Exhibit rekindles musical passion

The auditorium was filled to over capacity and, although the temperature was below freezing outside, the stuffy heat inside had hundreds using the programs to fan their faces.

Printed on that program, about halfway down one of the inside pages in nearly microscopic letters, were the words that had me terrified.

“Solo by Greg Johnson.”

Although it was 25 years ago, the memories of my first high school jazz band solo is still fresh. I remember thinking how sweaty my palms were getting and hoping my fingers wouldn’t slip off the key pads on my baritone saxophone. We were playing what would become the theme song for the Northglenn (Colo.) High School jazz band, an upbeat version of the music from the chase scene in “The Blues Brothers.” In the middle, some of the band’s top players were called out by director Mike White to solo.

It was my turn. I stood up, shuffled up to the microphone and …

… well, to be honest, I don’t recall the actual solo. I remember thinking how dry my reed felt and that my jaw ached from prolonged pre-concert practice. I also recall much applause and a thumbs up from Mr. White.

It’s been several years since I gave much thought to my past musical career. I was a jock and band geek in high school and began at the University of Colorado at Boulder as a music major. Although I was an accomplished at classical saxophone, my real passion was jazz and big band music. I later realized that, while I had the talent to be a professional musician, I loved writing and language more.

Perhaps it’s this close, personal relationship I have with music that had these decades-old memories flooding back Saturday. I was at the Dorothy Page Museum in Wasilla to do a story on a traveling Smithsonian Institute exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The images of some of America’s musical pioneers and their audio clips stoked the fires of musical passion. And I realized, perhaps consciously for the first time, just how important music has been in my life.

It started early. My mother, Lisa Johnson, has a master’s degree in piano pedagogy (the study of piano theory). Over the past 40 years, she’s taught hundreds of youngsters about music and to play the piano, including her three children. She only let me quit piano lessons if I would take up another instrument.

Hello, saxophone.

My sister was also blessed with an amazing singing voice and has a master’s degree in choral conducting. In fact, she sang opera for Pope John Paul II when World Youth Day came to Denver. Rounding out the family musical résumé is my father, who picks at the guitar, and brother, who has no talent whatsoever but plays a mean radio.

I was lucky. My interest in music was cultivated from an early age and encouraged throughout my lifetime (my mother still nags a little that I need to play more often so I don’t loose my chops). There are many out there who haven’t been introduced to music at this personal level, and it’s no wonder. Music appreciation is truly one area that starts and ends in the home.

Visit the museum before this wonderful exhibit leaves (you have until Oct. 31) or, better yet, bring your children. Learn with them. Ask them to listen to the audio clips of American blues, country, gospel, spirituals and challenge them to find the similarities in their favorite music today. You’d be surprised at how many you’ll find.

If you’ve seen this exhibit, comment below about what you learned or struck a chord. If you haven’t, share a memorable musical moment.http://www.youtube.com/v/kaVQwjWMZ6c&hl=en&fs=1&">http://www.youtube.com/v/kaVQwjWMZ6c&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344">">