Keep music LIVE!

Well that was an interesting week. On monday i received a telephone call from a friend who plays in the band that i was asked to join to say that Friday night there was a booking to play a couple of tunes for the Telethon and would i be interested in going to see them and having a quick practise with them to see if they thought i good enough to play with them next year.
The Telethon is a big thing in France, the whole weekend is dedicated to raising money for various charities. I said yes ok, what would we be playing? "oh, simple stuff, "oh when the saints go marching in", is that ok"? "Fine says i, Friday it is then. Friday night we meet at the local bar, of course! then off to Lacaune about 30mins away. Meet the rest of the band and the conductor but before we play anything its down to the serious stuff. First a large Pastis and a chat then another Pastis followed by a meal with wine and coffee to finish. One and a half hours later its time for a practise. Duly played the tune and seemed to be ok, next thing i know i am being given a band sweatshirt and told "ok, your in' now its of to the church to play in front of about 100 or so people. "errr, hang on, i don't know any of the music!" " oh that doesn't matter, play it by ear, you will get the hang of it!"
So that's how i came to be playing in a brassband of sorts in front of all those people. Nerveracking to say the least and to cap it all we didn't play "oh when the saints" which is the only tune i knew!!! still at least i didn't play when i shouldn't have so that is something i suppose.
Worrying postscript though, as the only person playing the cornet, the rest play trumpets, saxaphones, drums etc the chef de banda asked if i had ever played solo?
what has he got lined up for me?????