I have insomnia. I am always up at some obscene hour doing something crazy. Last night I was chatting with a pregnant band mate from high school who also couldt sleep, reflecting on our high school band memories. We decided to Google our band teacher and we found him, teaching elementary school in the same city where we went to high school. So I wrote him this letter. I realize by posting this I am giving away my age, which is a closely guarded secret :) But I think I can make that sacrifice to share some love: Greetings in 2015 Mr. Bowman! A bunch of your former students got together on Facebook and started talking about you, wondering where you were. So I Googled you and found you here! I just want to say thank you for imparting the gift of music to me as a student at Laurel High. Its a love that has lasted for almost 20 years after I left high school. I continued to play for a little while after high school, but ended up without a trumpet for a while. A long while. I missed it though and always wanted to pick it back up. In 2013 I transferred to George Mason University. I started college late in life and am finally going to have a degree (in graphic design). Once I arrived I found out that we have a pretty awesome pep band -- The Green Machine. As it would happen, I needed fine arts credits outside of my major, and the Green Machine was offered as a class, so I signed up for it, and bought myself a trumpet. It has been the best decision of my life! Just like in high school I have made some awesome friends, and some amazing experiences. I get to travel, one of our rehearsal videos has gone viral, and best of all, I get to share my school spirit with everyone at basketball games. So at 36 years old I am playing the trumpet again! And loving every minute. I am rusty, and was worried I would forget everything I knew, but it all came back to me. I want to thank you Mr. Bowman for sharing your love of music with me, as well as introducing me to the trumpet. Its my love and my joy. And I am so glad I can find the same joy I had when I switched to trumpet from clarinet in ninth grade. I would like to invite you if you to a game, if you ever have time. We would love to have you, and I would love to see you. Just let me know when youd like to come and feel free to bring an instrument, as you are more than welcome to play with us! If you have Facebook you can find me and I will add you, and you can see our rehearsal videos. If you dont visit our YouTube channel. Each one of us in the Green Machine had someone like you in our lives at some point, that started us on our journey into instrumental music. And we carry it on, some of us as music majors, but many of us not. And we do this under the excellent instruction of Dr. Michael Nickens, or Doc Nix as we call him. He makes sure that not only are we a major force at Mason, but that we all stay excited about music. He is amazing, and the only director I have had that can hold a candle to you. Thank you again, Mr. Bowman for giving me one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. I hope to hear from you soon! Charlis Foster Laurel High School c/o 96 PS -- I can still play On Wisconsin from memory. It was the very first thing I played when I got my new trumpet. :)
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 15:08:30 +0000
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