Klarinet Archive - Posting 000465.txt from 1999/02

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: [kl] Celebration
Date: Fri, 12 Feb 1999 14:22:46 -0500

In case you are in the vicinity of Evansville, Indiana today, stop by and
join the party I'm having! Today is the 50th anniversary of the day I got
my first musical instrument (a clarinet) and had my first band class.

It was at West Side Elementary School in Hopkinsville, Kentucky where this
singular event occurred, one which obviously was a highlight of my life.
My instrument was a Pan-American ebonite clarinet. I have never forgotten
the emotions I experienced when I first viewed those beautiful, shiny
nickel-plated keys and that gleaming black clarinet juxtaposed against the
red fake-plush lining of the case. I think my eyes glazed over and I saw
the gates of heaven open and heard angels singing! We used the "Easy
Steps to the Band" method book, and the first note I ever played was a
written F on the first space of the treble clef (thumb only - see, I still
haven't forgotten the fingering!). From that point on, music and I were
inseparable companions.

Very fortunately for me, I'm still as enthusiastic about music today as I
was 50 years ago. And, I'm already planning the party I'm going to have
on the 100th anniversary of that occasion! ;-)

Thanks for allowing me a personal reminiscence.

Ed Lacy
*****************************************************************
Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
*****************************************************************

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org