I’ve been waiting to use this word since I started writing my blog in the fall of 2017. I had planned to use it on Ruth’s birthday in April, but I had to wait until I turned 76. Ruth would have made it first, but I passed her by. For those of you who may be too young to remember, “seventy-six trombones led the big parade with a hundred and ten cornets close at hand”.
Meredith Wilson wrote the musical, “The Music Man”, and it made its debut on Broadway in 1957. The signature song was “Seventy-Six Trombones”. The only reason I remember any of this is my eleventh-grade speech class. It was a semester long class for all students seeking a “college prep” diploma. Students who weren’t interested in attending college didn’t have to take it. I was, so I did.
We gave a series of speeches throughout the semester. We gave demonstration speeches, assumed the personality of a television celebrity, read poetry, and did dramatic readings. Our first assignment was to lip sync a song. Our teacher thought it was a good way to get us up in front of people. We had ample time to prepare and select our own piece. The student presentations took place over a three-day period. We made this first presentation in alphabetical order. I recall two performances from the lip sync assignment, mine and Cindy Dallavo’s. She was one of the first and I was one of the last.
I chose Neil Sedaka’s “Calendar Girl”. I was an accomplished procrastinator. I picked the song the night before while visiting my eleventh-grade girlfriend, Karen. She had a 45 of the song and I borrowed it.
After each student completed their lip sync, the teacher asked the class to offer a critique of the presentation. Since mine was made on the last day, we were becoming more accomplished with our critiques. A girl in the front row, whose name I’ve forgotten, said, “I thought it was kind of sexy.” The teacher followed with her assessment, “You must have been sitting closer than me.” To be fair, she was.
Neil Sedaka Calendar Girl – YouTube
Cindy was very accomplished. She dressed the part and performed “Ya Got Trouble” with precision. She took on the persona of Professor Harold Hill as portrayed by Robert Preston in the film version of the play. We were required to be “on stage” for two and a half minutes. My version of “Calendar Girl” just made it at two-minutes and thirty-six seconds. Cindy performed for almost five.
The Music Man “Ya Got Trouble” – YouTube
I’ve used the phrase “trombones” throughout my life. I said it aloud on the golf course when I scored a seven and my opponent got a six. I muttered it while playing blackjack when I drew a seven and six. And I said it aloud when a baseball or football score was seven to six. It’s just another piece of useless trivia stuck in my brain.
Turning 76 is a milestone for me. I’ve written about the trouble I had turning 36 because I was closer to 40 than 30. Now I’m closer to 80 than 70. As for the “turning”, I’ve reached a point in life where I’m just happy to have the opportunity.
76 Trombones – The Music Man – YouTube
Happy Trombones!
Hello Robert! Your sister Jackie just sent this to me. You have an amazing memory! I do not remember singing “You Got Trouble” in that class and after listening to it again I can’t believe I pulled it off! It is fast and complicated but I was surprised to find that I recall all the words! I was singing along and my husband was impressed! So thank you for that memory. I will ask my mom if she remembers me practicing for the performance. My dad loved The Music Man plus all the other musicals of that era and we listened to them all the time and sang along. My sister Ann played Marion in the senior play at Dondero. I agree that being 76 is not a big deal and we are lucky to be here! Cynthia
Cynthia, Thanks
for reaching out. I remember your performance because it was spectacular. You were Professor Harold Hill, only prettier.