Trumpeted Your Expectations
High School | Learning
| July 6, 2016
(This story takes place during jazz band rehearsal at my high school.)
Band Director: “[My Name], please play [this part of the jazz piece].”
(I get nervous when I’m singled out, so I play it rather quietly.)
Band Director: “Now that’s real cute and all, but I want you to play it loud. I called on you because you play it correctly. Try again.”
(I do, playing my trumpet at what I think is reasonably loud.)
Band Director: “Can you play it any louder than that?”
(I play the last measure in a volume that’s just short of blasting. Everyone in the room lurches backwards, not expecting that volume.)
Band Director: *feeling his scalp* “I had more hair before that!”
