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Health & Fitness

NHHS Class of 1970 Musical Memories-by Nanci Crompton

*Note-My friend Nanci Crompton shared the following story for me to post on the Patch. 

When I started Walter Reed Jr High in the 60's, I was a shy young lady, with no special passions or accomplishments that moved me or made me feel special.

Fortunately, there was a class I took called "beginning winds". First, I tried the flute, which gave me headaches (from all that hard blowing, not from hitting myself over the head in frustration, mind you!).

With the clarinet, however, it was an instant love affair! Thank goodness that (in those days) there was an advanced winds class, my parents believed in me enough to finance clarinet lessons, and there were the beginning and advanced bands at my school.

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I made friends (mostly the boys in the band, for whom my adolescent heart throbbed), worked hard, and was able to find much passion, satisfaction and a sense of belonging and accomplishment, due to the music I could play.

At North Hollywood High, I was in the concert and marching bands. Again, I was a happy camper in the ways described above, and had an important role in the Friday night games! Since our football prowess was slim to none (and I still think that is the case), the fun was in the music, the hanging out, and the occasional bus trip to an opposing school. Not being  sports fans anyway, it did not matter what the score was...we did not pay much attention most of the time.

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Now cut to the present time. It is over 40 years later, and I just turned 60!  I still had my clarinet, but my embouchure had long atrophied, and fingering and other technical aspects of playing had long fallen away. Nothing left but beautiful memories.

My husband (NHHS Class of 1971 and also a band member, on percussion) and I decided that a good thing to do with my Selmer B-Flat might be to donate it to the high school. Sure enough, we contacted the Music Director there, a "nice young man" who graciously welcomed our gift.

But here is the kicker: After presenting the clarinet to, the Director, he led us out to the football field where the marching band was rehearsing. Not only did they play for us, but actually played the NHHS Marching Song while coming down the field in (in our eyes) perfect harmony and precision! This was followed by a stand-up version of the Star Spangled Banner!

No dry eyes for Mr. and Mrs. Alumni that day!

It all came to the surface; the magical memories, the feelings, and a great appreciation for these young musicians for giving us a gift that we will never forget!

Go Mighty Huskies!

...and a small but heartfelt prayer for music programs to continue to thrive, no matter what!

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