Instrumental
I picked up a flute for the first time in the beginning of sixth grade. I had known that I wanted to play in the band since I first learned about it in elementary school from our music teacher, but I thought then that I wanted to play the trumpet or to possibly be in percussion.
After a few trials of each instrument once I got to middle school band classes, I quickly learned that I was much better suited at the flute. I had the dream for those other instruments and musical avenues, but my talent was found in the woodwind section.
I caught on very quickly, and before I knew it, I was second chair to one of the older flautists in our band. A few others started learning the flute in band class with me, but not as many wanted to actually play in the marching band like I did when we finally hit eighth grade. And man, did I love marching and playing the instrument that I was so passionate about on that field. Only on days like this do I even remember that I ever intended to play anything else.
The flute and my place in the band quickly became my thing. I just couldn’t get enough of the band. I loved music, I loved the friends that I was making; every bit of it just enthralled me to the core.
But then ninth grade rolled around, and I started to consider trying out for the majorette line. Watching the girls do their own twirling routines on the field alongside me was so cool, and some delusional part of me thought that maybe I could learn to do that too.
My band director was not happy. He spent years preparing me to be an incredible piece of the ensemble as a flautist, not a majorette. He still caved and supported me, but he begged me not to switch. Our high school had a very small band, so every single part, every single instrument counts and makes a huge difference.
I ended up swallowing my fear and trying out for the majorette team anyway. I had no clue what I was doing. I wasn’t as close to those girls as I was to my bandmates. I was mortified, but I gave it my absolute best shot anyway. That tryout week was scary, but I was so glad that I did try.
When I made it, I felt so accomplished. I genuinely had no faith that they’d take me. I had no experience twirling. The only stick I ever carried on the field had buttons and made noises. This was a whole new tax bracket - especially since the majorettes were known to use fire batons.
I ended up performing with the majorettes for my ninth, tenth, and eleventh grade years of high school. But during that time, I still played in the stands on my flute with the rest of the band for most of the stand tunes. My passion for playing never wavered, but I found a new passion and a new place to serve in the band that I loved so dearly.
In the grand scheme of things, I really didn’t care where I was at, as long as I was part of the band. I learned that no matter where I was, I was playing a pivotal role in the machine that was the Big Red Marching Machine. I took great pride in that, and I still do.
And just as I felt pulled to step out of my bibbers and into the majorette dress, I eventually felt pulled to return to my roots. I retired the beautiful sequined dresses I’d been wearing for the past few years, and made the call to put my hat and plume back on for one last run in my senior year.
This didn’t go over super well with the girls I’d been serving on the majorette line with. They understood, but wished I would have stayed since it was our last year. But I just couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d be of better use to the band with my flute again.
I definitely was of better use there. That year, I ended up as the official section leader and soloist of the flute section of our band, and got to experience so many cool things because of it. The friendships that grew within my final year were ones I think back on and cherish to this day.
I’m sure you’ve picked up on this by now, but this isn’t just about high school marching bands.
It all just goes to show that we’re all called to serve in different ways, even if they change from time to time over the years. We humans are blessed with so many differing talents and passions that ebb and flow over time. Just like waves, they can come crashing in, and eventually subside just to return again in good time.
Even more importantly than the callings I had for where I should be within the band, is the calling that we all have to serve within God’s beloved church and earthly kingdom.
Where are you being called to serve?
More importantly, have you answered that call?
I’m not condemning you. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve mishandled that calling in my life for a very long time.
I’ve given all the excuses that one can give: I’ve been ‘too busy’, I’ve ‘just not found the right church’, or I ‘wasn’t sure’ what I’d even be able to help with. Even worse so, there were many seasons of my life that I wasn’t going to church consistently at all.
But after a few years and seasons of merely having faith, but not being faithful through obedience to His word and commandments of me, I’m finally on track to where I should be in my walk of faith, and making steps to answer that call of service and true faithfulness on my life.
Just as my positions within our band over the years were literally instrumental to the ensemble as a whole, so is our service to God’s church and people as Christians.
We each have a role and a part to play. Every part counts. Every act of service counts.
Whether you start serving in one place and eventually realize that your talents may be of better use elsewhere, or you are immediately blessed with the perfect role for you and keep it for the rest of your life in joyful service to the Lord - you’re answering the call. Do it joyfully, always.
Also, bear in mind that sometimes the role you want may not be where you’re needed. It can be a hard pill to swallow when you want one thing so badly, but you’re needed elsewhere. But remember that every role is equally important to the whole, and while it may not be time for your solo now, there will always come a time for that passion to shine, all within God’s perfect plan and timing.
Eighth-grade Emalyn wanted a flute solo more than anything, but I wasn’t ready for it until I was a senior, and had passed through more than a few hoops in order to get there.
Music - or in this case, a halftime show - never sounds right when only one section plays it alone.
It takes each of them coming together to work every piece into its place - the flutes, the trumpets, and even the visual accompaniment of a few fiery majorettes - under the instruction of a great drum major to ensure that the songs and the show as a whole become exactly what they were composed to be.
It’s when you step back and replay the entire show that you see just how your specific notes, or tosses, fit into God’s grand arrangement of your life. When you carry the tune of service joyfully, no matter where you are, your faithfulness will ring true.
A little visual proof for anyone curious - and I’m a sucker for a walk down a photographic memory lane. <3
(numbered in order of left to right)
My last solo ever - senior night for the class of 2020.
My favorite senior picture.
Our final walk out on senior night - we were all so hyped and sad for our final show.
My first ever band composite in eighth grade. I was such a baby, but so passionate to play!
