Musing -- on the editor's mind

I contributed to the overflow crowd at the all school band and choir concert two weeks ago.

There weren’t 76 trombone and no attempt at a parade of any size, but all 51 fifth graders were on stage at the start. That is quite an accomplishment and one in which everyone involved can be rightly proud.

We are fortunate to have a school district that makes available a musical instrument to every student wanting to be in the band. That is quite a commitment as well as an expense.

No, actually, first, we are fortunate the school district hired McKenzie Clark as director of bands and choirs. What a joy to see how joyful he is with his students, how compassionate and caring he is for the students. I especially love his all performers bow at the end of each set, his arm gesture leading the graceful, from-the-waist bending done in unison.

That is emblematic of Clark’s approach: all in this together. I will say it again: all 51 fifth graders in band this year. When does any one get a whole class, cohort, gaggle or gang to do anything together? And to play notes, again in unison, after only how many weeks? What a great name for the piece they opened with: “Echo Warm-Up.”

That is exactly what the public schools are for: inviting everyone in to take a chance on their futures, individually and collectively. Who knows what trying the trombone will lead to? Or whom someone will meet, or sit next to, or practice together with? What more can we want, or expect from our school leaders, administrators and teachers alike, than to engage our kids, have them be energized, participating and believing in themselves and each other?

Of course, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither is a band. But what a start they made.

And, if you were there, the closing rendition of Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me,” was just the way to go out – no, correction, the way to announce, “yes, we are just starting, we are in this together.”