“Sorry Mrs.
Xzypqrbyis, but your kid is the 6th chair flute player because 5
other kids played better and not because they are Methodist.”
“Well
Johnny, more kids would hang out with you if you would learn the value of
bathing and deodorant.”
“Yes Mr.
Khurbpyyet, I know it is 2 o’clock in the morning but obviously your son did
not. Now, let’s talk about airline
tickets and school suspensions.”
One thing I
will not miss about being a band director is having these sorts of
conversations on a way too regular basis.
What folks would like to hear is:
“You know what
Mrs. Xzypqrbyis, chair positions are really just random placement and I would
be happy to put your kid in any chair you wish.”
“Well
Johnny, obviously your brilliance and stunning good looks are just too
intimidating to most kids. That is their
problem and their loss.”
“You know
what Mr. Khurbpyyet? It is the rare
child indeed who shows the initiative to check on his girlfriend’s wellbeing at
2:00 a.m. I see an award at the band
banquet in your son’s future for being so concerned for others.”
All of that
having been said, here is what I think many of you have been hearing: “I am starting a Foundation to provide
scholarships for kids and needed equipment for the band at Houston. I put a PAY button on the blog but don’t
really need your help. Between the money
bushes growing in my back yard and the unicorns that visit on occasion bearing
sacks of gold, I am sure we can provide for those kids and the band with a
little left over to fully fund world peace.”
Here is
what I said: “HELP! I
have placed a button at the bottom of this blog page that connects to PayPal.
Any donations you make would be very appreciated and passed along
entirely to the cause of supporting kids. If you avoid technology like I
do and wish to mail a donation, you would make a check out to the Houston Band
Foundation and mail it to:
The Houston Band
Foundation
c/o Jim Smith
556 Grand Steeple Dr.
Collierville, TN
38017
Donations are tax deductible as we are a 501c/3 organization.
I really like the blogging thing and
can tell stories about band stuff for quite a long time without running out of
material. Still, being that old fart of
an uncle who sits in the corner saying, “Pull my finger”, is not all I hope to
accomplish in my old age. For the other
stuff I do need a little help. There are
thousands of page views on this thing and way less than that have donated. It does not matter how small the amount,
please consider making a donation to the Houston Band Foundation. And while you are at it, share this post with
other old band people and encourage them to join the band alumni Facebook
group.
Boy, was that uncomfortable…..
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