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Guitar & 8-Man

by Jordan :: Sunday May 8, 2005

I began playing the bass guitar a little more than a year ago, and though I had intended only to play occasionally with a group of friends, I now find the time to play quite often. I have submerged myself in Thacher’s jazz band program, which meets every Wednesday and Sunday after dinner. It’s become a regular staple in my Thacher routine, and through it I have not only been able to expand my knowledge of an art form I really enjoy (through listening to such great musicians as John Coltrane and Louis Armstrong), but also to spend time with other students who share this same pastime—students who would otherwise not necessarily be a part of my Thacher experience.

Another defining activity throughout my junior year has been football. I’ve played contact football since fifth grade, and I’m glad that Thacher has allowed me to continue through such a fulfilling and enriching program. It seems like only yesterday that I hung up my pads in my fermented home away from home, the locker room, and though the smell was guaranteed to linger for the following months, what I remember most is the sense of completion and togetherness. I made friends through the team that I know will last me well past my years at Thacher. This was an inevitable result of, for example, spending countless hours in contorted positions and cardiovascular programs that became know to us as our coaches “yoga workout.” (I distinctly remember the entire varsity team being told to grab their knees and roll in a circle as a small child would.) Though this preparation seemed unconventional, it not only made us a viable contender for the state championship, but more importantly, it allowed for an extremely enjoyable season in which the characters of many players truly began to shine through. Through learning something new (jazz bass), to continuing with a regular part of my life (football), I’ve had a junior year packed full with adventure, comedy, and daily challenges.

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