A Conductor’s and Performer’s Guide to Steven Bryant’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone - Chester Jenkins

86 per se and knowing the passion this man has for paying it forward, for supporting the arts, for friendship and love of an individual, for inspiring an individual to reach his or her best, for creating an environment that individuals, musicians, students, just generally people, can really become the best they can realize in their potential. And for helping people who are in true need, on a humanitarian basis. And I think music does that. And I think how he does that in his life as a lawyer, as a supporter, as a person, ‘How can I pay it forward?’ That’s really important. So tell us a little bit, maybe, can you add on to your marching band experience? Because I think it’s kind of a unique story. JENKINS: Cool. Yeah…. HW: Thank you. I graduated from Michigan in three years instead of four. And I was in the marching band under William D. Revelli. So, I was president of the band alumni association, and I was having dinner with Dr. Sedatole in late 1997, talking about fund raising. So he finished dinner. Only Dr. Sedatole is (with emphasis) Dr. Sedatole at the time. And I said, ‘May I ask you a question?’ he said, ‘Sure.’ So I said, well next year is going to be the hundredth anniversary of the Michigan Marching Band. He knew that, he’s the director. JENKINS: (Laughs) Right. GOURWITZ: It’ll be the hundredth anniversary of the greatest fight song ever written. The Victors . That’s our view of it, right? LULLOFF: Oh, I think…I’ll put it up there. (Laughs) GOURWITZ: Well, each school we all believed our school fight song is the top. LULLOFF: Yeah, of course. GOURWITZ: And certainly, I think it’s The Victors. Anyway, and he knew that too. And he knew I’d be president of the band alumni association for 1998. So then I explained to him that 1998 I was going to turn 50 in the summer. July 20 th , 1998. And I asked the question, ‘I’d like permission to come back and try out to be a member of the Michigan Marching Band. And he must have laughed for a minute and a half. JENKINS: (Laughs) GOURWITZ: And I just sat there. And he looked at me and said, ‘You’re serious, aren’t you Howard?’ I said, ‘Yes sir, I am.’ LULLOFF: Hmm GOURWITZ: He said, ‘Howard, you remember these kids are 17, 18, 19, 20 years old?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ ‘Do you think you can keep up with them?’ I said, ‘I’ve lost 50 pounds,’