At 6 feet 4 inches tall and 326 pounds, it’s easy to see why Atlanta Falcons offensive guard Justin Blalock is able to “pancake the opponent.”
It’s also easy to imagine how he was once the big guy who could play — and easily carry — the tuba in his high school orchestra.
Blalock has been talking about his appreciation of music as spokesman for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s “When I Play Music” Campaign for Music Education — an effort that officially ends Thursday, although the need will go on. The goal is to raise at least $40,000 in small contributions and cultivate 1,000 new donors. To donate visit www.wheniplay.org. Falcons No. 63 is asking people to donate $5 to the campaign.
“It’s well known that when kids play music they achieve higher test scores, have more confidence, better concentration and experience a sense of achievement,” Blalock says in a promotional video on the ASO website. “Imagine the impact of music on kids if they could just learn to play.”
Blalock should know. He says that playing the tuba “helped me in all areas of life.” The Texas native also plays drums and guitar, and you’ll see his conducting skills June 14, when he hosts and guest-conducts the ASO’s annual “side-by-side” summer concert.
Members of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra will perform alongside the ASO. Blalock will lead the combined orchestras in John Williams’ “Raiders March” from the Indiana Jones films to end the evening. Tickets are $5 at www.atlantasymphony.org or 404.733.5000.
