kid while making sure to let the whole room know how cool he thought he was.
But then I remembered that the more things change... the more they stay the same.
When I joined the band back in sixth grade, I chose the flute because it was the only instrument that my father could both afford and stand to have me play. But I wanted to play an instrument just bad enough to comprimise with them.
I was very excited and couldn't wait to learn how to play... that is until the morning that I brought it to school.
Every morning before school began, we all gathered in the lunch room. And every morning I had to battle with a group of kids who insisted on tormenting me for my choice of instrument. If they weren't making fun of me they were taking it and hiding it or tossing it from table to table. This went on for months.
I was always a little guy and had no real recourse other than to just do my best to hold onto it and ignore them. Sooner or later though... it just became too much.
I began leaving my flute at home "by accident sometimes". Sometimes my mother would notice and bring it to the bus stop. So then I'd leave it on the bus. Eventually the end of the year came and I dropped out of band.
In later years I'd rejoin and play whatever I could to get into marching band. I'm sure you've guessed it... I played the cymbals. After that I became a band manager just so I could be with my friends and go on road trips with them.
In retrospect I wish I'd have stuck it out. I did learn several instruments along the way; guitar, drums, bass, harmonica... yadda, but I see how good Clarissa is with this thing sometimes and wish I could play it too.
Anyway, they did close the show with a rather complicated number that was worth sitting in the hot gym for. I'm proud of her for sticking with it and for taking pride in doing something good.
May 12th 2008 - The Power of Music
Today wasn't much to speak of. Typical Monday at work.
This evening Clarissa had a band concert at school. I feel sorry for the teacher who has to try to control these kids. They have no respect. In one instance I saw a cymbal player interupt a song by stepping up close behind another band member and crash his cymbals very loudly behind him. Mind you... it was during a key moment, but it was disruptive and after he did it he laughed and did a little dance behind the kid while making sure to let the whole room know how cool he thought he was.
But then I remembered that the more things change... the more they stay the same.
When I joined the band back in sixth grade, I chose the flute because it was the only instrument that my father could both afford and stand to have me play. But I wanted to play an instrument just bad enough to comprimise with them.
I was very excited and couldn't wait to learn how to play... that is until the morning that I brought it to school.
Every morning before school began, we all gathered in the lunch room. And every morning I had to battle with a group of kids who insisted on tormenting me for my choice of instrument. If they weren't making fun of me they were taking it and hiding it or tossing it from table to table. This went on for months.
I was always a little guy and had no real recourse other than to just do my best to hold onto it and ignore them. Sooner or later though... it just became too much.
I began leaving my flute at home "by accident sometimes". Sometimes my mother would notice and bring it to the bus stop. So then I'd leave it on the bus. Eventually the end of the year came and I dropped out of band.
In later years I'd rejoin and play whatever I could to get into marching band. I'm sure you've guessed it... I played the cymbals. After that I became a band manager just so I could be with my friends and go on road trips with them.
In retrospect I wish I'd have stuck it out. I did learn several instruments along the way; guitar, drums, bass, harmonica... yadda, but I see how good Clarissa is with this thing sometimes and wish I could play it too.
Anyway, they did close the show with a rather complicated number that was worth sitting in the hot gym for. I'm proud of her for sticking with it and for taking pride in doing something good.