During the discordant stretch of years between late elementary school and graduation day-- the time many students struggled to find their identity-- things sometimes seemed a bit... less than harmonious. It is no wonder that, during the same span of time, so many students sought out an activity that allowed them to have a more melodious mindset. And the best place to find a little melody was always the music room, where the band and orchestra rehearsed.

The band's year-- depending on the availability of and importance placed upon football-- often started on the football field, where new marchers would learn the importance of staying in step, covering down, and holding your head up, even if the plume in school colors on your hat made you feel like you were a walking dust mop. Renditions of "Mr. Touchdown" and the "Hey Song" always revved up a crowd despite the common marching mishaps of lost lyres, broken reeds, and back pain from a base drum strapped to your shoulders. But if the team took home the title, and you got to play your school song just one more time, it was always worth it. Once the sporting season had passed, band members took up a less-active winter hibernation, playing concert music and preparing for holiday concerts and music competitions, much like the orchestra.

String instruments had their own set of supplies and challenges. From calloused fingers to (the frequently-joked-about) broken g-strings, playing in the orchestra was a test of skill and nerve. Cocky newer students could challenge the upperclassmen to see if they could take over the next higher "chair," a proof of their talent--and the loser's lack thereof. The pecking order settled in by the time the orchestra started to prepare for festivals and concerts, performed often in tux-style uniform. The strings sounded lovely on their own, but nothing would compare to the full, warm sound of the combined band and orchestra numbers, tubas and cellos, french horns and violas, violins and piccolos booming out side by side.

Tuning together at the beginning of a class or a concert would make or break the collective sound that came from the belly of the bass, and the bells of horns and clarinets. It was important to listen to the other students, to listen to yourself, and together make tonal compromises that led to sweet harmonies between the instruments, and between the students themselves.