10 December 2017

Tuba Toothpaste

This is the face of your average 17 year old Ralph Vaughan Williams fan.

In summer this year, Titus decided to add another instrument to his repertoire: tuba.

"How exciting," stated he.
"We have an apartment," bated me.
"Make it work?" question he.
"Do my best," intentioned me.

He appears to be making his way around the band instruments to find his favorite... or in the least, his favorite this week. He plays piano, flute, drums, accordion, piccolo, trombone, baritone horn, euphonium, and since it wasn't enough to play half the brass section, he now plays tuba.

Backing up momentarily, who just picks up an instrument and decides this is the one?

Musical talent runs in the family but I also I'm convinced, music I played when the kids were young also shaped brains, hearts, and planted seeds. Magic music seeds (this also sounds like an epic band name).

All classical, you think? There was plenty of that, and operas by Puccinni sung by the incomparable Pavarotti. We included silly songs from Space Ghost, Bear in the Big Blue House, and Spike Jones and the City Slickers. We listened to Brad Paisley and Def Leppard. Took five with Dave Brubeck and let off pressure with Queen and Bowie. Sinatra and Ella stayed classy. Oojami belly dancing breakbeats broke a sweat and Bob Dylan changed the times. Bob Marley redeemed the world while John Barry gave Dunbar a theme to dance with wolves. How could my kids not love music?

Fast forward a dozen years. Titus started tuba in June 2017 and auditioned for our county regional High School honor band. He was one of four accepted in a dozen or so tuba players auditioning.

Last night was their final concert after days of rehearsals across town. The concert was as fantastic as I expected. My son played tuba like a boss.

I'm really proud of Titus' disciplines and his fearless exploration of music. Not only in honor band, but in the young composers program, band leader in high school and passing all but one class due to creative time - management,

"Don't worry, Madre... teacher accepts late work and that's how I had time for A's in all my other classes."

I can't argue with that logic. I can argue with the emerging worst jokes known to man.

"Knock Knock"
"Who's there?"
"Tuba"
"Tuba Who?"
"Tuba Toothpaste!"

There's no moral to the story here but a reminder: music is art. As my oldest daughter says, "When we art we also can brain better." Although, our jokes don't have that benefit.

~Bee is a bona fide audiophile.
Listening to everything