My band director was just tagged in this on facebook. It’s an old letter to his daughter and it reads:
Hi, Laurel,
How’s camp? I’ve been thinking of you and how you remind me of a bassoon. So I copied a couple fingerings for a bassoonist to play a couple of cool notes. If you’re asking yourself, or someone near to you, why you should be compared (favorably, I must say) to a bassoon, and are being met with blank puzzlement, let me enlighten you.
As you might imagine, the bassoon is a rare and unique instrument. Many people live their whole entire lives without ever experiencing the majesty, and mystery of its voice. It’s sometimes a misunderstood instrument. It is in one instant dark, foreboding, then sweet and melodious. It can be funny and sad, threatening and consoling. Its variety is broad and its capacity of expression is deep. It does not seek popularity but enjoys the company of others. It plays well with large groups, or small, or can carry a tune all alone. The bassoon believes in itself and values its own uniqueness. Those of us who have discovered its beauty and sweet song feel glad that we’ve been able to have that as part of our life experience.
So, sweet girl, don’t stub your toe on big rocks. Share your uniqueness.
Love, Dad.
