No, the Other Kind of Trekkie—A Trackie.
When I was in sixth grade, I attended my first official youth orchestra practice. I was nervous. My hands were frozen—I could barely play. My violin playing sounded like a 90 year old singing opera. But when the kid in the stand in front of me turned around and proudly revealed his, “I’ve got a violin and I’m not afraid to use it” T-shirt—it distracted me from my nerves. From there, I looked around the room and realized everyone had a music T-shirt on. There was the, “Gone Chopin, back in a Minuet” the “Handel me with care” and the very popular, “I’ll be Bach.” I realized that I was one of the few who apparently were not “on the inside.” I was not aware of such apparel.
Now in my adult years, I’ve noticed that many of the same students who were “on the inside” back then–still are. They really haven’t changed that much. They are the musicians that are now working as sound engineers, music producers and performers. They are the one’s who go to work in probably the same music T-shirts they had 20 years ago, but now, the shirts are very well worn and they don’t care. It’s more about being a proud member of the music world—-that’s their identity. They are more happy arguing lyrical phrasing, analyzing newly cut tracks and finding like minded musicians to hang with—to them that’s sensational living. It’s the “so what if I’m a geek–I’m doing it anyway. And by the way….you are who?” mentality. They are what I deem the official title of, “Trackie.”
I don’t believe that I ever made it “on the inside.” I’m just to goofy to be considered a “Trackie.” But I absolutley solute all of them for their passion and dedication for the craft. For you students, I promise that if you make friends with a Trackie—they will help you grow musically beyond all you could ever hope for.
