Tonight at symphony rehearsal, the director had a sad announcement to make.
One of our trumpet players was found dead in his car.
He was maybe late 20’s or early 30’s, and I’ve known him for over 10 years. For as long as I’ve known him, he has had a lot of problems with drugs.
I remember sometimes after rehearsal, a small group of us used to go out for dinner, then we would sit around outside and chat for a few hours. I remember he would freely admit that he was willing to try any drug he could afford, legal or not. It helped him mentally escape from the bad parts of life, I think.
Anyway, they found him in the car, alone.
Nobody’s willing to say the “S” word yet, but it does look like he may have overdosed, since that was a recurring theme in his life.
He was an amazing trumpet player. Very accomplished, very talented. He made beautiful music.
We’re going to miss him.
24 comments
I’m very sorry. It seems drugs and music are so entwined, yet it’s constantly results in tragedy. I must confess, my own narrow mind believed symphony was above that, in fact I was just saying that the other day, that orchestra was safer musical outlet than rock star.
I think in general you’re right; I always believed symphony was “safer” than rock or heavy metal.
But I guess no one is 100% safe from anything, no matter what.
I’m a metal/rock fan and the deaths the last few years have been shocking, especially the “accidental o.d.” really just beginning to study musical theory, and as such, gaining a ton of respect for classical music.
I loved studying music theory. 😮
And yes, it’s staggering how many professional musicians have passed away so far this year. (!)
That is sad. RIP.
Trumpet players seem as lethal as kazoo players, but who can ever really know the dark secrets of a troubled musician?
If I was to go next, people would definitely start wondering about the group.
(“What? First a trumpeter, now a french hornist? What’s next, the triangle?”)
And that would be a shame, since there have been times when the symphony rehearsal was the only thing that helped hold me together for the week. It’s helped a lot throughout the years.
If the guy (or girl) who plays the triangle offs themselves, then life on earth has lost all meaning.
That would be as bad as a world without chicken waffles.
Could you exist in that version of hell?
Me neither.
Hmmm.
Now I’m going to have to put “Try Chicken Waffles” on my bucket list.
(See what I did there? Bucket? Chicken?)
New band name:
Waffle Bucket
Or
Bucket of Waffles
Or
Chicken Syrup
Or
Chicken Fried Waffles.
You see? No one has thought of this before.
We form a band, we call ourselves “The Chicken Fried Waffles”, and we get a triangle player.
Are you feeling this?
Needs more didgeridoos… 50,000 didgeridoos
I’m not sure that conquering the Australian Aboriginal market will get us rich.
The didgeridoo is cool, but no one in the band will get laid or rich playing a flute like instrument.
C’mon.
Let’s focus and prioritize.
Waffle Bucket…. Yes!
There should be lots of triangle solos.
And cowbell.
Waffle Bucket sounds kinda white trash.
(No offense. I’m kinda white trash).
Waffle Bucket sounds like a band that dines at The Waffle House. (Again, that’s me).
I’d rather not argue, and I feel like ordering The All American Special.
I’m getting me another beer.
Bon voyage.
We could change it to “The Caviar Bucket”, if you think that would class things up a bit.
Whatever.
As long as we have a triangle player in the band I don’t see how we can fail.
The band is a democracy. Let’s make decisions based on community consensus.
That was the way R.E.M. did it… and they stayed together for 31 years.
They retired in 2011 as multi-millionaires.
Not sure they had a triangle, though.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9GMjH1nR0ds
This song is mostly G C D. Your basic I IV V progression. (1 4 5 in Roman numerals. Suicidal people can be just as annoying as music theorists).
Aren’t symphony pretty exclusive and difficult to get into?
It depends on the symphony.
Professional ones are VERY difficult to get into.
Ours is a non-professional one (volunteer instead of paid work), and we accept anyone who can play their instrument well enough.
Hmm, that leaves me wondering what the definition of well enough is? Also, how many orchestras are looking for some power chording/ palm muting guitarist!?
There was a very (VERY) brief time in the early 1990’s when I played keyboard and harp in a college rock band.
Yeahhh. Harp.
Long story.
It was fun (and refreshingly bizarre) while it lasted.
Tell me it was the keyboard guitar thingy in a new wave band? Lol. Much respect for the harp though, I split my finger open pretty good on one as a kid. I’ve always wanted to play in a group setting, but, probably not happening.
No key-tar, sorry. 🙁
How did you slice your finger on a harp?
I guess it could happen if you scraped against the part of the tuning peg where the string comes out of the knot… especially if it was one of the lower longer strings (made of wrapped nylon & metal).
I don’t fully recall how, but I know I was playing fast and hard and then blood. Maybe it wasn’t even a harp? It was harp like though. Metal strings. I was like 5 or 6 wasn’t even suppose to touch it.