A New First...

New "firsts" don't often happen to 30 something trombone players, but today, I was able to do something for the first time in my life: picking off a previously unreachable high note several times in a row.

That's huge. Like...really, really huge.

It was a good day on the trombone front.

I was on Facebook tonight, as is my wont, and had a friend request. It turned out to be one of my high school students who is a very talented kid--he could have a great career as a trombonist, and I enjoy challenging him and encouraging him along the path. He makes me laugh besides, and we have a great time in lessons.

Anyway, I checked out his "Info" on his profile, and saw that under his favorite music, surprisingly, there was my name, right next to Yo-Yo Ma. (I think merely because we'd be close to each other in the phone book).

Under his "About Me" section, he wrote this:

If there was no music
I would be screwed.
Music communicates what i think and feel.
Music makes me feel alive.
Makes me feel like "hey i can be kick ass at something".
There are no words to describe what music has done for me and how it has changed my life.

I'm going to help him become as "kick ass" as I can.

I received the news today that I've been invited to the current opening in the Cleveland Orchestra.  That's one of the biggies, one of the top five orchestras in the country.  I feel like a Herculean task is before me if I choose to take it.  It's like climbing Mt. Everest, and every inch is arduous work.  I haven't been up for tackling an audition in several years, but I think it's time to do it again.  My life won't belong to me until the middle of March.  I can't describe the feeling of dread that accompanies knowing what you've got to do to prepare for an audition.  

Ugh.

Auditions

I received my Union paper today which lists every opening for orchestral jobs in the country. The one orchestra I would love to play in most in the country has a trombone opening, the Cleveland Orchestra. When I read that today, I decided that my life is going to be dedicated to the trombone from here on out until March 9. Hours and hours of practicing and recording myself, listening to recordings, studying scores, plus plenty of mock auditions in February, as well as a recital sometime in February as well too, all to prepare for one day in March.

If you think I’m obsessive about making the best cake, that’s nothing compared to how I view a trombone audition I really want. I’m going for it, with every fiber of my being. I’ve got a new trombone, and I’ve never felt better about my trombone playing or my chances for winning a big job. And there’s a big part of me that would love to move from Grand Rapids, away from memories of the most painful two years of my life.

I’m going to bring all of my powers of perseverance and musicianship to bear on this endeavor.

Bring it on!

ATC

All Things Considered: a commentator talks about his love of the trombone.

It's a four minute segment and I think you'll enjoy it. And I think he speaks for why so many musicians are drawn to music, and in his case, the trombone.