We went to the Minnesota State Band concert this afternoon. Our friend, Peter, is a new member of the band, and he invited us and we were happy we were here to go. It was at Como High School in St. Paul. There was a sandwich board outside apprising us that no visitors were allowed during school. Sometimes I forget about the pandemic, which is not a bad thing.
As we walked inside, we saw the bathrooms. The bathrooms looked very cool. Especially for a school. No gender separation, just individual bathrooms (like at home), with flip locks that say available or occupied. I love bathroom stalls that have occupied signs on them. I do not care for people trying the door, then knocking. What are they expecting when they knock? That someone is inside? That would make sense, wouldn’t it? Doesn’t a locked door mean it is occupied? If no one IS inside and they knock, do they think knocking will open the door? I don’t get it.
I love the fact that there doesn’t have to be a conversation about who can use which bathroom. That all of the available spaces could be used by women. There are full doors – giving privacy that regular stall doors do not offer. I did wonder if that might be too much privacy in a high school, but mine is not to have to worry about that.
And then there was a band concert. With woodwinds. That was my prevailing thought throughout the entire concert. Look! Flutes. Clarinets. Weird. I might have been to a LOT of brass band concerts. It was a very different sound (I should say obviously, because obviously). The pieces were really woodwind forward, I thought, although the brass was certainly there.
There were disappointingly few people in the audience. They had taped off every other row for pandemic caution and the audience did not come close to filling the remaining seats. It was a beautiful spring day, and the concert was mid-afternoon, so maybe that stole a few people. I know how hard people work putting concerts together and I want them to play to as many people as possible. If you see a free concert advertised, go to it.
Yeah… Making music is best when it’s a shared commodity. We have a tuba quartet/sextet concert coming up on May 7. We’re going to get to do a pre-hearing and interview on Interlochen Public Radio the week before the concert, and I’ve sent out notices to all the area news outlets. Just occurred to me that we need to let the community band folks (there are two) know about this, too. Happy Sunday afternoon!
Agreed, telling the community band people is a great idea. We have been so lucky for years at how many of our friends, musical and non, who come to support Keith. It is so appreciated when your friends show up for you!