My Flute

At my school when students were in fifth grade, Mr. Schive, the band director, held an open house of instruments.  I don’t recall having an instrument in mind.  Mr. Schive had each of try mouthpieces.  I just remember flute, clarinet, and trombone.  He suggested flute.

Mom and Dad purchased a flute.  My lesson was once a week with Mr. Schive for 15 minutes.  It was 2:15 on Wednesday in 5^th grade.  I was so proud.  Every Wednesday I wore my “best” school outfit.  Now I wonder if Mr. Schive thought it was the only skirt and blouse I had!

I stayed with flute through high school.  I loved playing in band.  State solo contest always raised nerves…but thankfully the pianist was great.  As a part of band we also participated in contests for both concert band and marching band.  There were also festivals with other schools.  My recollection is AHS Marching Band received lots of I ratings.

From friend Miriam ….“I remember returning from marching band contest on a Saturday night when the stores were open and the shoppers were about.  We had not gotten a I rating that year and we were all pretty sad, but we asked the bus driver to let us out by the railroad tracks and we marched down Main Street toward the high school with the trophy we did get held high.  We played the Alta School Song and stopped to sing to Mr. Shive—“For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”\

And now 70 years later it is time. I didn’t continue to play flute after high school.   I’ve kept my flute hoping maybe a grandchild would play flute.  I’ve kept it in working order.  And now I’ve purchased a new case.  Now it is going to a band teacher to give to someone that might experience the joy, challenges, and a place that I found in my flute.