I saw a performance of the NIU Concert Band Tuesday night that was truly enlightening, lively, and unfortunately, inspirationally deflating.

One of the reasons I attended the performance was to fill a requirement for my Music 220 class. I chose this performance especially because I was once in a concert band, and thought it would bring back old memories.

I was not let down; memories returned of me missing notes and not keeping time.

Also in my day, lively upbeat music was always played so the listener could maybe smile or tap a foot. All of these components were in Tuesday’s performance.

The one thing I do not remember from my playing days was the mass exit when only half of the concert was over. After the fourth piece finished, at least 20 people left, and after the sixth piece was completed, 20-30 more people left.

These people, students (based on their age), either could not hold their bladders for a 55-minute production or were simply so rude that half or three-fourths of a concert was more than any one person should put up with at one time.

I also cannot imagine that all of these people had engagements that could not wait.

I wonder if these people can sit through a whole Schwarzenegger film without bolting for the door before the plot is revealed, or even introduced, for that matter.

I still have two performances to attend before the semester ends, so those of you who attend these events, try and sit, relax and enjoy what you are there for in the first place.

Robert Hollander

Pre-Journalism

Sophomore