‘You Don’t Play the Sax? Why Not?’

Mona Van Vooren, 57, walked into a New Horizon's Band recital, unannounced, with a new saxophone she could not play, and was welcomed with open arms.

Born in Germany, I attended a private all-girls grammar school, and music and the arts in general were high on our program (besides all the other subjects, like all sciences, sports and even chess!)

Music as an element always appealed to me; I think I have a very musical ear. When I got my first F-flute, I found out I could play anything on it, so long as I knew the tune. My problems lay with the music theory. I could not be convinced by my teachers nor motivate myself to learn all this abstract “stuff,” two-dimensional on a paper… in truth, I abhorred all that cold matter. So, I strictly refused to even take a look at it.

In the school band, I played in the rhythm section, and I managed to make do without reading music, just relying on my musical memory. Then, of course, life took me on other journeys, and music fell totally by the wayside. The only form of music in my life was listening to it, not making it. Then came 2008, and with it the grand opening of a saxophone store here in St. Louis (where I had moved to from Paris in 1994).

As I attended the event, I encountered a lady at the buffet. She asked me whether I, too, was a saxophone player. I had to admit I was not! She asked, “Oh, really? And why not?” “Well,” I said, “I love jazz, and I am a total sucker for the sound of saxophones, but I just never learned to play it.” She said: “Well, you know it is never too late, so why don’t you do it now?”

Me: “Really? I think the saxophone is a very difficult instrument, and I can’t even read music, so how can I ever accomplish that?” She: “You know you could, if you joined our band. That would be a good place to start.” Me: “Your band??? I never touched a sax, and you think I could just join your band?? That sounds like an impossible thing!”

So she told me about the philosophy of the New Horizons Bands, and how in “her” band, quite a few folks had started from my position and were now blissfully making real music on their instruments! She handed me her card, and said, “If you ever want to know more, just come over and take a look for yourself. You know, it may just give you new ideas…” I took the card.

A week went by… the card was lying right next to my laptop… my thoughts turned around the idea of a saxophone in my hands… and I got up, and drove back over to the sax store. As I entered, the owner, Mark Overton, was there. He recognized me from the party, and said: “What can I do for you?” “I want to buy a saxophone.” “Oh good, what kind?” “A tenor, I think.”

“Oh good! They are all over here, so take your time, browse around, and if you see any that you like, you may try them out. We have sound rooms.” I looked at him and laughed: “Not so fast. I can’t try them out.”  ”Oh? why not? Did you forget your mouth piece? You can borrow one from us, no problem!”

I shook my head: “No, I can’t because I wouldn’t know what to do with a saxophone. I’ve never played one, ever!” He looked at me, surprised, and I noticed that this announcement took him unprepared. “Can I pick one up?” I asked. He said, “Sure, go ahead!”

So I walked over and grabbed one by the neck, trying to lift it off the stand. Woah! I almost keeled over! “No way! What is this? A torture instrument? How heavy are these things? 100 pounds? How can I even manage to blow into this contraption while it hangs around my neck and bends me down?”

He laughed heartily. “Yeah, they are kinda heavy, it’s true… but you get used to it.” “Used to it? I’m not sure I want to get used to having 100 pounds hanging around my neck!” “Well how about an alto then?” Mark suggested. I looked at him: “Awww, but I am just so hooked on the sound of the tenor!”

Mark came back: “How about I play this for you? You’ll see, you can get a really great sound out of an alto, too!” I still looked skeptical… “And it’s only half the weight!” he added with a twinkle in his eye. “Ah, now you got me interested! Go ahead, let me hear it.” He played and in no time, I agreed, yes, the alto had something going for it, too, besides half the weight! So, I ended up buying a vintage Conn Naked Lady of the ’30s, a sheer silver beauty of an alto saxophone.

I carried my new treasure home and went straight online to order a “saxophone for beginners” method. Thus armed, I proceeded to learn how to coax the first sounds out of my new instrument. So far so good… but that card was still lying next to my laptop… the band…. the New Horizons… would they really let me in?

Oh … Why torture my mind over this? I’ll just drive over and check them out, like she said… and so, the following Wednesday, I packed my horn in its vintage case and drove there. When I arrived, I was already a little late… so as I opened the door to the rehearsal room, the entire band got distracted and came to a screeching halt as the conductor put down his baton, now all 60-some eyes staring at the intruder.

Silence… then the conductor, with a glance at my instrument case, said: “Ehem… I was going to say, you got lost, but after looking at your case there, I’d say, maybe not. Is that a saxophone in there?” I said, “Yes, it is.

“So you are a musician and want to play with us then? And how did you find this place?” he asked. “Well, maybe I won’t play with you right away, and I found you because of that lady over there, Yvonne. She gave me her card and invited me to come here.” “Very good! But why can’t you play then? ” “Because I can’t play yet. I am a total beginner.”

The director: “Can you play the concert B flat scale?” Me: “I can try, but I’m not sure.” “Ok, play it for us.” I got my horn out, and played the concert B flat scale… not like it should be done, but as best I could, with the entire band staring at me, somewhat intrigued by the scene…. “Hmmm, very good,” the conductor said… then turning to the band members: “Will somebody get her a chair and a music stand, please?” Several folks got up and arranged for the items.

“Very good,” he said to me, “You can sit down there and pay attention.” I did as I was told. The band played on. I tried to look at the note sheets in front of me, but they did not make much sense at all. At break time, I got to interact with the members and say hello to Yvonne again. She was happy to see me! Well, suffice it to say, I stayed and learned… learned to read music, learned to play my horn, and it’s been a year and a half by now, and I can can read sheet music, I can play second alto, I managed to join 4 more bands, each of which is different, from jazz combo to symphony to big band!

I went and enrolled in summer jazz camps in town; I take jazz improv lessons at the local community college…and the fun has only just begun! Learning an instrument has been one of the most rewarding decisions I ever made in my life, and I am just forever grateful to the New Horizons Band of Godfrey/Illinois, and to Yvonne Mossman, my “musical mother,” and to my band buddies of the New Horizons Band, who put up with me - the beginner - to help me become a musician, and to Stanley Chytil, our band director, who taught us all how to be a band and make great music! Thanks to you all from the bottom of my heart! New Horizons Bands just rock!

Mona Van Vooren
St. Louis