I have finally decided to let some things go. One of these
is a very important part of my life, because it is connected to my heart as a
musician and music lover – my trumpet.
I grew up playing in the school band. I started out on a French horn owned by the school because my family couldn’t afford an instrument. At the end of my
eighth grade year my parents purchased an old, used cornet. I was thrilled. I
wanted a trumpet, but was happy with the cornet. My band director was not happy.
I was first chair in the horn section, and had been since sixth grade, and horn
players don’t grow on trees. When I moved on to high school the band director
at Bridge City High School called the junior high director and asked what
happened to the promising French horn player he was expecting. The reply was,
“She’s sitting in your trumpet section.” Another not so happy band director. I
didn’t care.
My sophomore year I got a Holton Collegiate trumpet for
Christmas. Not a top line instrument, but it was shiny and new. I played it
through 10th, 11th and 12th grade and on into
the years following playing in a band with my husband back in the days of live
music prior to DJs.
Around 1980 I purchased a dream instrument. I bought a King
Silver Flare. He was stunning. I named the instrument Mr. Handsome. His tone
quality and the balance of the horn in my hands were both excellent. I had
plenty of opportunities to enjoy playing this horn.
I played in the orchestra pit for the Port Arthur Little
Theater and the Beaumont Community Players. I played for church any time I was
needed and was part of the Beaumont Community Band for a number of years.
Around 1984 I started a five piece chamber group named The Triangle Chamber
Brass. I made all of us elaborate Renaissance costumes and we played for a
number of events for quite a while.
Alas, in 2013, the time had come for me to make life
decisions. (Many of these were based on what I learned when I put mother in a
care facility and had to deal with all her stuff that meant something to her but
meant nothing to everyone else.) I knew my daughter wouldn’t have any use for a trumpet. My niece, who also played the trumpet in school, did not continue her music
beyond high school.
With a very heavy heart, I took it to the music store in Beaumont where I worked
for ages and put it in the hands of their shop manager to clean, polish and put
Mr. Handsome into mint condition. I had cared for it lovingly over the decades,
but a total cleaning was required if I was going to pass the instrument on to
someone else.
While there, I asked one of the owners if they could put me
in contact with a band director who might have a musician worthy of an
instrument their family could not afford and who would deserve a gift of this
magnitude. He gave me the name of a junior high director in Baytown , Texas
The director had the name of a seventh grader who was
talented, but financially unable to own an instrument. She had him on a school
issued trumpet. She told me she wanted to have a talk with the family to ensure
the young man was going to commit to continuing his music before I put a
clostly item into the hands of a 13 year old.
I will call him Frank because I don’t want to use his real
name. The director had a meeting with the family and questioned Frank as to his
hopes and dreams with music. This young lad spends most of his free time in the
band hall - a clear indication of his love of music. When the director told the family that, if Frank was indeed going to
continue his music through high school, there was an individual who wanted to
give him an instrument that would be his very own. Frank was elated. His mother wept. His father was overwhelmed.
Their story moved me to tears. I knew I was doing the right thing. Instead of
selling it on Ebay, I would net far more by placing this horn in the hands of a
young person with a dream.
I made arrangements to meet the director and Frank before
first class bell rang. Stepping into that band hall brought back a million
memories. It smelled like every band hall in the world. Frank was waiting. He
was practically floating over the floor. When I opened the case, I could hear
him gasp. His hand trembled as it fluttered over the silver. He didn’t even attempt
to pick it up for fear of putting a single finger print on it. He hovered over
it reverently. The director sent him on to first class. His eyes clearly showed
his excitement. I was sure he wouldn’t pay attention in any class prior to
band class. He virtually bounced out of the room.
Through the eyes of this young musician, I was brought back to the day I first held Mr. Handsome. A
wash of emotion overwhelmed me. The last time I played was Easter Sunday 2012.
During the ensuing year I was consumed with packing up mother’s house, selling
it and moving myself to relocate in Baytown .
It was a tough year. I have not worked that hard in ages. I was exhausted –
mentally, physically and emotionally. I decided to make big changes in life.
Giving away a beloved instrument was just one of the items on my check list.
When the director asked if I would be interested in playing the piano to accompany students like Frank during Solo and Ensemble season, I told her I
would be honored to accompany this young person. It will do my heart good to
hear the music flowing from this instrument and knowing that it will be loved
and appreciated for years to come.
It was a tough decision, but it was the right decision.
