[RedAngel]

Organ from 4th grade to 6th grade.
Flute from 5th grade to present.
Recorder from 6th grade to 8th grade.
Drums from 9th grade to 10th grade.
Piccolo from 9th grade to 11th grade.

When I was in high school band was like a sport. Very, very competitive. By the time I was a sophomore I was one of 14 junior conductors and was permitted to re-write music for the band. You worked out on the track field (whether in rain or snow flurries). The practices were taped so they can determine who was out of step and that person was pulled aside after band rehearsal. As strict as our instructor was it paid off when we were invited to the Bahamas for three straight years when I was in high school for competition. The last year I was in band---we placed first.

Now, I don't compete anymore but I do occasionally tutor.