As we talked loudly in our band class, our teacher cleared his throat to get our attention. He gave us the normal concert update and such news, and then told us that the following day: Halloween he would play an enthralling and scary piece. He told us about how the former orchestra teacher had declined playing the piece in the Denver orchestra because it was too scary to be there. Then he told us that we were allowed to leave for five or so minutes as we might not want to listen to it. We all wondered what the piece was and why it was so scary.
I learned the next day that it was a musical version of the events of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. I heard from the previous class that it was,” very, very scary.” and, “Just from violins”. I walked in, and after everyone else was seated, he started the piece. The speakers were soft so we had to listen carefully. It started out very quietly then grew louder and louder. You could hear air raid sirens and the roaring of planes, followed by a loud whistling noise and silence. No one in room spoke at all, but our band teacher made us get out our instruments to rehearse for our upcoming concert.
“Never look at the trombones ... it only encourages them.” -Richard Strauss
My Story | Panel of Experts | Your Thought
My Story
As we talked loudly in our band class, our teacher cleared his throat to get our attention. He gave us the normal concert update and such news, and then told us that the following day: Halloween he would play an enthralling and scary piece. He told us about how the former orchestra teacher had declined playing the piece in the Denver orchestra because it was too scary to be there. Then he told us that we were allowed to leave for five or so minutes as we might not want to listen to it. We all wondered what the piece was and why it was so scary.I learned the next day that it was a musical version of the events of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. I heard from the previous class that it was,” very, very scary.” and, “Just from violins”. I walked in, and after everyone else was seated, he started the piece. The speakers were soft so we had to listen carefully. It started out very quietly then grew louder and louder. You could hear air raid sirens and the roaring of planes, followed by a loud whistling noise and silence. No one in room spoke at all, but our band teacher made us get out our instruments to rehearse for our upcoming concert.
Panel of Experts
A guide to different trombonesA Professor of music on the trombone
Your Thought
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