I received a note, forwarded to me from a facebook friend recently.  It was about the setting up of an alumni ensemble/orchestra.  Someone had taken the initiative to realize a promise he made to himself two years ago, that he would organize and set up an orchestra for the former members of his high school’s group.

Alumni ensembles and orchestras aren’t that uncommon.  My high school’s symphonic band has an alumni arm, and so does a handful of bands from other schools.

Much has changed in the group that I used to be associated with.  The members are more “professional” now, with many holding certifications from graded music examinations.  Their morale seems high too.  As an orchestra, they are even trying out pieces arranged by student members.  That was something only one or two of my friends from my then orchestra attempted but never took off because of a combination of enthusiasm and expertise.  I guess they were ahead of their time.

Their numbers seem respectable for a small orchestra at the moment.  The present members are quite recent alumni, and their graduation classes does not include mine. I feel terribly old!  They are nevertheless, looking to increasing their numbers in any ways possible.

Understandably, a lot of them hold fond memories of their experiences in the orchestra.  Regretfully, I cannot say the same for my then orchestra mates.  We were coerced into joining a student group — the orchestra was a last resort, and a backwater of sorts.  A number of my friends were only too glad that it all ended the day they graduated.  So it comes as a surprise to us that the group we had dragged our feet to now has members who are taking the initiative to organize a group made up of alumni.

Will I take up the invitation?  There’s almost a 100% chance that I won’t know anyone in the fledgling orchestra.  I’m almost certain that none of my friends from back then will have the technical ability to perform, seeing that we’ve been out of high school for at least 7 or 8 years.  Plus, how long will the bout of enthusiasm last?  While I don’t hold the unrealistic hope that the group would flourish eternally, I don’t want to see it fade out when the pioneering members move on to their lives outside of music eventually.  I guess I’m not of the enjoy-it-while-it-lasts camp.  That’s quite a pessimist huh?

Nostalgia’s for those young enough to remember.