fom stories

Long ago… (2016 ? )… I was just learning a musical instrument, a flute; handy and light to the touch.  I searched out other FOM Music Society groups; though not to any genuine result as a long view, what I really sought was rock.

In the habit of previewing notions with the Executive Director; then as now, to Janet Pryer, I said something like; “You know Janet, do you suppose maybe FOM could have a rock band?” She had asked for ideas after all.  If anywhere, I felt a hidden ability might be awakened there. …uhmm is that a low groan I could hear from our Exec Direc?

But the roadblocks; you know, a what do you call it, inertial barriers?… the ‘how to’, ‘when to’, ‘where to’.  I was at a crossroad; talking to myself, frustrated even.

“Dog gonnit”, I said to my flute, “I’ve had it with this confounded playing, give me Rock N’Roll or give me death!!!  “Oh well, maybe not death so much as just a year or two away from it all.

Then all of a sudden, Salvation!… an FOM newsletter …a new program this fall! (This fall then was fall 2018) . A rock band, as yet unnamed, open to all irrespective of musical ability. “I can answer to that”, I said to my flute.  She readily agreed; a little too quickly, as I remember. Somehow the critical mass had been attained; Rock ‘N Roll beginning fall 2018!  Ahaa!

Well done Janet!  I am on my way.  But me and my transverse flute?  Probably not. Clunk! I fell from the stellar height of the topmost clef. Well, what do you suppose is down at the bottom?  I’ll tell you, bass, yeah bass guitar!

For me a rock band is THE musical crossroad. Three years in, and the flute and I weren’t getting on so well (“grrrr… this fluting makes me cross”, I said to my flute, standing on her head at the furthest reaches of my room).        

So now I had use of an electric bass. Thank you FOM! And Janet who at early rehearsals called to us from the exec direc doorway; “that sounded ‘so good’!” The exec direc, when we did perform was there; inside, outside, under rain, in shine and now masked and double arm lengths or more apart. There are others who came on board doing yeoman work with us; shuttling equipment especially.