There is good news for musicians who are afraid that age is a reason to give up. No need, says Cees Moerenhout. He has been playing trumpet in the Stratums Muziekkorps St. Cecilia for seventy years. In a week Cees can blow out 89 candles and he has absolutely no intention of stopping.
The fact that he is still playing the trumpet enthusiastically at the age of almost ninety is actually not so special to him. It is mainly a matter of ‘keep practicing’ and faithfully attending the rehearsals of the band of which he has been a member for 70 years this year. “Music is a good outlet, it teaches you to relax.”
Of course, the muscle tone around his mouth is no longer optimal and his lungs expel less air for the high, bright tones. So he certainly no longer wants to measure himself with the best in the corps for whom the solos are reserved.
“That embouchure diminishes as you get older,” he says resignedly. “But it’s still enough,” he adds with conviction. And important: he still has enough to play with until the end of the rehearsal. At home he adds an hour of rehearsal ‘once or three a week’. And that, says Cees, is the best way to keep the trumpet playing at the right level.
He applauds that the repertoire of ‘Saint Cecilia’ goes along with the rejuvenation in the corps. “I like everything, but also the pop music we play.” Within the stock of march music he mentions Military Escort, the march that starts with trumpet blast. “Eight bars long.”
Recently he no longer has a brass trumpet, but one made of plastic. “That is very special, it weighs less than half.” It’s an adjustment he’s made because of his age.
Another adjustment has to do with his living environment. Cees has an apartment in a complex for the elderly and puts an electronic mute on his trumpet when he rehearses. “I’ve never had any complaints, so it will help.”