Column #1

Jeff Campbell

June 13, 2007

Dealing with being put on the spot

When I was teaching public school band, part of my duties included leading the pep band during football and basketball season.  The band was organized on a volunteer basis and we were about 12 strong in number.  We had a couple of trumpet players, two saxophones, a drummer, a guitar player, an electric bassist, and I played trombone.  I had never led a pep band before but I had been in one during high school.  I remembered that we played mostly short segments of music during time outs.  With this in mind, I decided (given our small numbers) that the best strategy was to learn short and ‘peppy’ musical vamps.  (A vamp is a repeated musical figure).

Our repertoire included the Darth Vader scary music from Star Wars; music that sounded sort of like the old song Tequila; some type of tomahawk chop musical vamp (our school mascot was the Chiefs, which has since been changed to the Patriots); and--of course--we played The Star Spangled Banner.

     One winter night, I was sitting on the bleachers getting my trombone out of the case prior to the basketball game.  The start time on the schedule was 7:30 and the band was to be in place at 7:15.  I could see the kids in the band walking toward the gymnasium at about 7:13.  All of a sudden the announcer called out, “L- A-D-I-E-S  A-N-D  G-E-N-T-L-E-M-E-N,  PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLAYING OF OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM BY MR. JEFF CAMPBELL AND THE PENFEILD HIGH SCHOOL PEP BAND.

     I looked around only to see me and my trombone.  All the other members of the pep band were still walking down the hall.  Now you can imagine, my mind went into absolute panic mode.  I began to ask questions. “Should I tell the announcer to wait, and the band would be ready in about five minutes?”  “Should I walk to the middle of the court and begin leading the singing?”  Or...(and this seemed to be the best option), “Should I do my best to play our national anthem by ear on my trombone?”  (Remember, I’m a bass player.)

     I looked at the audience, and they looked at me.  Everyone had their hands over respective hearts and seemed to be saying, “Well, do something.”  So I did what any panicked musician would do: I played.

     I don’t remember if I did a good job or not.  I’d like to think I got all of the notes right. And if memory serves me correctly, I did.  But suffice it to say that this kind of event DOES NOT happen at Birch Creek.  We’re a little more on top of things.  However, if you happen to see me with a trombone in my hands, please don’t ask to hear the Star Spangled Banner.  We look forward to seeing you this season and invite you to visit us often.