Almost every town has their own way of celebrating the 4th of July. Many cities offer a variety of celebrations (ours included).
Our local Dellinger Park usually has festivities throughout the day (on the 4th) but I am happy to announce that this year there will be something new!
On Thursday night (July the 2nd) at 7pm you can come down to The Depot, in downtown Cartersville, to enjoy a FREE concert. The Bartow Winds Concert Band will be performing a series of traditional and non-traditional concert songs for the community in celebration of the 4th of July. The 60+ members of the band are made up of high school students along with adults (myself included).
I played the clarinet in my elementary, junior high, and high school years. I really enjoyed playing. The last performance I gave was on July 4th, 1996 with the Warner Robins Air Force Band (quite an honor as the only clarinet player selected from 4 high schools).
I had often thought about pursuing the hobby of playing with our local drama group (in the pit band) but never seemed to have gotten around to doing so. Years went by and my clarinet has just been sitting in my closet collecting dust but I never could part with it.
I was told about the Bartow Winds Concert Band by a friend of mine at the end of last week. I was given the contact information and within 2 hours I found myself a new member of the band. As accomplished as I was in the past...I knew that this wouldn't be the case in the present. It has been years since I have played but I knew that I would enjoy picking it back up again.
Needless to say that we had a 3 1/2 hour practice this past Monday night AND BOY AM I PAYING FOR IT! My mouth is killing me (you rest the mouthpiece on your bottom lip which covers your bottom teeth...years of not playing+teeth+under lip+ pressure= the sorest mouth ever) and my thumb feels like it has fallen off (you hold the bottom of the clarinet with your right hand thumb...it is not held up by any other way!) BUT I loved every minute of it!
I enjoyed the practice and the many memories it brought back to me (and I didn't do as bad as I thought I would have under the circumstances). I also have been able to make some new friends...I like this part also (it won't be long before I have them using coupons...that just seems to happen when I'm around!).
So if you are in town Thursday night be sure to stop by and join us! The concert is free but you do have the opportunity to make donations. All donations received at a performance by the Bartow Winds Concert Band will benefit our local Advocates For Children!
Not only am I enjoying a favorite past time...I am doing it for a great cause!
If you happen to play any type of instrument and are interested in joining our local band please contact me and I will give you the contact information needed. savingyourcents at gmail dot com.
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