Many moons ago the mysterious figure of 'Prof' Levinson - a parent of a marimba-playing offspring, created several magical wooden instruments for his local school. The word soon went out that there was a musical alchemist in the Vancouver area - and more disturbing dear reader - he claimed he could do this for others!

Yes, I know you are all in wonder at the naivete of eight parents that answered his siren's call, but answer we did. Often we would make excuses to our nearest and dearest that on Thursday nights we would join together in that place oft whispered as "down the shop". Had we known then what we know now, how many of us would have ventured out on those dark nights?

Rumour has it that many profanities could be heard when the wind was in a certain direction and the moon waning. But it is true dear reader, I know because I was one of them. Often mallet would strike thumb or chisel become beguiled such that it no longer followed the will of the struggling parent - the horror!

Countless nights we tarried, returning to our homes before break of day. When will it be ready was the cry that always went up when we returned. How to explain to the uninitiated? Words of bonding and The Tenth Marimba would mean little to those who did not hang on every morsel of information let slip from the Professor's lips.

When will it be ready? More than one night we would wake in cold sweats at the remembrance of these words. When indeed!

The summer of '06 will always be looked on as the Year of the Marimba by those that were fortunate enough to travel the journey with Ed Levinson.

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