Parade Riding

Today was Citrus Heights' 10th annual Red White and Blue Parade. I arrived at the staging area around 7:30am with my Tuba and a Red Bull in hand, with a back-up bottle of water for rehydration after my caffeine routine. I had slathered on the clear zinc oxide, donned the sunglasses and bought a hat. I brought my music in sheet protectors and had a plexiglass sheet for good measure. I was prepared.

I knew it would be hot (weather reports were for a high of 105), but I wasn't prepared for how long we would be waiting in the sun sitting on the flatbed of a trailer, being pulled by the band director's son. My back was being roasted by the early morning sun and the glare from my massive, heat-absorbing, sun-reflecting instrument made sure that my front side wasn't left out.

We were staged in the middle of the parade, but it became apparent that wasn't our spot as the multitudes of floats, cheerleading dancers, and the gaggle of Star Wars look-a-likes passed us. Once we finally started moving I realized we were last. Dead last. Well second to last if you count the City's Sanitation truck that was behind us making sure that there were no missed horse piles.

I was reminded while we were riding in that truck (not marching as a band usually does in a parade, but riding sitting down with music stands), that I love playing tuba. Not just that I love playing an instrument or making music, which of course is also true. But I REALLY love playing the tuba. I love the deep resonating sound. I love being the foundation of the band. I even love the looks of awe and wonder at the sight of a girl tuba player. It's not enough that I get weird looks when people realize that I play the tuba, but it's compounded by the reactions that I'm a girl.

I've survived nearly my whole life hearing the comments of: "Wow, that thing is nearly as big as you are" and "Isn't that thing heavy?", "Hey look! That's a chic!" Then there's, "Don't see many girl tuba players" is one of my personal favorites. I even have learned to shrug off the occasional "You must have a lot of wind to play that" off-handed insult. To which I have learned to reply with, "well, I have been told I talk alot".