Alzeimer's in the brass section

MaryAnn · Post by **MaryAnn** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 3:12 pm

Serious topic.

The band I play in has a brass player who is in fairly-far-along Alzeimer's. He used to be a fine player. Now....he is unable to find where to sit without his wife showing him the chair; he is unable to find the piece of music we are to play in the folder, because he can't remember what the conductor said long enough to look for it; if the music is put on the stand for him, he cannot follow it, not even for two measures.

The man is tractable, pleasant, generally does not play at all as opposed to blatting away, but sometimes he does confidently play, even in the wrong piece, as long as the notes he is playing don't clash with what is going on around him (still has an ear, despite the spacial problems.)

During concerts, his wife sets him up with stand and chair but expects the rest of the section to find the proper music and put it on the stand for him, constantly show him where he is (to no avail) and treat him as if he were a functioning member of the section. The result has been that the fellow who sits next to him talks between pieces and during the actual performance, and the entire band, and possibly the audience, can hear his mutterings as he tries to get the fellow straightened out.

Commentary? Just as an aside, telling this player that he should not come to band any more will have no effect, because he won't remember what was said for more than a minute or two. While I appreciate his wife's desire to get him out of the house and doing things, I don't believe she understands, or possibly could understand, that he should not be coming to band any more. He still takes private lessons; I know his teacher, and she says he no longer even remembers fingerings, and can only play the simplest music mentally, although physically he still can play his instrument quite well.

All of us who play in amateur groups probably have run into a version of this scenario at one time or another. Reactions seem to vary; sometimes the player is "squeezed" out, if they are mentally capable of figuring that out. Sometimes they are asked to leave. But what should occur in a situation like this one, where the player wouldn't even know he had band rehearsal if his wife didn't bring him to it?

MA

lgb&dtuba · Post by **lgb&dtuba** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 3:22 pm

A talk with his wife seems in order. I don't envy the person who gets tagged with this assignment, but she needs to be made aware of the things you wrote about. Frankly, she's the one who needs to be told that her husband can no longer play with your band.... if that's what the band wants.

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 5:21 pm

I'll submit the band should decide as a group.

If the band is more about personship than music making, possibly it's OK for now.

If the band is more about music making, perhaps a gentle shift to a lesser group is in order,

In either event, I would suggest that a professional Alzheimer's councilor is appropriate to determine if participation is/isn't helping the individual in question, and what to do with participation (in general) in the long run.

As you know, I had an inconvenient meeting with a mountain, and participation in a community band has enabled me to make great personal strides since moving to Delaware.

I make no comparison of my condition to Alzheimer's, but I do know firsthand what such a band can do for one both physically and mentally. I was lucky enough to find a band locally that has a very high amateur performance level. We also have a trumpeter, much as you describe.

When I first came, I was welcomed with open arms, even in my very unsteady muscular condition. The amount of progress I've been able to make is astonishing to me, though I'm still nowhere near the level I was. The level of musicianship is very high, the band having many business professionals, who likely could have pursued music, had they been inclined to.

But unlike my symphony, these people are not worried about musical careers, and are as much about the group as they are about the common goal of making music.

That's why I suggest that an Alzheimer's councilor be consulted. It seems that a lot of assumptions are being made, from the group to the caregiver to the person himself.

But I do think the band as a group should decide if his participation is too disruptive, and I propose that this be as much about him as it is the band.

tofu · Post by **tofu** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 6:37 pm

tbn.al · Post by **tbn.al** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 10:11 am

The band must make a concious decision whether it is about music or people, or to what extent each. Hopefully the whole group can come to a concensus. Players who don't fit in with the band's mission will likely be lost. That is not a bad thing. Everyone needs to find a place where they fit into the program. In my church orchestra we have an 82 year old sax player who has the dreaded "A" and also two huge hearing aids. We also have a bassoonist with two new cochlear implants. We have collectively made the decision that given a choice, we are about ministering to people over music. We desperately try to do both, but in the end the ministry wins. It is truly a challenge to strive for high musical ideals but at the same time reach out to the musically challenged. We have lost a few good players who couldn't reconcile the two. Once this central issue is decided, the rest will fall into place.

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 10:24 am

tbn.al wrote:we are about ministering to people over music

... over just intonation...

greatk82 · Post by **greatk82** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 12:39 pm

I have to agree with Windshieldbug about the theraputic effects of ensemble playing. After I injuried my back and developed fibromayalgia, playing has become very difficult. While I was still in the Army, there was debate about removing me from my Tuba Quartet, but my NCOIC fought to keep me in it. Many rehearsals were cut short due to pain and many were exceptionally fun due to pain killers, but I am truly appreciative to my three friends for puting up with me for all that time. There was even the time I had to be strapped to a chair and then had the tuba strapped to me because I couldn't hold it for a gig.

Bove · Post by **Bove** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 1:24 pm

If the band is happy to have him there, and the only trouble is the lost music and distractions during the concerts etc., perhaps an extra person could sit behind him to assist with finding music and following his part. This would free up his section-mates to focus on their own parts and performing.

tbn.al · Post by **tbn.al** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 2:55 pm

windshieldbug wrote:
tbn.al wrote:we are about ministering to people over music
... over just intonation...

You're awfully tough on me! Can't say as I didn't deserve it. However the flute player in question has a minor in performance from a major university and ought to know better. The 82 year old has forgotten more music than I'll ever know. He was playing lead alto in a regional dance band in 1950 before I had ever heard of a band. Everytime I look at him I see me in 20 years.

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 3:17 pm

tbn.al wrote:You're awfully tough on me!

No, mostly what I am is a smarta$$... and I agree, if someone got that far in performance, they ought to know about tuning...

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:10 pm

One of the groups I play in has a great trombone player in the same shape. Here's the deal: affable guy, great to be around, and we all wish we could have known him 20 years ago. Gets completely lost just talking to you.

But you know how with a lot of people, that even as the disease progresses, some of the hard wiring still works well? Get a chart in front of him he knows, and you would never know he's progressing in his disease. His tone and technique are still the best, although he can't remember to pull his tuning slide out the 1/2 to 3/4 inch or so to tune up, so we listen as he plays, and do it for him when he's not looking. (No, this is not cruel. He plays too well not to.)

We all love him dearly as an old friend. We all still love to hear him play. Yes, we take turns making sure he's oriented, and yes, we still take him out to give his wife a break as much as anything.

His general health is starting to go as well, and he probably doesn't have more than a year or two left with us. It is a difficult circumstance, and in this particular group we are all very careful to keep it as positive and supportive as we can.

My respect and best wishes for anyone who has to cope with this debilitating disease, from whatever aspect.

Chuck Jackson · Post by **Chuck Jackson** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 1:57 am

http://tinyurl.com/386cwo

Very sad story. He and Sy Zentner died around the same time. Tough time in town for alot of the old hands, and the young ones too.

Chuck

MaryAnn · Post by **MaryAnn** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 10:05 am

Well, it's interesting. There is a whole lot more information and history I'd like to present for discussion, because the discussion is helpful to me, but nothing on the internet is private, and I am going to refrain from specifics. Thanks for all the input.

MA