Our middle school band spent this past weekend at a band festival in Oahu. They had a great time. They wanted to play their music for their parents, but after being part of a mass band over the weekend, the director wanted to boost their sound a little. She invited staff members to join in a home concert.
I wanted to help, but it’s been years since I played an instrument other than a keyboard. The director found a solution: percussion! Woo hoo! I played crash cymbals, bass drum, and cowbell. It was really fun. The kids sounded great, and the home concert was a wonderful success.
I didn’t play on one of the songs. I was able to take a picture:
A view from the back.
And of course I had to take a picture of the cowbell. The picture was staged.
Cool!
During the after school practices, we were always joking about the cow bell. We said “More cow bell!” It was funny, but we couldn’t remember why. I went looking on the internet and found out. It’s from Saturday Night Live. Ha!
Very nice! Glad to see you still flexing your instrumental muscle a bit, sir. By the way, I got the title immediately – I’m that old.
…and this is exactly how old I am: I remember that SNL skit when it was first performed; can still picture Will Farrell and Ana Gasteier as the two music teachers, too.
Speaking of classic SNL: while trying to introduce the joy of the dichotomous key to biology this past week, I used the analogy “I’m Chevy Chase – and you’re not.” Fell flat, of course, because (did I say this already?) I’m THAT old and was the only one in the room who knew what the heck I was reflecting on. Sigh.
“I gotta fever and the only prescription is more cowbell!” I can’t believe you got to really play it!! So, so jealous and happy for you!
Were you in middle school band yourself? Did you find yourself having any flashbacks?
I think I was in middle school band, but I have no memory of it. Instead, I was flashing back to high school. I played the baritone. I wasn’t very good. It was glorious.
Yay for successful concerts!! I hope you played more cowbell like Will Ferrells 2nd take. Haha! That was hilarious!
I love that skit. It was one of those skits that had me laughing for days. Jumping in to help had to be a fun experience, and the kids probably loved having you play with them.
You know it is a snow day in Baltimore, don’t you?
And even I got the whole day off. So where’s the snow? I ask you WHERE’S the snow? I did so want a day filled with the beauty of the white stuff.