Continuing our look at the pages of my old jazz calendar we see Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker and then Ornette Coleman on the left.

Then comes a very young Louis Armstrong and a promo shot of the Paul Whiteman Orchestra followed by Django Reinhardt, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker.

In the back there is a small table with a drawer. That came from the apartment I lived in during the 70s. On it is a crash cymbal, a tambouring and a pair of sticks that was "lost" by a student. There is a copy paper box (the milk crate of the 21st century) has some crash cymbals and another tambourine. We also have a nice set of woodblocks.

The red bulletin board and pegboard is the center of the percussionist information area. First, of course, are the Band Room Rules. Then there is a lesson rotation schedule with the drum lessons highlighted. There would generally be between 15 and 20 percussionists each year. It was important to me that every kid get a chance to play every different instrument.

On the bulletin board is the Band Class Drum Assignment sheet. During every other day band class, drummers would rotate through 5 categories - bass drum, snare drum, auxilliary percussion, tympani and drum pad. Every class they were assigned a different part. A month before the concert, kids would pick parts to perform. Each kid got a part on a drum and a part on auxilliary percussion. Everyone was assigned to be backup on other parts in case someone was absent for the performance.

On the previous page, a tambourine can be seen on the auxilliary percussion table. On the little end table you can see a second one. There is also a tamborine in the cardboard box ... and there are 2 more hanging on the pegboard. Just like snare drums, having 5 tambourines playing at the same time is not good.

Please notice that the pegboard is where six mallets for cymbals and tympani are stored. Or I should say mallet - singular. There is a notice posted every few feet reminding percussionists to clean up the drum area and put all mallets away when done. Sigh ...