The Marching Band Chronicles: Year 2

The solo

It was the second or third sectional all year. John didn't show up because he had work. It was alright with me. Alexis snuck me a few Goldfish before playing (for you brass players, I'm such a rebel), and I wasn't as hungry as I normally was after school.

We played a warmup (F Remington's, whole tone scale, lip slurs, etc.), then it was time to practice the third movement of our show. John played the solos, and like I said before, he was gone. I asked the music field captain, Andrew Dunkin (we call him Dunkin) if I should play it.

"Dunkin," I said. He looks over at me. "Should I play the solo since John's out?"

He thinks and then sighs. "Sure. Why not. If he isn't there for a competition, you're probably gonna do it anyway." He said earlier in the year that if John doesn't come to a performance, "one of the euphoniums will play it and then He's getting fifty push-ups with me on his back."

At first I would take a video, then, I realized he was insulting my playing. I will show him that oboists(I play it in concert band) can play the euphonium too. When the solo came around, adrenaline flew in my body as I played it flawlessly. Dunkin shows no emotion until the end.

"Can we keep her?!" He exclaims. People around me applaud. Being my normal self, I was confused, yet happy.

"Uhm, why?" I said.

"Well, you've done it better than John has ever played it."

Later, my sousaphone friend, Chestnut, turns to me and says, "Stella, did you have the solo in front of you?"

"No," I say. "I have perfect pitch."

She pauses and then laughs in awe. "Oh my God!"

"...And so, De, you need to start tong using that part better," Dunkin finishes.

"Dunkin!" Chestnut says. He turns his head. She points towards my direction. "She didn't have the solo in front of her!"

He stops talking to DeAngelo and looks at me. I just stare back blankly. Then, he stares back at Chestnut, then me. His face just says, "Bruh. Bruh are you kidding me?" in a good way. Then, he continues.

I mess up the solo occasionally and then I say, "Sorry. I screwed it up."

A mellophone, Katie, turns her head and says, "it's still better than John." I laugh and continue. Now, I'd play the solo if John has to go to work.