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We wanted to go to UNLV, but they did not allow bands to
go because their arena (Las Vegas Convention Center) was always sold out. However, if we
wanted to buy tickets we could go. Eight of us did just that. Initially, we did not plan
to bring instruments, but at the last minute we did. We had three trumpets (Dale Hurst,
Mike Muncey, and Dave Becker), a French Horn (me), a trombone (Kurt Brillhart), a flute
(Amy Klein), a clarinet (Richard Hatakeyama), and a bass clarinet (Sharon Mahler). |
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The eight of us arrived in Las Vegas and checked into some cheap motel
near the strip (near where the Tropicana is today). We wanted to see how we would sound as
a band so we took out our instruments and played some of our music out in a vacant lot. We
sounded pretty good. Passing motorists observed in curiosity. After all, it was 40 degrees
outside, a bit windy, and the eight of us were playing wind instruments. |
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At the game, we were seated on the top row of the arena. We could
practically touch the ceiling. The time came when we wanted to play something. Our
cheerleaders, down on the floor, did not consider us to be a real band and tried
not to acknowledge us, but we prevailed and played Turn The Beat Around. When we
finished, the UNLV band, apparently impressed that eight people could make so much noise,
stood up and applauded. Our cheerleaders, at that point, recognized us as their band. We
lost that game, but by a close score of 68-70. Afterwards, we returned to our hotel,
ordered pizza, and drank beer. |
