Jeff

I came to School of HONK in early 2016, fresh off a serious heartbreak, after a recent diagnosis with a chronic illness, during a years-long stretch of my life without music and dance. I was in serious need of joy and exuberance, and my friend Deidra pointed me this way.

I was hooked from the start: the warm welcome, the subversive public display of music and joy, the unconditional “no wrong notes” embrace paired with teaching and mentorship.

School of HONK has given me so much since then: a community of friends, a newfound relationship with movement and dance, the thrill of helping others learn — plus some really priceless, joy-packed musical memories and relationships I’ll always treasure.

This thing is really special. (You, reader, should probably join us.)

Sophia

I was born to two punk musicians, so the idea of playing unplugged never struck me as a possibility until I saw School of Honk parading through Davis Square. It was everything I could possibly want: spontaneous public performance, loud music, and dancing. I mean, who gave these people permission to have so much fun? I wanted in.

Despite playing music for over half of my life, I was intimidated by the thought of picking up a new instrument amidst a group of complete strangers. One Sunday, years after my initial introduction to SoH, I decided to go for it. Within weeks, I was completely enamored with snare and the incredibly supportive community that was teaching me how to play it.

Being a mentor has been an equally important experience for me. Before School of HONK, I always felt pressured to approach instruction with heavily structured, traditional models, despite my own inability to learn that way. It’s been a blast to guide newcomers in a way that feels natural for them and for me. Viva SoH!

Tara

I stumbled upon School of HONK thanks to a friend whose daughter was invited to play during the 2015 HONK! Festival. She asked if my son, Julien, wanted to join too. He was game, so we used markers, scissors, and masking tape and dotted up a t-shirt and off he went. We mostly spectated that weekend, but I started taking him to Sunday practices regularly. Watching and listening to the group play music filled me with so much joy and excitement, I simply could not resist picking up an instrument and playing myself. I don’t know who I thought I was. I had never played an instrument in my life! I knew nothing about reading music or what notes were being played or playing scales. But… I. Could. Not. Help. Myself!!

At that time, my eldest was 7 and we had another 3-year-old who spent those Sunday afternoons at home with my husband. Parenting is hard, man, and in the haze and demands of it, I had sort of forgotten the parts of me that were not just about being a mom. There were so many hours spent at the karate studio, soccer fields, school potlucks, birthday parties, playdates, racing to pickups and dropoffs. It’s easy to get lost in all that. But, quite unexpectedly, here we were, me and my eldest, getting to do this amazing, challenging, fun, creative thing TOGETHER, and enjoying it EQUALLY. This experience, which really started out as a fun activity for him, turned out, to my surprise, to be a fun activity for me too. And so, the first gift School of HONK gave me was quality time with my son making joyful music.

Over the years, School of HONK has continued to give us many gifts. My son and I have learned to play our instruments competently. I play trumpet and he plays trombone. We have made so many friends, we’ve traveled together to two HONK! TX festivals, my son has trusted, adult role models in his life that have become dear friends, and we’ve created memories that will last a lifetime. Most importantly, we have fun, and most of the time, we still don’t worry about playing wrong notes.

Rosalie

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Jason

I joined School of HONK to be able to play trombone after not having played for a number of years. But in the year and a half that I’ve been with the band, it’s become so much more than that. School of HONK and the HONK community in general is an amazing group of people and I’m so happy that I’m able to be a part of it. I had played trombone through high school, but stopped in college and for a couple of years afterwards. Playing with School of HONK has left me kicking myself for stopping in the first place! Plus, after playing trombone for a while, I’ve been able to branch out and learn the sousaphone as well, which is a ton of fun.

Grace

School of HONK is a place I can go, every Sunday afternoon, and without fail, I can dance, sing, laugh, play my trombone, learn, teach, solo and get inspired, all in the space of a couple of hours.

I first saw School of HONK being led across the Davis Square intersection by a group of polka-dot-covered dancers. The second time I saw the band was in the pouring rain of the 2016 HONK! parade. Shortly after the HONK! Festival I had some sad news and I had to return home to the UK where my Dad passed away. Upon returning to Somerville I figured that that polka-dotted, damp group of cheerful looking people might provide a small source of happiness and community during a fairly lonely and sad part of my life. It’s safe to say that my inclination was correct and I am forever thankful to have found such a welcoming, fun, and empowering community to help me through the ebbs and flows of grief. Sundays with School of HONK will forever have a special place in my heart.

Joe

I’m Joe and I play trombone with the School of HONK. I’ve been a bass and guitar player all of my life. I stumbled upon the HONK! Festival a number of years ago and immediately fell in love with the music I heard. I dragged my family to the HONK! Fest and other brass shows around town for the next few years, wishing I’d taken up a brass instrument when I was young. I went out and bought a trombone with the goal of, maybe someday, after lots of practice, finding one of those bands to play in. After a lesson and couple weeks of practice I was introduced to School of HONK and I was standing in Davis Square playing in one of those bands I thought was years away! Since then I’ve met so many nice people I now call my friends and have made progress on the trombone in a way that would not have been possible on my own. I rarely miss a week at School of HONK as it’s become an extremely fun and important part of my life.

Rayna

At last weekend’s parade, an elderly lady came dancing up to me.

“What IS this? Who ARE you people?”

“We’re the School of HONK!” I smiled back.

“Oh! And what, or where, is ‘Honk’?” she asked, curiously.

I paused a moment.

“The School of HONK isn’t a thing or a place,” I replied. “It’s a way of life.”

Marie

A long time ago: I took classical piano lessons as a kid. I never practiced, and faked my way through recitals. I was too shy to practice when anyone was around to hear me.

Twenty years ago: I got a beautiful electric guitar for my birthday (thanks Adam!). I took occasional lessons and jammed a bit with friends, but always played quietly, backed up others, felt too shy to solo and had no idea how to improvise.

Ten years ago: After attending Honkfest I got a marching xylophone from Adam (he’s a pretty great gifter) and joined a local open band. I did that for a bunch of years but never soloed – always too shy and still having no idea how to improvise. And kind of hating the sound of the xylophone.

Three years ago: I had a weird kidney disease that kept me isolated and sleepless for one winter. A friend loaned me his drum set and trombone. I did a bunch of banging on the drums, and figured out how to make a sound on the trombone.

Two years ago: I brought the trombone to School of Honk, and played the sound that I knew how to make (B flat). Right then, I decided that if anyone asked me to solo, I’d say yes, no matter what. Who cares? What’s the worst that’ll happen? I never imagined I’d be a trombonist – but two short years later, here I am, playing in a few bands and loving this instrument.

Music has always been a passion for me – listening listening listening to every kind of music. But I never knew I was a musician. School of Honk’s approach has been perfect for me – all learning by ear, in a joyful, supportive environment where all levels are truly welcome. I’m sticking with my rule to always say yes to soloing, so I’m learning to improvise a bit. I’m eternally grateful to School of Honk for allowing me to finally stop being too shy to play while others are listening.

“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.”
― Maya Angelou

Sophie

My parents signed me up for piano lessons in Kindergarten, and I owe everything that followed to them. I studied with three piano teachers over ten years, including a scary one who chewed on peppercorns and kept pet peacocks.

To make a long story short, my primary instrument is now accordion, which I play as part of my street show, Sophie’s Smokin’ Squeezebox. Busking enabled me to live a nomadic, international lifestyle for six years after college.

Although I had amazing adventures, I lacked a sense of community during that time, so at the end of 2015 I decided to move to the Boston area. While canvassing for Bernie during the primary elections in March of 2016, I heard wafting music (“We Got That Fire”) and followed it until I found the source.

I adore brass music. Especially trumpets. And so I ditched my plans (whoops) and followed the parade. I thought to myself, “I would absolutely love to do this. It’s too bad I don’t play an instrument that counts.”

Fast-forward to January 1st, 2017. It’s a new year, I have resolutions. Specifically, to be more musical and to be more social. To make some new like-minded friends. So when my friend Matt Morin (HONK clarinetist who I know as a fellow accordion player) told me that I, in fact, count as a reed instrument and invited me to HONK, I eagerly accepted.

I immediately fell in love with HONK. I love the welcoming, low-key musical environment and I love that it’s full of fun, creative people who are keen to hang out after. I find it incredibly fulfilling musically and socially. It was exactly what my life in Boston was missing, and I only wish I had joined sooner. Several weeks in, I purchased a melodica (louder than accordion).

When I’m not at HONK, I continue to perform on the streets as well as substitute teach elementary school and sing with Chorus pro Musica. Soon I will be starting grad school for a Master’s in Elementary Education, a career in which I’ll use as much music as they’ll let me.