Strike Up the Band!

Proud parents gathered for the fifth grade band presentation. The kids labored long and hard to enhance their musical education. 'Twas the band's first concert since its recent organization. The harried teacher approached it with a sense of trepidation! Moms and dads endured the commotion at home for many weeks, As their blossoming prodigies practiced and honed their techniques. Suffering through the blare of trumpets, the bleat of saxaphones, The wail of clarinets and oboes, the atonal pitch of trombones! The girls were dressed in white blouses and black, slinky skirts. Boys wore dark trousers, black bow ties and snow-white shirts. Each of the girls had a pretty ribbon adorning her hair. Boys had even combed their hair - which was very rare! Teacher apprehensively grasped her baton and waved the downbeat. The program began with a simple rendition of "Bonaparte's Retreat." At the end of the concert a heartwarming thing occurred. The audience rose exclaiming, "Twas the sweetest music ever heard!" Though at times they were not in tune and the tempo somewhat slow, They proudly gave it their best and put on a wonderful show! Was a spark in a child's soul that night fanned into a flame, Boosting his or her enthusiasm to strive for musical acclaim? Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (© All Rights Reserved)