Klarinet Archive - Posting 000457.txt from 2004/11

From: Oliver Seely <oseely@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Clarinets - Identification markings etc.,
Date: Fri, 12 Nov 2004 12:17:44 -0500

As people are still posting on this thread, I can't resist getting in my
two cents worth. I sent a private message to Kathy and this is what I
wrote (I've corrected a few inaccuracies which were in the original):

I assume you're writing from the U.S. If not, then what I write is only
partially true. There have been so many draconian budget cuts in recent
years in our public schools, often from the music budgets, that in my
opinion the music teachers are the secular saints of our society and
culture. They teach 5 courses a day sometimes with 40-60 students and
hardly have time to breathe. The instrumental music courses have to be the
most nerve-wracking what with excessive enthusiasm, loud blasts, musical
hi-jinks and lots of out of tune playing. For a band and/or orchestra
teacher to be able to keep his/her cool throughout the day is almost too
much to ask. Anyway, here was a situation which was simply another
frustration of the day. At least your daughter got her instrument back!

Kids constantly do insensitive things like you describe. One simply has to
put one's son or daughter on guard at all times. What happened to your
daughter is pretty typical for someone not by habit being vigilant about
the well-being of her instrument. Your advice to her was right on
target. At least when the clarinet is in the locker there is an added
level of security. It seems to me that ought to do the trick. I don't
think I'd ask her to carry it around with her all day. As for an
additional lock, you can probably find a case with something like that by
haunting the music stores in your area.

When my Dad spent $95 around 1950, when I was 11, on a used Penzel Mueller
for me I was astounded. He hadn't ever spent money like that on me. So I
had a sense of dread that that instrument might be stolen and I kept it
either locked up or in full view at all times. I still do. When I play
with the band which augments the 1812 overture once a year at the Verizon
Amphitheatre I worry about my case sitting alone backstage. There is a
great line in "The Music Man," where Professor Harold Hill looks at the
little kid who lisps and who has just been presented a trumpet by the
professor who says something to the effect of, "That's your instrument,
son. Don't forget it!" When I first saw the movie I remember thinking,
"Whoever wrote that line knew exactly what he was talking about." I
identified immediately with the professor and his admonition to the kid.

Good luck!

Oliver

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