Thursday, August 04, 2005
I was just thinking about my old band days. I miss band. But I can't go back-even to join the Hart House Concert Band...mostly because I'm sooo out of shape with playing now and couldn't possibly compete against the other Alto players...no longer. Besides, it wouldn't be the same. Not without old Brennan as the conductor!
I have only my memories left. Never again will that group of people ever play concert band together. Nor can the moments and laughter ever be experienced again. Only as memories. Sniff. Here are some of the major pieces we played over the years I was there. When I listen to them, Ever bar of music reminds me of the thoughts I had when I played them myself. I can still see the rehersals, the performances, the people, and the moments shared between all of it. Meeeemmmoooorriiess. It's just gonna get weirder as I get older. When you're young, you don't think on memories as if they were events dear to your heart that you can never relive. You just live. I find that once I hit a certain age, I started reflected and feeling a certain saddness towards years gone by. So enjoy your university years to the fullest, because one day you're going to miss those late nights, the stress, and the memories surrounding every little thing!
Anyway, enjoy the music!
Nathan Hale Trilogy by ...I forget. Grade 9, Intermediate Band, omg those were the days. Me and Cam all-stars on alto sax. Funny how we started out as rivals to each other, secretly wanting to outdo the other, and then by the end of highschool, ended up as awesome friends for life. This piece we played at Music Fest in Toronto-that was a great band trip and the piece was so memorable.
First Suite in Eb by Holst My first year in Senior Band-and I started on the Bari Sax! So that bass line was me!!! And that was the best band year I can recall. The Chicago Band trip was so memorable. Remember Kerri!?
...I think I recall playing this piece as well, but I forget what it was for:
Exaltation It was snappy.
El Camino Real by Alfred Reed. This one was a real treat to play-and my first year on Alto for the senior band. I really shone that year. My skill was the best it had ever been (and will be ever again, sadly). I loved the speed and the intensity (I think we played it a little faster than this band). I remember one section...an entire page of 16th runs. I think I almost passed out from it! And omg, is that the clarinet section I hear at the end? Eh, dan? ah hah.
Persis by James Hosay Okay, wow-wow-wow-wow, Did I EVER regret not staying in Senior Band as an Alto for this one! I decided I had enough time and joined as percussion, the bass drum, for this amazingly intense piece. My part was really weird and hard to count. During rehersals people laughed at me as I counted it out silently-but i nailed it so hah! We also played, Parade of the Tall Ships It's a lovely tune rich with french horn parts but god I've never heard it played properly before. THis is just a clip of it because the full version I found was even worse than the quality of our band when we played it! haha
Sigh. I miss band!!! And the one year I don't join Hart House Concert Band, they played the one piece I was dying to play: Armenian Dances!! :( It had the most amazing alto solo.
Anyway, good old memories.
