Elmer for the instrument thing?
Elmer plays flute and piccolo!
When he was in 5th grade, his school did a thing called "Try Band", which is basically where kids can go in and try different instruments to see what they want to play when the next school year came around.
He knew he didn't want to play any of the brass instruments, they just seemed too loud and in your face. So he tried woodwinds. He started with clarinet and saxes, but found that he didn't like how similar and relatively easy they were to play.
But then in the corner of the stage, he saw the flutes. He had seen people play them before and he had always thought they sounded nice, but what really sold it for him was how difficult the flute is to play. He watched so many people struggle as they tried to make a sound come out, most failing and giving up. When he tried, it took him a few tries, but he eventually got out a shaky and quiet but definite sound. They girl running the section smiled at him and told him that he seemed destined for it, and that was that.
Now fast forward about a year and a half, and he's gotten pretty good. He can play lots of pieces and he thoroughly enjoys practicing. So he decides to take up another instrument, just for fun. And the natural decision is piccolo.
He started taking private lessons and he didn't really feel the need to tell anyone because he didn't think he was all that good. In reality, he was excelling quickly for someone who just picked it up.
Fast forward again and it's junior year. Elmer's in the top band at the school and they were sight reading through a piece to see if they would play it for their upcoming concert. Everyone loved the piece. Each part was complicated and fascinating and everyone wanted to play this piece so badly. So imagine their disappointment when they learn that they need a piccolo, and they don't have one. As everyone's sulking about their lost song, Elmer quietly tells the director that he's been playing piccolo for 2 and a half years and he would be happy to play it fir the concert. From that day on, everyone praised him for saving their concert and their hearts, and every time someone mentioned it, Elmer just blushes and says it's no problem and that anyone would have done it.
As for what bands he's in, Elmer loves music so obviously he's in concert band and he loves the orchestral music, so orchestra was no question. The only band he didn't join was jazz band and not because he didn't enjoy playing the music. He just didn't want to play an instrument that wasn't similar to flute.
I hope this satisfied your ask!💜