Klarinet Archive - Posting 000814.txt from 2000/04

From: Neil Leupold <leupold_1@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Music and Academic Achievement
Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2000 14:50:15 -0400

--- Kevin Callahan <kionon@-----.com> wrote:

> Cool for you, but we still have some of the instrument predjudices. In fact
> the only male flute player we have, who happens to be my best friends and
> was so before I even knew he played flute, is teased immensely.

I remember the only male flutist in our high school orchestra. He
solved the teasing problem by becoming the best flutist in the program.
We depended on him so heavily to play the difficult solo parts, nobody
thought to tease him about his gender. The initial jokes transitioned
into admiration and respect.

> Most are genial, but a few seem to have a problem with me picking up
> the instrument. They act as though I've invaded an exclusive club. It's
> seriously starting to bother me. Has anyone else ever had this happen
> when you start playing a new instrument?

I guess I was fortunate as a high schooler. I took home the school's
tenor sax for the first time on Friday afternoon and returned to join
the jazz ensemble on Monday morning. I received nothing but encourage-
ment and support. I do seem to remember getting jabs and jokes when I
took up oboe for the orchestra, and the drum line was definitely not
pleased when I joined them for marching band (but they're drummers,
what do you expect? Sorry Jay! Surely even you were a little obnox-
ious as a high school percussionist ;-).

-- Neil

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