Just some food for thought, the following people were high school band kids:
Trent Reznor, lead singer for Nine Inch Nails, played saxophone and tuba in high school marching band and jazz band. He was also Professor Harold Hill in his high school's production of "The Music Man" as well as Judas in his high school's production of "Jesus Christ Superstar." (Where have I heard of that EXTREMELY POPULAR show before, known worldwide?)
Pamela Anderson, star of Baywatch and lots of other... things. She was also a high school sax player.
Jennifer Garner, star of TV's Alias, wife of Ben Affleck, and amazing actress in such movies as "Juno," "Elektra," and "13 Going on 30." Sax player.
Bill Clinton, 42nd president of the United States, was not only a sax player but also drum major in his high school band. He credits marching band as one of his first opportunities to learn how to lead.
Neil Armstrong (you know, the guy who walked on the moon) played baritone in school.
Tedy Bruschi, New England Patriots linebacker, was a sax player.
Drew Carey, from "Whose Line Is It Anyway" and "The Drew Carey Show" was a trumpet player in high school.
Richard Gere played saxophone and piano.
Julia Roberts played both oboe and clarinet in high school.
John Smoltz, future Hall of Fame pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, plays ACCORDION!
Gwen Stefani, from the band "No Doubt", is a flute player.
Dan Akroyd, movie star from "The Blues Brothers" and "Ghostbusters", plays tuba.
Steven Spielberg plays clarinet.
Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) played trumpet.
Nelly Furtado, NASCAR's Tony Stewart, and Bill Engvall (Blue Collar Comedy Tour) all shared the same interest in high school: trombone.
Aretha Franklin played... you guessed it, tuba!
Ewan McGregor ("Moulin Rouge"), Vanessa Williams ("Ugly Betty") and Samuel L. Jackson were all French horn players.
NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham was also a French horn player.
And lastly, for anyone who still has the Mukwonago stereotype that athletes and musicians are two incompatible breeds, watch this Superbowl commercial if you haven't seen it already: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPLX_ckw0G4
Have a great summer, and practice your instruments!
-TG
