BANDING TOGETHER

As he had done almost every week for years, Arthur flipped through the church’s hymn book to select hymns for the service on the upcoming Sunday morning. It had become mundane, but as the music director for St. Arbuck’s there was little else he could do.

Suddenly, a bright light filled the room. It was warm, welcoming. He sat back, looking around the room in utter amazement. After a moment, a booming voice thundered, “Arthur - it is I, the Lord your God.” “My Lord!” Arthur cried out. “I have a quest for you,” the voice resumed, “the people of your congregation grow tired of the music. I need you to gather together a worship band.” “Worship band?” Arthur asked, “but I’ve never been to sea.” “How about a worship band?” came the reply. “Oh, that I can do,” Arthur affirmed. “Very well,” God said, “keep your eyes and ears open. Now go forth.” Arthur looked puzzled. “Who are the three going ahead of me?” Arthur asked. “Go. Now,” came the reply.

As quickly as it had come, the light disappeared. Still in awe of what just happened, Arthur took a few minutes to collect his racing thoughts. “A quest, from the Lord,” he whispered to himself, before shaking his head. Standing with purpose, Arthur cried out, “A quest! From the Lord!” With that he ran outside, jumped into his 1987 Chrysler minivan and…

… went nowhere. He looked around until his eyes set on the gas gauge, indicating the beast was emptier than a mosh pit at a Celine Dion concert. Resigning himself to walking to the nearest gas station, Arthur grabbed a jerry can out of the back and set off on his fuelish journey.

As he was walking back, Arthur was suddenly taken by the sweetest soprano sound he had ever heard rolling through the air, enchanting in its beauty. He followed the music to its source, a performing arts centre nearby, and walked inside where he was greeted by a young lady behind the desk. “How can I help you, sir?” she asked politely. “I just heard a flawless soprano from here,” Arthur answered. The lady smiled. “Ah,” she said, “you’ve come looking for treble.” “Yes, have you any treble makers here?” Arthur inquired. “I know who you’re looking for,” she answered. Looking off to the corner to the right, she pointed and said, “that’s Kimberley.”

Arthur thanked the lass for her help and walked towards Kimberley. “Excuse me, Kimberley?” Arthur asked, “might I have a word with you?” She looked up at him and said, “Certainly. Please, sit.” “I heard you singing from outside,” Arthur gushed, “you have the voice of an angel.” “Yes, it’s in here,” she remarked as she placed a box on the table, “now what can I do for you?” “I have been given a quest by the Lord,” Arthur explained, “would you be in our worship band?” “But I’ve never been to sea,” Kimberley answered. “What about a worship band?” Arthur asked. “Yes, I dearly would!” Kimberley exclaimed. With that, the duo made their way back to the minivan to continue the search.

After they had gone a few blocks, Kimberley spoke up. “Hold on,” she said, “I have a feeling we should wait here.” As if on cue, an electrifying wall of virtuosic guitar came from an apartment building on the corner. Arthur parked the van and they ran towards the building. There, on a balcony on the second floor, they found a man, bedecked in a velvet suit, his fingers racing across the fretboard of his Les Paul like they belonged to the love child of Speedy Gonzalez and Road Runner.

“Excuse me, sir,” Arthur called out, “might I talk with you a moment?” The man was slightly startled, so he stopped playing and looked down. “You may,” he shouted down towards the two. “What is your name, axe-master?” Kimberley asked. “Otto Van Lauperhalen,” he replied, “Count Otto Van Lauperhalen, to be precise.” “You’re nobility?” Arthur queried. “Yes,” Count Otto answered, “but I felt an overwhelming feeling to come to this country to join a band. I am beginning to worry it may never happen.” “I have good news, Count,” Arthur smiled, “there’s no need to fret about your need to fret. We’re not stringing you along or picking on you. Would you be interested in joining our worship band?” “But I’ve never been to sea,” Count Otto replied. “How about joining our worship band?” Kimberley piped in. “That would be amazing, please yes please!” Count Otto exclaimed. He retreated into his apartment and made his way outside, guitar in hand, within minutes. The trio made their way back to the minivan and began their search for another member.

They were at the corner of 5th and Main when the minivan began to shake, moved by a funky bass line that rattled the windows nearby. To the left stood a tall, blonde woman – late 30s or so – slapping on her bass guitar like it was an impudent oaf bringing vegetables to King Henry VIII. Arthur parked close by and the three exited the vehicle. “Arthur, Kimberley,” Count Otto said, “I’m actually starving right now, so I’m going to grab some nourishment. I’ll meet you back here.” Arthur and Kimberley nodded their heads and proceeded to walk towards the busker. “Hello, miss…” Arthur began as they came nearer. “Leigh. Leigh Geddy,” she said without missing a beat. “Leigh,” Kimberley said in her high, lilting voice, “we’re starting a worship band and were wondering if you might be keen on joining?” “You know I’ve never been to sea, right?” Leigh shot back. “How about a worship band?” Arthur asked. “Sure, sounds good to me,” Leigh said agreeably, “let me just grab my two bass guitars.” Arthur looked behind her, where he saw not two but three bass guitars. “Don’t you mean three?” he asked quizzingly. “The third one stays behind,” Leigh stated, “I don’t go to third bass with people I just met.” The three walked back to the minivan where Count Otto was waiting. Leigh opened the back and put her bass guitars on the floor. “So now what?” Kimberley asked Arthur. “The basses are loaded and we have a full Count,” he replied, “I believe we just need a drummer.”

“Just a sec,” Leigh piped up as she took her phone out of her pocket, “I know someone who might be interested.” She found the contact number and called. After a few rings her call was answered. “Hello, Tom? It’s Leigh,” she remarked, “Listen, I have… what’s up? It’s a Disney Pixar film about a house with balloons, but that’s not important right now. You around for a bit? Awesome, see you in 5.” Leigh placed her phone back in her pocket and uttered, “I think you’ll like Tom. He’s a little eccentric, but he’s good. Jump in, I’ll tell you where to go.”

The quartet loaded into the minivan and began what they hoped would be the last leg of their quest. Leigh guided them through the streets of the city until they arrived at Tom’s house, where she led them to his front door. She knocked loudly on the door, shouting, “Hey, Tom – it’s me. Open up.” The sounds of someone running up the stairs and across the floor could be heard from the inside. The door then opened to reveal a burly man, clad in a T-shirt, jeans and a top hat that was a good two feet tall. “Heyyyy,” he said lazily, “come on in.” They entered the home and made their way to the living room, where in the corner sat a large drum kit. It had toms and cymbals of multiple sizes, double bass and gleaming red. “Tom, this is Arthur, Kimberley and Count Otto,” Leigh introduced. “Dudes, nice to meet you,” Tom rolled off. “Likewise,” Arthur responded on behalf of the group, “I love your hat, by the way.”

Tom looked momentarily vacant, until he realized what Arthur was talking about. “Oh, yah,” Tom laughed as he took the large piece off of his head, “that’s my high hat.” “Why don’t you show them what you can do?” Leigh interjected. “Sure,” Tom said nonchalantly. He stood up from his chair and walked behind the kit. What followed was a masterpiece of percussion: Precise, crisp and expertly crafted. The crew listened in awe, clapping wildly when Tom wrapped up his performance. “You are amazing,” Arthur commented, “listen, would you be interested in joining a worship band?” Tom looked perplexed. “Never been to sea, my man,” he said. “What about a worship band?” Arthur quipped. Tom turned away from Arthur and walked back towards his kit. He took off one of the cymbals, walked back and knelt before Arthur, extending the piece towards him. “That means he agrees to,” Leigh explained, “it’s cymbalic.” Arthur was overjoyed.

Quest completed.

They all started to head towards the minivan when the same bright light Arthur had seen earlier shone around them. “You have done well, Arthur,” God’s booming voice praised. “Thank you, my Lord,” Arthur said humbly, “these are fine people, and we are all looking forward to playing together in the worship band.” “Wonderful!” the Lord bellowed…

… “Now make sure you are at the pier for 0730. You set sail at 0800.”

Happy trails.