A. Ursyn
Orchestra / Drummer Tom
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Just
recently somebody told Tom about an event called the“Burning
Man.” .” Every year during the event people working in
all professions become artists. They gather on a desert to praise a
true artistic freedom, create collaborative art, play music, and encounter
some special experience. Everybody contributes with their own skills
and tools to share. Festivities end with a ceremony of burning a specially
built colossal wooden sculpture. After the event, participants clean
the whole area so there is no trace left. Tom (percussion) wants to contribute
with an installation titled “Burning
Love.”During this happening, broken old instruments
and other wooden objects related to the orchestra life will be set on
fire, with a musical accompaniment composed and performed by Tom. Tom
himself will appear as the Statue of Liberty
and will play a slit drum. Tom
already owns a Statue of Liberty costume
because, in order to earn extra money, he wears it to advertise for a tax
services office by waving on the streets to passing cars. The symphony orchestra
is not subsidized enough to be able to help Tom arrange his trip to the desert.
Participants have to bring water, food, fuel supplies, and everything they
need for their installations. Tom's luggage consists of: 1. A costume 2.
His own portable sculpture in wood, to be burned 3. Fuel 4. Matches 5. Beef
jerky 6. Chicken jerky 7. Life Savers 8. Briefs 9. A hat 10. Water 11. More
water 12. A camera 13. A Notepad 14. A pen 15. A driver's license, and a
car insurance and registration 16. He forgot his pajamas. His van is too
small for this purpose. He needs a bigger one now. Duncan, the media man
arranged for him to earn some money by playing for a short film festival
scheduled in late spring. He'll go both for this festival and for the "Burning
Man" celebration.
Drum
There once was a typical long-haired
bum
Who everyone thought was just
plain old scum.
But one day he saw an ad in
the news
For someone who could play
the blues.
So he got the job and now beats
the drum.
by Doug Falter