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Member since? 

Spring 2017

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How did you hear about/find us? 

A printed black and white flyer with a graphic of a marching band and words underneath describing the group. Being new to Birmingham, and working hard to become established, all I could do was hang it on my wall with a thumbtack and hope to get there one day.

 

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What is your musical background/history? 

Piano was first, as a child, then flute in junior/senior high. One summer I played every day from a book of adaptations (one song written in several variations). It was like drinking from a well of fresh water. During college, I studied Science and didn’t do band, but played to relax. Since college I’ve played with worship teams, done open mic, and had a smidgen of vocal training, which I loved. I sang with two groups on the Coast.

 

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What is your favorite “Band Song” to play? 

Semper Fidelis or Chorale and Capriccio

 

 

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What do you do when you are not playing music? (work/hobbies/for fun???)

Music is where I live. For pay, I tutor in academics and do organizational work for individuals on the side. I like to find pieces of garbage by the road and make them new again.

 

 

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What type of animal/breed of dog/cat/bird/fish/other etc…. best reflects your personality and why? 

I once played my flute at a farm, and the cows and sheep lined up along the fence closest to me and listened. They tend to wander around and think. I’m one of them.

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What is your superpower? 

My superpower is making myself invisible. Lol.

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Tell us something fun!  You know, like “That one time at band camp…” Or elsewhere.  (funny anecdote/story/amazing coincidence/hidden talent/celebrity encounter, etc…) 

I had never played open mic. After considering how to warm the audience up to the idea of a flute participating (it was all guitars and singers), I had strung together what I thought might work. The lead of the evening motioned for me to go on and the patrons of the café took no notice, of course. I had no guitar. I was weird and no one wanted to pay attention. There was every indication that whatever I played would be ignored, as the friendly hum of conversation between diners grew in intensity. So I ignored them. I raised my flute, secured an embouchure, and played, “Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Meyer Weiner….” The room was immediately silent; then, people laughed. At the end of the jingle I sensed acceptance growing. What came next, though, was the best thing ever. The song was “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” I had chosen it because it’s familiar. But really? The diners SANG THE SONG. By the end, it sounded like a baseball stadium. Then they cheered and applauded. And I didn’t even have a guitar.