THEY SAY AN ELEPHANT NEVER FORGETS
English composer James Ord Hulme 1864-1932 wrote many pieces for military and brass bands. One of his lesser known compositions is The Elephant. A march, as a percussionist, I haven’t played since the late 1960’s.
Having spent more than 60 years playing marches of all descriptions, I might have claimed that there are few I cannot remember. Happily playing the vast majority of them without music.
However, The Elephant has me beaten. I’ve played it a dozen or so times recently in rehearsal, because it will feature on the program of the upcoming West Yorkshire Brass joint concert with Hall Royd Band on 18th April at St. Andrew’s Church, Undercliffe, Bradford. But I still can’t commit it to memory!
Clearly, this mere mortal can’t compete with the reputed memory of the elephant. Or perhaps it’s an age thing. But then elephants don’t live any longer than we do!