When I got to MC, I decided to take up an instrument. My choice was Alto Saxophone. I then proceeded to take lessons from boys' music instructor Jerry Allen at some ungodly hour before classes started.

What I hadn't realized was that in taking lessons, it automatically placed me not just in the Orchestra but also in the Dance Band. The thing was, the Dance Band didn't need another Alto Sax so I was promptly handed a Tenor Sax (which was much bigger and heavier). I never could figure out the orchestra "deal" since the saxophone is not an orchestral instrument.

Now I lived about a mile from school and walked to MC. A Tenor Sax weighs about 20-30 pounds, plus the weight of the case. (I weighed 125.) And I'm sure everyone remembers that it was an uphill walk from Ditmars Blvd. to the school entrance. Needless to say, I dreaded carrying that case to school. This was before some genius came up with the idea of putting wheels on everything. Wheels, hell, I would have been happy with a shoulder strap.

Eventually, the sax stayed up in the music room and I never got to practice as I should. It didn't help when I finally began to take lessons with Mr. Camerata (the woodwind instructor), he told me that the Mr. Allen was incorrect in the way he told me to use the mouthpiece.

I knew I was in trouble when at one of the Dance Band concerts, [Dance Band Conductor] Mr. Lamatola gave me a solo. I stood up and began to wail. I was right on and as I ran up to a middle from a low C, I was so tense that the middle-C came out a full octave higher as a high-C. Mr. Lamatola was impressed with my "improv" and gave me a big "yeah" but it was pure accident. The next day, I played the same solo and it was disastrous with a major squeak in the middle.

Soon after, they asked if I would switch to a Baritone Sax -- not a problem -- but it was at least 10 pounds heavier. Anyway, I was not going to become another "Charlie Parker" [a saxophone legend] at this rate and soon fell away from the music department as I became more involved with tech theatre. (No 30 pound cases to carry back and forth there).

Fast forward to 1980.

I made a career of theatre and had received an MFA in Theatre Administration. In 1980, I was up for a job as Theatre Manager for the campus theatre at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA. I had to interview with the theatre and music departments. With my background in theatre, I had everything I needed to make the theatre department happy but my music background wasn't as strong. When I told them of my high school music career playing saxophone in an orchestra, they got such a kick out of the thought that they took me into their fold and we got along fine for the three years I remained there.

You never know what experiences will come in handy.

Tony Leto (Class of '71)

WebMaster's Note: I was really sorry when Tony left the Orchestra and Dance Band, because not only was he a terrific player ... he was also a great friend. I was already use to "goosing" innocent riders on the subway with my oversized combination clarinet/sax/flute case (and especially the Bass Clarinet, which I was recruited to play in "Oliver") ... so had I known that Tony wanted to play the Alto Sax, instead of a Tenor, I probably would have offered to switch instruments with him! (I doubt I would have been allowed to switch, though.) I love the sound and "feel" of a Tenor so much that if I win the Lotto tomorrow, one of the first things I'd buy is either a Selmer Mark VI, or a Conn "Super Action," Tenor Saxophone. Seriously. (I'd also love to buy a purple Chrysler Prowler, so there's no accounting for taste ... or lack thereof.) On a different note, I'm dying to find out -- but afraid to ask -- how Mr. Allen instructed Tony to "use his mouthpiece." We can only guess ... but maybe that's for a future story!