In September 2022, I heard a marching band called the School of Honk (http://schoolofhonk.org)at a local "porch fest" event. At the end of the performance, I heard an invitation that I could not refuse: "Join us every Sunday afternoon, even if you've never played in a band before, even if you don't have an instrument." When I showed up, someone handed me a trombone and showed me how to play a low B flat. It was the first time I had ever handled a brass instrument.

Four months later, I now own my own horn (a 30 something year old King 606), and little by little I am learning the band's repertoire which includes Oye Como Va, Superstition, Ghostbusters, and Green Onions. The founder of the band is a trombonist name Kevin Leppmann who has put together his own arrangements for horns, reeds, and percussion.

I stumbled into Trombone Chat when I googled a question related to embouchure. This board appears to be a tremendous resource for a beginner like me.

Michel Selva

Great story. Welcome!

Here is a bit of background about School of Honk: Once a year, we participate in a weekend-long street party called the Honk Fest (https://honkfest.org). During the rest of the year, we get together for a weekly practice session, followed by an outdoor performance if the weather permits. Here is a link to a recent video of us performing Oye Como Va just outside the gates of Harvard University. As you can see, there are LOTS of trombones!

<YOUTUBE id="2mcfadquWZA">https://youtu.be/2mcfadquWZA</YOUTUBE>

Be sure to check out the Somerville Porchfest on May 13!

Yeah, welcome! Stick with it, it's a hot instrument

Too Cool! Sorry that scene didn't exist when I was living up there...