Band Poetry Expresses Humor in Band

By Ken Martinson from marching.com

Don’t let the word “poetry” scare you. There’s a 100% chance that you’ll connect with at least one of the 120 poems and stories in “Band Nerds Poetry From the 13th Chair Trombone Player.”

The engaging and unexpected book written by DJ Corchin and illustrated by Dan Dougherty is filled with spot-on observations of sticky valves, squeaky clarinets, itchy uniforms and various other malfunctions that will have band members in stitches.

“We can choose to let [stereotypes] shape us, or we can choose to write a silly poem book about them and laugh it off,” Corchin says.

Corchin is a big fan of poet Shel Silverstein, so he strove to channel Silverstein’s lighthearted style.

First Chair
I am the first chair.
A very important role.
Everyone looks up to me.
At least that’s what I’m told.
I have special duties.
Passing music to the rest.
I am the first chair I say
Of all the 3rd part clarinets.

The book got its start while Corchin was performing in the first national tour of the Tony and Emmy award-winning show “Blast!,” where he was featured as the “unicycling trombonist.”

For more information and to find out where you can buy the book, visit www.BandNerdsPoetry.com.

© 2008 Marching.com. All rights reserved. This material is reprinted and excerpted with permission. For the full story, visit www.marching.com.

Book cover

Comments

1. Deborah Kane says:
   October 26th, 2008 at 21:43
   I love your book!
   My son is in his High School band and I was wondering if I can get permission to add just one of your poems to their Fall Concert program. I of course will be glad to mention your hilarious book and that everyone needs to run out and get a copy for themselves.
   The poem I would like to use is "Closed Eyes"
   Please let me know ASAP, our concert is 10/30/08.
   Sincerely,
   Deborah Kane

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