Encore...encore!!! Care to join me?

Inside of me is not the skinny person trying to get out, it is the musical part of me that actually does get out when possible. I have joked with my mom that if she had spent the money [what money??] on music lessons when I was a kid, she would be living with me in a house by the ocean!!!
I have music in my head that merely a word will summon up a song to sing. I was known to burst into song in the classroom, often using 'The Brady Bunch' melody or another recognizable tune while changing the words to what their homework was for that day. I'm a believer that to sing, you need a voice...not a Barbra Streisand voice...a voice!

I was an honorary member of the school's band, popping in to listen [to my students]and occasionally would begin to conduct when the band director[a good friend] was tending to some interruption. The kids humored me, and it was fun. I marched with them in the Memorial Day Parade one year. I still wear the shirt!


Sometimes I would pop into their band rehearsal, and I would ask,
"Anything that I could join in with...tamborine...triangle?" And then one day when I walked in when they were practicing for the spring concert, one of my kids was playing the cymbals and I jokingly said, "I can do that!!"
"Get her a pair of cymbals!"

I jumped up on the stage, stood next to Martin, and picked up my pair of cymbals. {By the way, do you have any idea how heavy those cymbals are??} Well, I was surprised, and with my hands[ somewhat challenged], it was a bit of an adjustment. However, no problem!! And then Steve said that I could play those cymbals not only in the dress rehearsal for the school, but why not also in the actual concert for the parents and guests!!
"Are you kidding?? "I was kind of nervous, but what the hell...I mean heck![Kids present].

When it was time for the last song of the program,"You're a Grand Old Flag", Steve announced that we had a guest musician[haha], and explained that I would be joining the band to accompany them on the cymbals. Wahoo! I took my place [in the back..whew!] next to Martin, hoisted those 50 pound cymbals[ slight exaggeration], and the song began.


The golden moment for me was in the last verse when I was most 'in sync' with my buddy Martin. As the song built up to the finale, we looked at each other and smiled as we crashed those cymbals in unison. Fun! Fun! Fun!

So what made me think of this again?
While watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a large band marched into the picture and they were all middle-aged people in uniform having a blast belting out a song!! They were the "Awesome Original Second Time Arounders" and the criteria for joining isn't too difficult. There were also letter carriers spelling out the name of the band who played no instruments. I could do that!! I even have experience at that!![I was the banner carrier for my high school band.]
I googled the organization, signed up, and they have sent me an email verifying my membership!! So, I may get to join the band again. Watch for me. Hey...stranger things have happened! It's true. Really!!