From the San Fran Chronicle article, linked from Obscure Store: Talent earned the Cal Poly Wind Orchestra an invitation to Carnegie Hall, but it’s sex appeal that will get them there. Thirteen female members of the orchestra posed nude, with their instruments strategically placed, for a calendar to help raise money for the orchestra’s trip to Carnegie. Needless to say, the calendars are selling well.
Comments
As a member of the Cal Poly Wind Orchestra I often am bombarded with both lude comments and occational praise over the nude calender. I would first like to point out that my colleages and close friends put together a very tasteful and beautiful calender. However debated by the university the calender was reviewed and accepted by numerous administrative officialls to ensure this aspect. Nonetheless what I would like to address is the misconception of “band camp.” I spite the movie American Pie for inlicting the trite expression on any kid holding what looks like a band instrument. The Cal Poly Wind Orchestra is playing Carnegie Hall this April. Much of the ensemble consists of both music students and students from other majors as well. The group has worked very hard to reach the level it has so such world class opportunities arise. “Band Camp” can be reserved for Marching Bands, not a group trying to achieve high culture. As for tomorrow evening, I am thrilled to be a playing in a 12 piece trombone choir at the local mission with Ms Ransom, the originator of the calender. She is a greater musician than I am and recieves my utmost respect for her clever idea.
Who isn’t doing a nude calender… what ever
Sorry if I offended any marching band folk, you guys rock as well.
Hello Colin,
The headline wasn’t mean to be a slam on you by any means. I took the headline from the site I got the link from, and I did find it funny considering there were a bunch of groups that were using nude calendars as a fund raiser.
But a slam on band folks would be a slam on me as well. I currently play in the Cascade Winds (http://www.cocc.edu/finearts/webpage/central_oregon_concert_band.htm) symphonic band, as as well as the Central Oregon Symphony (http://www.cosymphony.com/). This was after 4 years in the University of Oregon Campus Band as well as 4 years of high school band. Music is a big part of my life, and if you took offense, I’m sorry, but it was all meant to be in good fun.
I just pray that the folks in the groups I’m in don’t decide to do this, as it would be scary to see most of them nude :-).
-Jake