Historical MC tuba resurrected

Long has it sat in the Student Center untouched and unplayed, its music silent to the world. But with the recent renovations it has been discovered again, and its history is quite impressive. The instrument has been with MC for over a century and has changed hands and seen so much of the school’s prestigious history. 

The fabled tuba first got to MC in the year of 1919 and was brought back from World War One by a veteran who had graduated from MC before serving. Where he acquired the tuba while serving is unknown. 

It sat dormant for a few years until MC football won its first City Championship. It was brought to the game, and, according to history, every player had to kiss the horn of the tuba before the game for good luck. 

“I’m thinking about reinstating that tradition,” said Head Varsity Football Coach Jordan Lynch. “If it worked for them, it will work for us, even if kissing the tuba helped spread polio back then. I think more traditions to do before each game is exactly what the team needs right now. The three hours we spend on a Friday after practice just isn't enough.”

The tuba would again achieve fame when it was then picked up by Mr. Mark Antonietti ’84 in his sophomore year at MC. 

“That glorious instrument is still around?” said Mr. Antonietti. “Man, the tunes I used to play on it back in the day. It was magical. I even brought it on my escapades at Notre Dame, and I reflect so fondly on my time there.”

It was also unconventionally used as an alarm for students in Father Jim Lewis’s classes back when he was still teaching. 

“Oh, it was so loud that some kids' ears would be bleeding,” said Fr. Jim, fondly reminiscing about good times. “I’ve been trying to get young [Mr. Dan] Haggerty to take it up instead of throwing tennis balls at students. It’s so much more effective.”

After the disbandment of the MC band and no teacher wanting to take up due to the school’s focus on being strictly an athletics factory, it was left abandoned to never be used again. 

“It’s just terribly sad how it's been left there to rot,” said Mr. Dan O’Connor ’90, MC Dean of Students, nearly in tears. “I almost want to take it up myself. I bet it would be very useful for waking up sleeping seniors in mass and making sure the freshmen are paying attention when I speak at lunch.” 

The idea of it being used as a football whistle is also currently being explored. 

“That would be really useful,” said Lynch. “I bet it would be really encouraging and loud to call sprints with it. Or I could use it in games to vent my anger when Jack Elliott throws tons of interceptions.”

Currently the instrument sits in the old counseling offices in what is commonly called “the Back Rooms” and “the Scary Place” by students. Mr. Perlberg hopes that with the new performing arts center someone will decide to take it up again.