And the band played on ... and on ... and on
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382337)
Rockingham, Australia
March 1, 2017 6:57am CST
After writing about farmers dressed up as ballerinas and dancing in tutus and hobnail boots, several other tunes came to mind that bring back very vivid memories. One of these is the 'Floral Dance'.
When we were in a country town brass band in Western Australia we often played at school and church fetes. At one church fete we had to play the 'Floral Dance' while all the young members of the parish performed a maypole dance. A maypole dance isn't a short affair so we had to repeat the piece over and over. It was a marathon for us, particularly for those on cornet.
Whether the dancers were well rehearsed or not I'm not sure but things started to go wrong early in the piece, the ribbons became tangled, the poor lady responsible began to shout and shove kids here and there and eventually stormed off.
And the band played on… and on… and on. Terrible for the poor instructor but incredibly funny when rehashed at many a band get-together later.
Photo is of our son about to get a note out of Vince's Bbb Bass
24 people like this
22 responses
@JudyEv (382337)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Mar 17
There were kids and ribbons going everywhere, one stout lady screaming and gesticulating and the poor old band struggling on. 
@JudyEv (382337)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Mar 17
@Lupita234 A video would have been very funny. 
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43645)
• Denver, Colorado
1 Mar 17
Sounds like a scene in a comedy film.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (382337)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Mar 17
@teamfreak16 @FayeHazel It was pretty funny. We were totally out of breath by the time our leader decided enough was enough and stopped us. By then the poor 'teacher' had stormed off and was probably halfway home.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
2 Mar 17
I am sure they were frustrating as they were happening and maybe even a little embarasing but such a delight to remember
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382337)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Mar 17
I felt really sorry for the lady. She would have put such a lot of effort into it.
@allknowing (153529)
• India
1 Mar 17
I used to act in many plays while at school and there were occasions when I forgot lines and you know what the consequences of that would mean.
2 people like this
@allknowing (153529)
• India
2 Mar 17
@JudyEv Must have been there and so I do not recall how I messed it up despite them being there
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382337)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Mar 17
@allknowing Maybe they messed up their prompting. :)
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
2 Mar 17
You never know how live performances will turn out lol very cute picture of your son.
2 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
2 Mar 17
@JudyEv Yes it really is. That made it all the worse.
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
1 Mar 17
I have never seen a Maypole dance but I remember mom telling me about one that she watched... said that it was gorgeous, but I'm sure yours was a lot more fun to watch!!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382337)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Mar 17
There are some YouTube clips and they are very polished. Ours wasn't polished at all - but it was funny. 
@JudyEv (382337)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Mar 17
It is a shame the poor lady got so upset. If only she could have laughed it off but it was way too important to her.
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
1 Mar 17
I need to find a video I saw years ago of a dance troup, all of them in wedding gowns performing a fast paced active number. It was hysterical.
2 people like this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
1 Mar 17
That is life and life is funny.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382337)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Mar 17
It is indeed and that was one of the funny occasions.
@nottoooldtowrite (2715)
• Philippines
2 Mar 17
Well, I only dance in the club when I am out with friends.
1 person likes this
@nottoooldtowrite (2715)
• Philippines
3 Mar 17
@JudyEv that's right. There was one instance when we stayed til 5am dancing in the club.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382337)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Mar 17
@nottoooldtowrite What a night that would have been! 
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
1 Mar 17
What a cute photo. Oh dear though - at that incident, it's like something you would see in a movie.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382337)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Mar 17
It was SO funny. Even now I can just see all those kids going every which way, dropping ribbons and getting tangled up. 'xcuse me, gotta find a tissue.
@JudyEv (382337)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Mar 17
I guess he is about two or three there. He is now 43 and has just graduated as a Doctor of Philosophy in Jazz Studies. As you might guess, we are proud of him.
@JudyEv (382337)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Mar 17
He would kneel on the floor to blow into it and get quite a decent note from it despite their relative sizes. :)
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
2 Mar 17
I am amused the instructor stormed off.
1 person likes this
