User blog comment:JasonAlexande08/I'd hate to double blog...but SCHOOL SUCKS./@comment-1844926-20100904032424/@comment-1874924-20100904041613

Ah, yes, Band. I played French horn starting in grade 7, and it had a profound influence on my life. Both my junior high and high school had bands with national reputations--my high school band director was rated among the top 10 nationwide at one point--and strongly symphonic programs, and that was how classical music became the genre I prefer.

Those of you who have been reading my Courtney story have seen that I am somewhat knowledgable about certain musical matters, and my school band programs are the most important reason why. Indeed, the Tchaikovsky symphony movement that Chapter 3 is built around is a piece I know well,having performed it both in high school (where it was considered "B team" material) and in college.