The 5th Bass

Last night, I was given the incredible honor of playing  "The 5th Bass" with my school's drumline. 
Now, for the back story....

I always wanted to be a percussionist in the marching band.  My dad said, "Drums are for boys!" and refused to allow me to play.  My entire childhood was spent at the high school football field every Friday night.  I watched my aunt play flute, my cousin play the tenor drums, my sister play flute/piccolo and my baby sister twirl flags with the colorguard.  And there I sat.  Wishing.  Hoping.  Longing to play percussion and march with the band.  I had to settle for sitting next to the band at every game, working in the concession stand at the game or chaperoning the band on trips after I graduated from college.  It was the best I could offer.

This is my fourth year at the Fletcher High and my third band director in four years.  Every one of these guys has honored me by allowing me to march in a parade, clang a cymbal, shake a tambourine and play The 5th Bass. 

To be honest, I did not know what that meant, but I wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream.  The fellow that was on the drum graciously stepped aside so I could play his part.  The 5th Bass is the largest drum they had on the line.  I had the time of my life and a few minutes of glory as part of an actual drumline.

I missed out on the parade last year because of a broken toe.  They asked if I would march again this year.  My answer is and always will be a resounding "YES!!!"

Until next time....

Top-Notch Customer Service

George's Music Jacksonville Beach, FL

If you ever need a hand stocking your classroom with sound equipment or instruments, may I recommend George's Music Jacksonville Beach, FL.  I was desperate for more keyboards and keyboard stands which my principal said he would purchase AND HE DID!!

My keyboard classes are large.  In one class, I have 33 students.  In the other class, I have 27 students.  The problem is that I only have 18 working keyboards in my room, so my students are doubled-up on them.  This is both good and bad.  Since "Middle C" sits in the center of the piano, neither student is actually playing where they should be playing on the keyboard.  What they are reading on the staff is not where they are actually playing on the piano.  This could be cumbersome later on if they choose to continue their study of this particular instrument, but for our purposes in a semester course, we manage.

The good news is that being paired with another student allows them to help each other.  I cannot always circulate through a classroom filled with a grand piano, digital keyboards, students, and backpacks, etc.  Peer-tutoring has worked really well in our learning environment and I have maintained that protocol from the beginning.

This year, my administration added a new twist and placed a handful of Keyboard II students within my Keyboard I classes.  This model fulfills the mandate for "differentiated instruction" because both groups are in different places in the curriculum and I am teaching both simultaneously.  I work with one group and ask them to practice independently while I dash to the keyboard at the front of the classroom to work with my Keyboard II students.  This is definitely not ideal, but I'm making it work because I am "Super Teacher" and that's what I do.

The sales representative above is the brother of a student I taught in elementary school.  He's getting ready to head to Nashville to live his dream.  I was fortunate enough to speak to him first at the store and he saw my purchase through to the end.  He allowed me to pick up the keyboard stands before the keyboards arrived.  He even volunteered to deliver the keyboards to the school so I did not have to return to the store to pick them up.  The folks at George's Music Jacksonville Beach go above and beyond to make certain your shopping experience is a great one. I highly recommend them!!

George's Music is located at 912 Third Street South, Jacksonville, Beach, FL 32250.  904.270.2220.

Give 'em a call.  Tell 'em Mrs. Tamburrino sent you.

Until next time...