Gallery: Beginning Band
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If you played an instrument in school, you'll likely remember the smell of valve oil, the confusing sheets of notes, and scales you would someday know by heart. Anyone who has ever sat nervously in a roomful of other budding musicians dreaming of the Carnegie Hall stage knows what this is like. The newbies know nothing about playing and all things are still possible to become a star-or at least get some applause at the spring combined school concert. Perry Kelly, music teacher at Highland Middle School in Kennewick, is in charge of coaxing notes and songs out of 60 students. About 40 minutes into the class, Kelly checked on a new student working with another in a practice booth. "OK, practice on your own for a little. One, two, three, make some noise," he said. They do and a sound akin to New York traffic fills the room- it's a concussive audio soup. Returning to the podium, Kelly got the students focused and ready to play the familiar beginner song Hot Cross Buns. They are making music. Simple and rudimentary -but it is still music. Carnegie Hall can wait. These kids will be a hot ticket for their families as concert seasons approach. PAUL T. ERICKSON/HERALD
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