For all the band geeks like me

Class of 1998 Joined : 09 Apr 2008 Posts : 125

I joined band in seventh grade. I had played piano since when I was young, and was friends with Michael Agee and Scott Nichols, and also Donnie Givens, and I really wished in sixth grade that I could be in band instead of chorus. Then, I made the decision and got lessons and started playing in seventh grade. Trumpet, just like Michael and Scott. I loved being able to blast out the dramatic parts of music, such as Jurassic Park theme trumpets, and also making new friends and going to band camp. Wasn't that a blast?! I loved it when we sang the devotional songs "the Eagles way," as Travis of drumline would recommend to us.

I saw David getting teased by older people, but I saw that from everyone so I really didn't know, but I had a feeling. That happens to some guys though - and it's either true, or not and either way they can shake it off like water from a duck's back. I remember being asked if I was wearing a San Francisco 49ers hat because I was queer? I was like... no. Same dude that teased David. So. like I say, who cares about that?

I really enjoyed the trips. I saw how much band meant to, especially Seniors who were having their last year together after having been such fast friends. It really was like seeing best friends having to go separate ways, to different colleges and destinies. But the trips were awesome - sharing music CDs, eating food or candy, playing a show like pros, winning competitions, winning number one band back-to-back both years was awesome! I had loved Phantom's music since I heard my dad playing it on piano and listening to the original London cast. I got it from I-tunes, and it brought back many warm memories of fun, funny, intellectual, people. I miss all of you guys and I look forward to seeing all of you at reunion.

I live in the Nashville area, and when I heard Mr. Senn had heart surgery, I went to see him during his convalescence. He told me he knew I wouldn't like football, and that he wished that I hadn't left band. Rebecca Avrit told Mr. Bloodworth the same thing, and he told me. All I can say is, I wish I had stayed in band. It was awesome. Good news that Mr. Senn recovered OK but they had to give him a pig's heart valve, the mitral valve I believe.

Of course, I also really loved my section. I loved my section leaders. I loved getting ready to perform. I loved downing bee honey to rock it every time with some natural sugar. We were and are still "Elite" but the whole band has to perform, and we were the ultimate band experience. Let me close my longwindedness by saying I marched three years at U. of Kentucky, got to see all the football home games and a few road games and bowls, and did pep band two years seeing basketball games in Rupp Arena. Music isn't something you do, and then forget. It's a way of living, as anyone who loves it knows.

Subject: Re: For all the band geeks like me Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:49 am

that's pretty cool. i'm glad you got to carry it on through college. you still playing piano?

and i didn't know David was gay, but i don't think i had any classes with him.
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Subject: Re: For all the band geeks like me Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:39 pm

Anyone remember the short lived Red Hotties? Oh, the trouble we caused with our airbrushed shirts under thos hideous blue windbreakers Ken made us wear.

Class of 1998 Joined : 09 Apr 2008 Posts : 125

I remember we had band managers, and that one of them filled in as a trumpet in the 1994-95 school year. She is in our section photo. Others you may remember from that section are Scott Nichols, Hillary Henderson, Derrick Rice, Sarah McCracken, and Lori Phifer. They were all good musicians, and I am glad that I had the much-too-short time to get to know them well and joke and kid around with them. lol, many laughs. My goodness, what an extravaganza it all was back then of fun.

Subject: Re: For all the band geeks like me Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:25 am

Oh Yeah! The Red Hotties! Everybody was so jealous of our airbrushed shirts we got at the mall. I actually had red hots in the glovebox of my CRX until I sold it. Those were the days.

Subject: Re: For all the band geeks like me Fri Apr 18, 2008 1:47 pm

Subject: Re: For all the band geeks like me Fri Apr 18, 2008 1:48 pm

I may be totally stupid but I had NO idea that DAvid was gay. None at all, but it may have been all the stalking secret admirer letters that totally threw me off. Just maybe. And then all the girls he went out with. maybe that too.

Subject: Re: For all the band geeks like me Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:24 pm

Subject: Re: For all the band geeks like me Tue Apr 22, 2008 3:00 pm

[/quote]everyone made fun of me and called me a fag . . . . It was a very grueling mental process and it took quite a few years for me to finally accept myself. That's part of the reason I moved away.[/quote]

It was good that you could move away and find somewhere that you could be yourself.

I still remember Bobby Whats-his-name in our class screaming at me down the hall our Jr year that I was a dike. What a jerk. I still have no idea what that was all about and obviously he couldn't have been more wrong.

I think sometimes people just want to attack others that are different from them. You and I were just easy targets. Probably didn't help that we were in band and gorgeous to boot.

Class of 1998 Joined : 09 Apr 2008 Posts : 125

Dave - it's hard being called names like fag. People use them because of the perceivable difference they notice. They fear (it's a phobia) and resort to exclusion and sometimes physical violence. These people are not acting in acceptable behavior. It's not a Christian thing to do at all. Furthermore, it enhances their ignorance. Western society differs greatly from places like Holland or Sweden where its not a big deal.

But that aside, Nicole I was also berated by Bobby what's his name and he called me a sissy after I quit football. I quit because I had been twice injured in my knee, and was told by Dr. Hannah and later, Dr. Garside that I would need to have surgery on my right patella (kneecap). So when Christmas break came, I underwent arthroscopic surgery. I was given photos of what the inside inflamed, reddened tissue looked like. I told Bobby what's his name and Eric F. that I had had surgery. Eric F. indicated in his senior year signature in my yearbook that he was sorry for "being so hard on you in football. I'm a wild man out there." I totally understand playing the game in a fair way like Eric did. Then, Bobby came into the grocery store I worked in during my year off after graduation and his wife nudged him and he apologized to me for bullying me in high school. I told him to forget about it, don't worry about it, it doesn't affect me. I forgave him and thanked him. He looked relieved. So I think he had "stuff" going on then that came out by acting out against others. Still inexcusable to insult people so drastically.

I think if he used the term "dyke" in reference to you, he was trying to use the worst sort of word, one that others would laugh at and perhaps talk about. High school is full of scrutinizers and people that maintain they are alpha males with no problems of their own, while the problems show through enraged, furious yelling and ridicule of others, rather than dealing with their own mess. Speak softly and carry a big stick, as they say.

Subject: Re: For all the band geeks like me Wed Apr 23, 2008 12:58 am

I am sorry I got lost Who is Nicole?
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Subject: Re: For all the band geeks like me Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:17 am

Heather Nicole Billy Bob Willie Williamson Dano Hinton, Jr. III, Esquire

Class of 1998 Joined : 09 Apr 2008 Posts : 125

Esquire... LOL!!!!!
Yeah, Hurley, it was just the name I associated with her photo. I know that the name change took place, but I looked at the photo, not the name, so my shoddy memory of the name change wasn't prepared with her wish to be called "Heather." I'm sorry, Heather! I hope what I said helps you understand the problem you faced. I had to know him and be knocked down and ridiculed back then many times over, so that was my interpretation of the appearance of Bobby what's his name's hostility. Why didn't I just become a freakin' psychologist? I'd get paid lots of moolah that way instead of typing all day (not that I mind it on here, just know if I get carpal tunnel syndrome, it's no big surprise to me).

Subject: Re: For all the band geeks like me Thu Apr 24, 2008 7:58 am