If Meredith Willson's Mother Had Facebook

 If Meredith Willson's mother had Facebook,

She might've written about

the rows and rows

of marching band uniforms

lined up on dress racks

at the start of the school year;

and the concert tuxedos

for orchestra and band both

and the industrial-strength suspenders

and the snaps

that hold those pants in place.

And of the fitting process

and the unfamiliar sizing

and the, 'yes, it looks okay

with the arms at the side,

but put your arms up

like you're actually playing

your trombone

your viola

your cello

your tuba

your flute

oh yes, definitely

you'll want a bit more

freedom to really move.'

And a conversation about

the relative merits

of marching uniforms

that zip up the back

or button up the front;

back zippers require

someone to 'have your back,'

but they sure look snappy

And when you are in orchestra or band

you have two more years of practice

wearing tuxedos for prom

than anyone else at school

And of how the gowns are kind of convenient

because they don't get quite as overheated

under the lights during the concert

And then over to the table

for the shoes

And the gloves

(gloves are for

the marching band,

not the orchestra,

because that might be

rather difficult on strings)

And with reminders to go find

a white, button-down shirt

and black socks

to go with the tuxedo

before the first concert, please

And the small army of mothers

who keep everything organized,

tagged, labeled, noted, listed,

bringing order to chaos

with remarkable efficiency

and grace and humor

for managing

teens at the end of summer break

before the first school bell has rung

and the amazement of mothers

being newly initiated

to the process.

--

(c) 2024. Le Anne Clausen de Montes has a 9th grade Orchestra student at Mason City High School in Mason City, IA, home of 'The Music Man.' Their family also includes a 7th grade trombonist, a 6th grade cellist/ string bassist, and a 3rd grader biding her time with a ukelele. She is also a co-Admin of the Mason City Musicians Facebook group, and composes church, protest, and choral music at New Songs for Peacemakers. May be shared and reprinted with attribution to the author and link to original post.