It’s My Imagination

Baritone vs. Tuba

January 29, 2008 on 8:39 pm | In Family | No Comments

It was just about 2 years ago that my daughter came home and informed me that she wanted to join the school band the following school year and she wanted to play the baritone (euphonium).

First let me say, prior to that day, my daughter had repeatedly informed me of her complete lack of desire in learning to play an instrument.  Of course I was delighted that she had changed her mind as I am a firm believer in learning music and how big of a role it can play in other areas of your life.  What was a bigger surprise was the instrument she chose, mainly because I had never considered it before.

Needless to say, T began private lessons on the baritone that summer and joined the 5th grade band that Fall.  She became a member of the local All Brass Choir which performed at numerous school functions and consisted of 5th graders through seniors in high school.  It was really an impressive sound and awesome to see her playing next to a high school boy.  By the way, she was the only girl in the All Brass Choir, even more impressive.

Upon moving to Texas, we discovered that the school district here starts band a year later and does not even offer the baritone as a beginning band instrument.  I had to get special permission from the band director for her to continue on her baritone.  Unfortunately, she has been so bored in band this year.  The instruction has moved so slowly that they have not yet even played a song and it’s been 5 months.

Two weeks ago, the 6th grade band performed a “concert” for the parents.  I write the word in quotes because it was more of an informational meeting for the parents of the band students than an actual concert.  This is particularly true since they haven’t learned a song to play.  The information we were given pertained to the instruments that the students could switch to at the beginning of February, if they qualify.  Baritone is one of those instruments, but since T all ready lays that instrument, I wasn’t even thinking about her switching.

However, when I looked over at her, she was smiling and mouthed the words, “I want to play the tuba”!  I was so surprised that I almost fell of the bench!  The tuba?  I thought the baritone was big, it doesn’t even compare to the size of a tuba!

Anyway, I’ve received very positive comments from her band director and he explained his belief that not only does he think that T can pick up playing the tuba rather quickly, but if she continues on the baritone as well (which she is), it will give her more options going into Jr. High next year and then on in to high school marching band.  He feels she is quite talented and, I have to admit, he’s not the first to tell me that.  Of course, being her mother, I am biased, but it’s certainly nice to get confirmation from people who know.

So, she will be trying out on the tube either this Thursday, or sometime next week.  I will update here on what she decides to do.

Tags: band, baritone, tuba