This may be the most musical time of the year—with Christmas, New Year’s and
other Holiday songs filling the air in shopping malls, on radio and TV as well
as at many special concerts throughout California. This festive, joyful music is
nostalgic for many of us. It reminded me of the highlight of my early years as a
precision instrumentalist, ringing the cow bell in the sixth grade symphony
orchestra.
It took quite a knack to “let her ring” when the maestro pointed his baton at
me. Being a soloist, I was particularly proud of my notoriety as a first rate
bell ringer throughout the several musical pieces our symphony performed. But,
more important, my parents and neighbors were also extremely proud of my musical
accomplishments. A whole group of them came to the elementary school auditorium
just to hear my final ring at the last and most prestigious performance of the
year.
Being an accomplished musician, I never felt the pressure of performing before a
massive audience but when I had to wear a suit for the last concert, I was a tad
uneasy. I think the tie pinched my neck and caused a slight tremble down my
spine as I walked out to the percussion section amidst a packed house. Everything went smoothly for the orchestra and me during all but the last
number.
While waiting patiently under the bright lights for my last moment of glory, I
did something I had been trained not to do—glanced out in the audience and saw
my parents and rooting section. What I saw horrified me—they were all laughing.
It seems one of the violinist’s strings snapped and in that moment I missed the
conductor’s key. The symphony played on and finished before a standing ovation.
Yet, to this day, whenever I pass that same grade school auditorium, I always
remember that my final ring never rang!
