More inspiring comments from Ted after the
Sunday, April 27, 2003, alumni corps rehearsal
So yesterday despite the warnings of
the World Health Organization I loaded my trusty
contra in my truck and headed off on my monthly
journey to downtown Toronto for corps practice.
I had absolutely no fear of SARS
but I was truly nervous about the fact I had not
been very diligent in my practice schedule at home
and I was nervous about how bad I might be. Or worse
how much better everyone else might be.
I pulled in to the parking lot and
as I walked towards the building I saw a person
standing there talking to some of the guys, who I
instantly recognized and in an instant my fears went
away as I knew I was going to get to associate with
one of the greatest musicians I ever met while I was
in Optimists.
Paul Thompson is truly one of best
contra players I ever heard and now he is joined up
with the rest of us which will take Jason and I
from" wanna be" contra players to the real deal.
Paul started to warm up and when
he bellowed out low C on his horn one of the old
legion vets ran to the window and looked out onto
Lake Ontario to see if a lake freighter was passing
by.
Yesterday was truly the most fun I
have had since we started this reincarnation of what
we used to be. The whole level of sound and
execution of the horn line has increased
dramatically and the look in the eyes of those
watching us was evidence of how much better we were.
Brian Byrne was there watching as
well and when we played Devil Moon I could see his
eyes glisten. Then I realized there were a couple of
young girls present and I realized quickly that it
wasn't the music that had Brian's attention.
Brian brings new meaning to our
motto " THE LEGEND LIVES ON".
At the end of the day as we
prepared for ensemble you could tell that Vern was
eager to demonstrate his talent of wildly flailing
his arms in the direction of the horn line leading
us all down memory lane.
Vern managed to get us through
three numbers before having to take a rest. Guess he
is going to have to do some more practice at home in
front of his stereo with the volume cranked to the
limit before next rehearsal.
As for myself I am definitely
going clean up my act and practice more at home This
whole thing is starting to get really good and I
don't want to get left behind.
