Update Update

[schlepporello]

I had the immeasurable pleasure to play Pomp & Circumstance for 30 stinkin' minutes tonight.

[Chadtuba]

I had the immeasurable pleasure to play Pomp & Circumstance for 30 stinkin' minutes tonight.

I'll be taking my shot at it tomorrow. As an entire piece of music, I think that P&C is a beautiful work; as the graduation march I think I might vomit one of these years

[bloke]

We have a very nice arrangement of Earle of Oxford March (for quintet) which we alternate with our own quintet arrangement of P&C (which includes the introduction, interlude, and key changes). We can also rotate in a couple of other tunes, if need be. P&C (or any tune) will become tedious after ten minutes (much less thirty). We also have places marked in each tune where we can tag them. ' sorry you had to go through that.

[schlepporello]

I had the immeasurable pleasure to play Pomp & Circumstance for 30 stinkin' minutes tonight.

I'll be taking my shot at it tomorrow. As an entire piece of music, I think that P&C is a beautiful work; as the graduation march I think I might vomit one of these years

I think they need to change the processional song to "Send in the Clowns".

[bloke]

I seems to me that with the degradation of decorum at commencement ceremonies (starting in the early 1970's, and deteriorating from there) that the whole thing of wearing caps, gowns, and regalia, and having someone of note deliver any sort of thoughtful address is all a mockery of itself.

(hollering, calling out, cheering, air horns, silly string, confetti, milling about, a constant undertone of jabber, etc., etc.)

I recall my brothers (not college, but) high school graduation in 1961.
ladies: hats and white gloves
men: suits and ties
decorum: absolutely solemn and respectful...not even people getting up to take pictures

I played for a doctoral hooding this evening. ' no air horns or confetti, but hollering, calling out, cheering, talking, a constant undertone of jabber, and milling about were constant.

yeah...I know...I'm an old fart, and I just don't get it.

bloke "and I might dare to add that a run-of-the-mill high school diploma in 1961 required quite a bit more application of self that it does today"

[PMeuph]

bloke "and I might dare to add that a run-of-the-mill high school diploma in 1961 required quite a bit more application of self that it does today"

And it probably had as much value and recognition as an undergrad does today.

PM "who gets to play three days of graduation ceremonies on tuba in about three weeks"

[Biggs]

I seems to me that with the degradation of decorum at commencement ceremonies (starting in the early 1970's, and deteriorating from there) that the whole thing of wearing caps, gowns, and regalia, and having someone of note deliver any sort of thoughtful address is all a mockery of itself.

(hollering, calling out, cheering, air horns, silly string, confetti, milling about, a constant undertone of jabber, etc., etc.)

I recall my brothers (not college, but) high school graduation in 1961.
ladies: hats and white gloves
men: suits and ties
decorum: absolutely solemn and respectful...not even people getting up to take pictures

I played for a doctoral hooding this evening. ' no air horns or confetti, but hollering, calling out, cheering, talking, a constant undertone of jabber, and milling about were constant.

yeah...I know...I'm an old fart, and I just don't get it.

bloke "and I might dare to add that a run-of-the-mill high school diploma in 1961 required quite a bit more application of self that it does today"

I just had this discussion with my parents (close in age to you) and they share your view. My 'counter-view' (not an explanation, or even an excuse for such behavior) is that it is MY graduation, I worked damned hard for the final product, and I'm there to celebrate it, not mourn it.

Also, in my case, the school supplied the confetti.

[TubaRay]

it is MY graduation, I worked damned hard for the final product, and I'm there to celebrate it, not mourn it.

I wouldn't attempt to argue with you about that, but I believe the mere fact that you look at this in the manner you do, indicates that you just don't understand. Serious ceremony does not indicate "mourning." It pays homage to the seriousness of your accomplishment. It does so in a dignified manner. Do you really think that us old guys didn't celebrate? Well, we did. The ceremony served as a stamp of approval and congratulations for such a significant accomplishment. The ceremony was to celebrate. That is true. And, I suppose you would argue that celebrating needs to be rowdy. I believe there is more than one way to celebrate. In my view, the ceremony is not the place for rowdy. A dignified ceremony adds a dimension not possible in any other place.

[MartyNeilan]

I spent the day at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL yesterday. (In keeping with the graduation thread, it was paid for by a graduation gig I had done a week earlier.)
I would strongly suggest that everyone should visit this museum at least once in their lifetime. The extent of their exhibits is truely amazing, and to see the size of these beasts in person is awe inspiring. There were enough simuators and hands-on activities to keep the kids' attention. Not cheap, but worth every penny.

[Chuck Jackson]

Sunny, 90 degrees, working in the back yard while the Vin Scully calls a Dodgers game, a cold beer soon to be in hand. Life is good.

Chuck

[russiantuba]

Update: I have been busy! Also got engaged a few weeks ago.

Congratulations! Marriage is awesome! Is she a musician too?

Haha, plus now she gets to run around saying that she's going to be married to a doctor!

Thanks Bort and beareuphonium.

She played clarinet/bass clarinet back in middle school and early high school but not anymore...though she understands I do need to practice and play gigs and all that...at least she is allowing a large tuba-euph ensemble to play the music at the wedding

2+ years till she says she is married to a doctor...that is if I don't die first with all this work

[bloke]

I seems to me that with the degradation of decorum at commencement ceremonies (starting in the early 1970's, and deteriorating from there) that the whole thing of wearing caps, gowns, and regalia, and having someone of note deliver any sort of thoughtful address is all a mockery of itself.

(hollering, calling out, cheering, air horns, silly string, confetti, milling about, a constant undertone of jabber, etc., etc.)

I recall my brothers (not college, but) high school graduation in 1961.
ladies: hats and white gloves
men: suits and ties
decorum: absolutely solemn and respectful...not even people getting up to take pictures

I played for a doctoral hooding this evening. ' no air horns or confetti, but hollering, calling out, cheering, talking, a constant undertone of jabber, and milling about were constant.

yeah...I know...I'm an old fart, and I just don't get it.

bloke "and I might dare to add that a run-of-the-mill high school diploma in 1961 required quite a bit more application of self that it does today"

I just had this discussion with my parents (close in age to you) and they share your view. My 'counter-view' (not an explanation, or even an excuse for such behavior) is that it is MY graduation, I worked damned hard for the final product, and I'm there to celebrate it, not mourn it.

Also, in my case, the school supplied the confetti.

Mr. biggs, There's the wedding, followed by the reception. There's the funeral, followed by the repass. There's the inauguration, followed by the ball.

...There's a time and a place...