Anyone who has had regular interaction with me over the last few years knows about my lifelong, torturous, relationship with music. For most of my adult life, I was a full-time musician, first performing nationwide for corporate events, fairs, and festivals, then spending two full decades as an active duty and reserve military musician.

At one point, I counted myself proficient on five different instruments, and played in as many groups as I could. The genre didn’t matter; classical, jazz, rock, country, I wanted to play everything, everywhere, all the time. I spent two years majoring in music before embarking on this playing career, and while I never did complete a degree in music, I now possess a master’s degree level of knowledge in music theory, harmony, and ear training. My performance technique however has declined over the years, and today I am often amazed at what I used to be able to play.

My long retirement from music began when I first moved to the Boston area in 1998 to attend school at Salem Sate College. My intention was to put the horns away for good, but I needed to play in the state’s National Guard band in order to keep tuition benefits, and when the college’s music department got wind of my experience, they recruited me to play in their ensembles. Between school and the Army, I made a few contacts, and the gigs stayed constant.

I finally wrested myself from music’s hold a few years ago, when I retired from the National Guard band.

My current “day job” does not fit well with a musician’s lifestyle, so I have not actively sought any gigs over the last few years, but an opportunity recently surfaced that allowed me to dust off the horn and put the chops back to work.

Sandra Fowler was chairperson of the Communications Department at Salem State, as well as my academic adviser. In my time at the school, she became a mentor and friend, offering advice during some challenging times during my stay at the college. In 2008, Dr. Fowler succumbed to cancer.

To honor her memory, a scholarship was established in Sandy’s name, and the current Communications Department chair has put together a yearly fundraising concert, featuring not professional singers, but instead, talented members of the college’s faculty, and staff.

I was originally asked to play behind two of the faculty members, who performed a great rendition of the James Taylor/Carly Simon version of Mockingbird. I inquired about playing my own a-cappella solo, which was accepted by the show’s producer. At the rehearsal I was asked to accompany another soloist, and at the actual performance, I agreed to play behind a rockin’ country-tinged duet.  I also sang in the full cast’s final tribute song, Seasons of Love, from the long-running Broadway play, Rent.

For my solo, I played an improvised version of Carlos Santana’s Europa. The haunting melody is a longtime favorite of mine, one I’ve always wanted to perform, but never, before this, had the opportunity to do so.

The event was great fun. It was nice to reconnect with some friends and acquaintances that have fallen by the wayside, and it was nice to be in a performing environment once again. While I doubt that I will be seeking out any gigs in the near future, I’m thankful I was asked to perform for this one.

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