Aaron Askam was sitting up in a tree.
On the downside, I am now in my dorm room. And someone is doing acoustic covers of Justin Bieber right outside my window.
Should I start blasting my Jouko Harjanne romantic trumpet recordings??
Showing posts with label Trumpet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trumpet. Show all posts
Sunday, April 10, 2011
I Love College
Group of five trumpet players sitting under a tree on a sunny day, playing improvised flow studies. Reharmonized as needed. Consonance=optional.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
I Love Music!!!!
Why I chose to major in Music Education
One of those college entrance essay things.
Enjoy!
It is 8:30 on a Friday evening. First Semester finals just ended. Most of my friends are out together having fun, but I've been in my bedroom practicing the same two measures for the past twenty minutes. Why did Handel's trumpet piece have to be so difficult? Why do I need the fast Locrian runs to feel so flowing and effortless, when I am doing all I can just to keep filling my lungs with air and keep blood flowing to my frantic fingers? Why did I decide that I needed to spend hours a day practicing my trumpet instead of doing something...useful?
I take a moment to remember what has brought me to this point.
When I was in eighth grade, my Civics teacher, Mrs. Dunley, told me that with my test scores I was fit to be ruler of the universe (remember that? And some people were destined to become ship captains...lol. She was nuts). Knowing that I wanted to change the world someday, I decided that I would grow up to be a politician. This was not an unrealistic goal for me, since my interest in Mock Trial led me to contemplate a future in law school. However, as the years went by and I moved through high school, I grew skeptical of Politics. If the face of Humanity is going to change, it is going to change from the inside, not from the top. (Here's an article that helped me come to that conclusion. click here Totally worth the read)
I have always loved music. I was singing songs as soon as I learned to talk, and I jumped at the chance to join band in fifth grade. Right now it is my goal to become a music educator and performer. Music, especially my high school music program, has done so much for me. I know that if i can help provide music to youth for the rest of my life, I will be able to change the world.
Although I have always loved singing, playing my trumpet, composing, and performing, I was hesitant to become a music major. There were several sources of fear and uncertainty. Music is such a competitive field; I was worried that I would never be good enough. Also, it is difficult to find steady work as a performer, and jobs are scarce even for educators. I was very worried about making a living and my parents were quite concerned about my finacial security. Success in music requires an excess of discipline, knowledge, skill, heart, and inpiration. I eventually decided that the benefits of studying music outweigh the risks, and now I am willing to do whatever it takes to have a career in music, because I know that I would never be able to give it up. I knew that no matter what I chose for my career there would always be the fear of failure. Since I am so passionate about music, the fear is slowly becoming irrelevant. I am proud to be entering college as a Music Education major, and I know that no matter what happens to me in the future, I will be glad that I made that choice.
why is music so important? Humans are trapped inside of themselves. Technology forces us into seemingly efficient yet grossly inexpressive ways of communicating. In a world with an increasingly globablized economy, communication barriers are being broken down right and left, yet the individual remains isolated unless he has some way to relate to his past, his society, and his emotions. Music is that vehicle. Music forces us to be expressive; to not just speak, but to lesten, to understand, and to feel. Music frees us from our inner prisons and helps us to truly experience life, so that we are more than just robots.
Hopefully, with the skills that I've been developing over the past eight years and with the skills and experience I will gain from UNI, I will become effective with my trumpet performance so that I can help listeners connect to society. It is my aim to help other musicians to do the same. There is nothing better than helping and watching someone else grow.
Now it is 8:55 on that same Friday night. I turn off my metronome and do one last run through of the final movement to the Handel piece. The notes flow out of my horn like a cascading waterfall. Each note seems to have a life of its own. I get chills. This is what it is all about. This is what I have decided to dedicate my to.
Over the years my teachers have encouraged me to do great things in the fields of science, math, law and politics (.......maybe not math. or science. hehehehe...), but I decided that I want to change the world, so I decided to major in Music Education. Music has changed my life, and I hope that through my future performance and teaching, I can change others' lives as well.
One of those college entrance essay things.
Enjoy!
It is 8:30 on a Friday evening. First Semester finals just ended. Most of my friends are out together having fun, but I've been in my bedroom practicing the same two measures for the past twenty minutes. Why did Handel's trumpet piece have to be so difficult? Why do I need the fast Locrian runs to feel so flowing and effortless, when I am doing all I can just to keep filling my lungs with air and keep blood flowing to my frantic fingers? Why did I decide that I needed to spend hours a day practicing my trumpet instead of doing something...useful?
I take a moment to remember what has brought me to this point.
When I was in eighth grade, my Civics teacher, Mrs. Dunley, told me that with my test scores I was fit to be ruler of the universe (remember that? And some people were destined to become ship captains...lol. She was nuts). Knowing that I wanted to change the world someday, I decided that I would grow up to be a politician. This was not an unrealistic goal for me, since my interest in Mock Trial led me to contemplate a future in law school. However, as the years went by and I moved through high school, I grew skeptical of Politics. If the face of Humanity is going to change, it is going to change from the inside, not from the top. (Here's an article that helped me come to that conclusion. click here Totally worth the read)
I have always loved music. I was singing songs as soon as I learned to talk, and I jumped at the chance to join band in fifth grade. Right now it is my goal to become a music educator and performer. Music, especially my high school music program, has done so much for me. I know that if i can help provide music to youth for the rest of my life, I will be able to change the world.
Although I have always loved singing, playing my trumpet, composing, and performing, I was hesitant to become a music major. There were several sources of fear and uncertainty. Music is such a competitive field; I was worried that I would never be good enough. Also, it is difficult to find steady work as a performer, and jobs are scarce even for educators. I was very worried about making a living and my parents were quite concerned about my finacial security. Success in music requires an excess of discipline, knowledge, skill, heart, and inpiration. I eventually decided that the benefits of studying music outweigh the risks, and now I am willing to do whatever it takes to have a career in music, because I know that I would never be able to give it up. I knew that no matter what I chose for my career there would always be the fear of failure. Since I am so passionate about music, the fear is slowly becoming irrelevant. I am proud to be entering college as a Music Education major, and I know that no matter what happens to me in the future, I will be glad that I made that choice.
why is music so important? Humans are trapped inside of themselves. Technology forces us into seemingly efficient yet grossly inexpressive ways of communicating. In a world with an increasingly globablized economy, communication barriers are being broken down right and left, yet the individual remains isolated unless he has some way to relate to his past, his society, and his emotions. Music is that vehicle. Music forces us to be expressive; to not just speak, but to lesten, to understand, and to feel. Music frees us from our inner prisons and helps us to truly experience life, so that we are more than just robots.
Hopefully, with the skills that I've been developing over the past eight years and with the skills and experience I will gain from UNI, I will become effective with my trumpet performance so that I can help listeners connect to society. It is my aim to help other musicians to do the same. There is nothing better than helping and watching someone else grow.
Now it is 8:55 on that same Friday night. I turn off my metronome and do one last run through of the final movement to the Handel piece. The notes flow out of my horn like a cascading waterfall. Each note seems to have a life of its own. I get chills. This is what it is all about. This is what I have decided to dedicate my to.
Over the years my teachers have encouraged me to do great things in the fields of science, math, law and politics (.......maybe not math. or science. hehehehe...), but I decided that I want to change the world, so I decided to major in Music Education. Music has changed my life, and I hope that through my future performance and teaching, I can change others' lives as well.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
C.I.U. 4
my fourth update on the marvel that is Celebration Iowa Rehearsal Camp.
The Luther Campus is so beautiful. I love it here.
It's Sunday, so we were allowed to sleep in, if we choose. I went to Church. It was a Lutheran Church, but not at all like my church at home. I'm glad that it was different. I enjoy contrast.
I discovered the track here and have gone running a little bit. I always forget how much I love it until I have a lot of bottled up emotions that all get released when I run. Running on a track is different from running around my neighborhood, but I like it because you don't have anything to distract you and it's harder to keep track of how far you've run. It's better that way. All the same, I'm getting sick of making left turns.
We've gone through all three of the vocal sets. Right now we're working on the Broadway set, which has a lot of problems in the band arrangements. The British set had some problems too, but I think we fixed them more quickly. The British set is still my favorite, but Broadway has its moments.
Guess what we worked on in improve class yesterday.
Impressions.
yeah. I'm serious.
anyone from 7th hour jazz class would know what I'm talking about.
It's still weird for me to play the 3rd trumpet part. They're always telling us to listen up to the lead, which I'm perfectly fine doing, but I'm just not used to it. I feel like I really stick out of the sound sometimes. This is probably the tightest band I've ever been in, so whenever I screw up it's really noticeable. On the other hand, when no one screws up, we end up sounding really good.
I wonder how often the average band member makes a stnank.
The Luther Campus is so beautiful. I love it here.
It's Sunday, so we were allowed to sleep in, if we choose. I went to Church. It was a Lutheran Church, but not at all like my church at home. I'm glad that it was different. I enjoy contrast.
I discovered the track here and have gone running a little bit. I always forget how much I love it until I have a lot of bottled up emotions that all get released when I run. Running on a track is different from running around my neighborhood, but I like it because you don't have anything to distract you and it's harder to keep track of how far you've run. It's better that way. All the same, I'm getting sick of making left turns.
We've gone through all three of the vocal sets. Right now we're working on the Broadway set, which has a lot of problems in the band arrangements. The British set had some problems too, but I think we fixed them more quickly. The British set is still my favorite, but Broadway has its moments.
Guess what we worked on in improve class yesterday.
Impressions.
yeah. I'm serious.
anyone from 7th hour jazz class would know what I'm talking about.
It's still weird for me to play the 3rd trumpet part. They're always telling us to listen up to the lead, which I'm perfectly fine doing, but I'm just not used to it. I feel like I really stick out of the sound sometimes. This is probably the tightest band I've ever been in, so whenever I screw up it's really noticeable. On the other hand, when no one screws up, we end up sounding really good.
I wonder how often the average band member makes a stnank.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
C.I.U. 3
this one might be kind of short because I'm really hungry for breakfast.
The only day we have to sleep in is Sunday, where rehearsals start at 12:30pm. I didn't sleep in because I went with a couple of others to a church in Decorah. It was interesting.
Yesterday was '80's day. a lot of people went all out for it. especially the singers. My room-mate put my hair up in a side pony-tail.
Yesterday was also our first performance. We played 45 minutes of music for the middle schoolers from Dorian Music camp, which is also at Luther this week. Our director says that it was a better first performance than they have had in years past. So that's a good thing.
Yesterday night I went running on the track. It was my first time running since I've gotten here. That's a good thing.
So, ever since I've gotten here I've been really addicted to facebook, getting on at every opportunity. Yesterday, I'm proud to say, I went the whole day without getting on at all. Go me! I'm breaking the addiction.
Did I mention that we have to stretch with the singers in the morning? It can be anything from yoga to an ab workout to a dance. Some of the band people don't like doing it. I could go either way.
That's it for now.
*peace*
The only day we have to sleep in is Sunday, where rehearsals start at 12:30pm. I didn't sleep in because I went with a couple of others to a church in Decorah. It was interesting.
Yesterday was '80's day. a lot of people went all out for it. especially the singers. My room-mate put my hair up in a side pony-tail.
Yesterday was also our first performance. We played 45 minutes of music for the middle schoolers from Dorian Music camp, which is also at Luther this week. Our director says that it was a better first performance than they have had in years past. So that's a good thing.
Yesterday night I went running on the track. It was my first time running since I've gotten here. That's a good thing.
So, ever since I've gotten here I've been really addicted to facebook, getting on at every opportunity. Yesterday, I'm proud to say, I went the whole day without getting on at all. Go me! I'm breaking the addiction.
Did I mention that we have to stretch with the singers in the morning? It can be anything from yoga to an ab workout to a dance. Some of the band people don't like doing it. I could go either way.
That's it for now.
*peace*
Friday, June 13, 2008
C.I.U. 2
Blegh...i guess it's high time for another celebration iowa update.
this week has been full of ups and downs. I was really homesick for a couple of days, and i got a little overwhelmed with all of the rehearsals, but now I think I'm pretty happy. In my last update I believe I mentioned that time moves slowly and the days crawl by. It's totally the opposite now. I feel like the past two days have gone without me barely noticing. The first two days felt like a year, and now I can't believe that I've been here for a whole week!
At first it was really weird for me to be on the Trumpet 3 part, because I play lead at home. Someone who's never played lead trumpet in a big band can't understand how much of an adjustment that is. Now i think i'm learning to deal with it. Kevin actually gave me the lead part for one song ("Mercy, Mercy, Mercy"!), because he figured both of our lead players would be really tired and need a break. It felt so good! thank god it doesn't go that high.
We play a lot of Frisbee during our breaks, which I am absolutely incompetent at, but all the practice has got to make me improve a little bit.
For those of my friends who like British stuff like the Beatles, the Police, and the Rolling Stones, you guys really have to come see one of shows. Our final set is called "British Invasion" and it is so much fun to play, I can't even describe to you. I can't wait until we get to rehearse it with the singers.
"Every little thing she does is magic"....that song is forever in my head.
which isn't a bad thing.
;P
this week has been full of ups and downs. I was really homesick for a couple of days, and i got a little overwhelmed with all of the rehearsals, but now I think I'm pretty happy. In my last update I believe I mentioned that time moves slowly and the days crawl by. It's totally the opposite now. I feel like the past two days have gone without me barely noticing. The first two days felt like a year, and now I can't believe that I've been here for a whole week!
At first it was really weird for me to be on the Trumpet 3 part, because I play lead at home. Someone who's never played lead trumpet in a big band can't understand how much of an adjustment that is. Now i think i'm learning to deal with it. Kevin actually gave me the lead part for one song ("Mercy, Mercy, Mercy"!), because he figured both of our lead players would be really tired and need a break. It felt so good! thank god it doesn't go that high.
We play a lot of Frisbee during our breaks, which I am absolutely incompetent at, but all the practice has got to make me improve a little bit.
For those of my friends who like British stuff like the Beatles, the Police, and the Rolling Stones, you guys really have to come see one of shows. Our final set is called "British Invasion" and it is so much fun to play, I can't even describe to you. I can't wait until we get to rehearse it with the singers.
"Every little thing she does is magic"....that song is forever in my head.
which isn't a bad thing.
;P
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
C.I.U. 1
Celebration Iowa Update
Part One
I guess since I want to tell everybody everything that's happening here (rehearsal camp) the smartest thing to do would be to post updates on my blog. So I think I will. End intro.
I feel like I've been here forever. There's so much crammed into one day that the days last an eternity, and they all blend into each other. I spend a vast majority of the time not knowing what day it is. When I found out that it's only tuesday today i flipped.
We rehearse so much. 8:30am-11:00am, 12:30-4:00pm, 6:30-9:30pm. Of course we get breaks in there...and the jazz band experiences of variety of things such as big band rehearsals, sectionals, individual practice, theory/improve sessions, and listening. I can't imagine the shape our chops would be in if we didn't have those little theory/listening interludes.
In rehearsals back at home I'm used to people telling me that I'm doing a great job. that doesn't happen as much here. It's just because talent isn't an issue. It makes me feel a little insecure, but then my insecurity makes me feel really needy. It's always been really easy for me to get discouraged when I think about the vast world of trumpet playing. There's the stuff which I can do, and I'm pluggin away at it, but then there's a whole world of things I can't do, because I don't have the skills. and those are the things that I need to be a good performer.
at least I did have somewhat of a breakthrough today. It's so easy for me to ignore breathing. To breathe correctly doesn't come naturally so I decided a long time ago to just ignore it. It can't be that important, right? all year this year people have been trying to get me to breathe differently, and today I think I finally understand. It's that trumpet guy from UNI. He came bursting into my practice room, scared me half to death, and then told me to make the inhale and exhale in one fluid motion...and to breathe bigger. So now I have something to practice! :)
Is there a barfing face?
:()<~<
I don't think that works.
this is the most rambling blog I've ever posted. I love it.
Part One
I guess since I want to tell everybody everything that's happening here (rehearsal camp) the smartest thing to do would be to post updates on my blog. So I think I will. End intro.
I feel like I've been here forever. There's so much crammed into one day that the days last an eternity, and they all blend into each other. I spend a vast majority of the time not knowing what day it is. When I found out that it's only tuesday today i flipped.
We rehearse so much. 8:30am-11:00am, 12:30-4:00pm, 6:30-9:30pm. Of course we get breaks in there...and the jazz band experiences of variety of things such as big band rehearsals, sectionals, individual practice, theory/improve sessions, and listening. I can't imagine the shape our chops would be in if we didn't have those little theory/listening interludes.
In rehearsals back at home I'm used to people telling me that I'm doing a great job. that doesn't happen as much here. It's just because talent isn't an issue. It makes me feel a little insecure, but then my insecurity makes me feel really needy. It's always been really easy for me to get discouraged when I think about the vast world of trumpet playing. There's the stuff which I can do, and I'm pluggin away at it, but then there's a whole world of things I can't do, because I don't have the skills. and those are the things that I need to be a good performer.
at least I did have somewhat of a breakthrough today. It's so easy for me to ignore breathing. To breathe correctly doesn't come naturally so I decided a long time ago to just ignore it. It can't be that important, right? all year this year people have been trying to get me to breathe differently, and today I think I finally understand. It's that trumpet guy from UNI. He came bursting into my practice room, scared me half to death, and then told me to make the inhale and exhale in one fluid motion...and to breathe bigger. So now I have something to practice! :)
Is there a barfing face?
:()<~<
I don't think that works.
this is the most rambling blog I've ever posted. I love it.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
If you love me...
...then you will want to see me this summer.
This is a tour schedule that I got off the Celebration Iowa website. When I get more information about the Des Moines show I will post that as well. Take particular note of when the breaks are because that's when I will be home, frantically trying to hang out with friends and family...and do laundry.
2008 Celebration Iowa Schedule
Rehearsal camp at Luther College begins June 7 and ends June 26.
Thursday, June 26th - Luther College (Dress Rehearsal)
Saturday, June 28 - Vinton
Sunday, June 29 - Manchester
Monday, June 30 - Newton
Tuesday, July 1 - Fairfield
Wednesday, July 2 - Solon
Thursday, July 3 - Sheldon
Friday, July 4 - Storm Lake
Tuesday, July 8 - Jefferson
Thursday, July 10 - Pella
Friday, July 11 - Jesup
Sunday, July 13 - Davenport
July 14, 15, 16 & 17 - BREAK
Friday, July 18 - Eldora
Saturday, July 19 - Ottumwa
Sunday, July 20 - Waverly
Monday, July 21 - Oelwein
Tuesday & Wednesday, July 22 & 23 - CD Recording, Luther College
Thursday, July 24 - Nordic Fest, Decorah (Opening Ceremonies)
Friday & Saturday, July 25 & 26- Nordic Fest, Decorah
Sunday, July 27 - Dubuque
July 28, 29 & 30 - BREAK
Thursday, July 31 - Ft. Dodge
Friday, August 1 - Des Moines
Saturday, August 2 - West Branch
Sunday, August 3 - Clear Lake
Monday, August 4 - Cedar Falls
Tuesday, August 5 - Sergeant Bluff
Wednesday, August 6 - Spirit Lake *
* Final Show
Please check back for more additions to our tour.
Thank You!
Also...click here for something nifty.
This is a tour schedule that I got off the Celebration Iowa website. When I get more information about the Des Moines show I will post that as well. Take particular note of when the breaks are because that's when I will be home, frantically trying to hang out with friends and family...and do laundry.
2008 Celebration Iowa Schedule
Rehearsal camp at Luther College begins June 7 and ends June 26.
Thursday, June 26th - Luther College (Dress Rehearsal)
Saturday, June 28 - Vinton
Sunday, June 29 - Manchester
Monday, June 30 - Newton
Tuesday, July 1 - Fairfield
Wednesday, July 2 - Solon
Thursday, July 3 - Sheldon
Friday, July 4 - Storm Lake
Tuesday, July 8 - Jefferson
Thursday, July 10 - Pella
Friday, July 11 - Jesup
Sunday, July 13 - Davenport
July 14, 15, 16 & 17 - BREAK
Friday, July 18 - Eldora
Saturday, July 19 - Ottumwa
Sunday, July 20 - Waverly
Monday, July 21 - Oelwein
Tuesday & Wednesday, July 22 & 23 - CD Recording, Luther College
Thursday, July 24 - Nordic Fest, Decorah (Opening Ceremonies)
Friday & Saturday, July 25 & 26- Nordic Fest, Decorah
Sunday, July 27 - Dubuque
July 28, 29 & 30 - BREAK
Thursday, July 31 - Ft. Dodge
Friday, August 1 - Des Moines
Saturday, August 2 - West Branch
Sunday, August 3 - Clear Lake
Monday, August 4 - Cedar Falls
Tuesday, August 5 - Sergeant Bluff
Wednesday, August 6 - Spirit Lake *
* Final Show
Please check back for more additions to our tour.
Thank You!
Also...click here for something nifty.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Alright...Alright...
I know you've all been on the edge of your seats since my post this morning...*cough, no one's read it yet, cough*...
I thought I'd let you know that I've given it a lot of thought and I've decided not to give up on music. One friend of mine tried to convince me that playing in tune isn't really that important after all...I could start a new kind of musical movement! Another friend told me that I have too much potential to give up now.
Than I remembered something that the former mock trial captain told me in my time of distress:
This quote isn't the wittiest, most inspirational out there, but it's simple, straightforward, and so true.
It may seem like it'll never work out.
But I care about music so much.
I guess I can keep trying.
At least for a while...
I'll find a way.
I thought I'd let you know that I've given it a lot of thought and I've decided not to give up on music. One friend of mine tried to convince me that playing in tune isn't really that important after all...I could start a new kind of musical movement! Another friend told me that I have too much potential to give up now.
Than I remembered something that the former mock trial captain told me in my time of distress:
"When you care enough about something you work hard and find a way."
This quote isn't the wittiest, most inspirational out there, but it's simple, straightforward, and so true.
It may seem like it'll never work out.
But I care about music so much.
I guess I can keep trying.
At least for a while...
I'll find a way.
Giving Up
It is 8:36 am, April 22, 2008. It's a Tuesday morning at Hoover High School, and today I decided to give up.
On Music.
It's ridiculous.
Seriously.
There's nothing making me stay anymore.
I was sitting in band this morning and I realized how impossible it is to play in tune.
That's all it took.
I'm done with this.
It's kind of immature, I suppose, to quit something that I've invested so much time in for something as trivial as that. But it's not trivial! It's the most important, most fundamental thing! And I've gotten this far without being able to do it.
Playing in tune.
I'm sick of dealing with my limited range and poor tone quality. I'm sick of the valves that stick and don't go down all the way. I'm sick of third valve slides.
I'm just done with this.
Whatever.
On Music.
It's ridiculous.
Seriously.
There's nothing making me stay anymore.
I was sitting in band this morning and I realized how impossible it is to play in tune.
That's all it took.
I'm done with this.
It's kind of immature, I suppose, to quit something that I've invested so much time in for something as trivial as that. But it's not trivial! It's the most important, most fundamental thing! And I've gotten this far without being able to do it.
Playing in tune.
I'm sick of dealing with my limited range and poor tone quality. I'm sick of the valves that stick and don't go down all the way. I'm sick of third valve slides.
I'm just done with this.
Whatever.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Harry Potter and What I Want
After all the grumbling i did over the hype of the final Harry Potter book, i did the hypocritical thing.
I bought the book.
The day it was released.
And stayed up all night reading it.
But maybe that's a good thing, and I'll tell you why. At five thirty a.m. this morning, after resolving to stop reading for the night, i just could not fall asleep. I had a lot of time to do a lot of thinking about what i really want.
Many of you know that i play trumpet. A few of you know that i really struggle with the fact that i am a trumpet player. It's been pretty important to me in the past, and i haven't really been able to figure out how it fits in to my life with God. When i finally decided to stop worshiping trumpet and to put my main focus on the big guy, I seriously thought that i would stop playing trumpet. And that's when the confusing part came...do i drop it right now? or do i wait until after highschool to call it quits? or does it just mean that my future career won't be as a musician after all? do i even bother to keep taking private lessons?
this caused me to stop practicing...it's just too much. A week without playing trumpet AT ALL...it's not what i'm used to...my lips were actually starting to hurt...and my fingers kept up their jittering...yes. I have actually been known to go through trumpet withdrawal.
Last night as the sun rose and i struggled to get to sleep i realized something. God gave me the trumpet. It was more than just something to test my loyalty or trust or whatever...it was a gift. a talent. something that i am supposed to give back to him. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17) When God gives you something, you DON'T just let it lay dormant. I decided that before i could even touch the Harry Potter book (which i am now thoroughly addicted to) today, I would have to suck it up and play that darned (insert non-churchy word here in place of darned) horn.
When I picked up me trumpet today...and held the valves...i can't even explain the feeling. It was like coming home.
Forget Harry Potter. This is where God wants me. This is what I do. This is what i want. And that will never change.
I bought the book.
The day it was released.
And stayed up all night reading it.
But maybe that's a good thing, and I'll tell you why. At five thirty a.m. this morning, after resolving to stop reading for the night, i just could not fall asleep. I had a lot of time to do a lot of thinking about what i really want.
Many of you know that i play trumpet. A few of you know that i really struggle with the fact that i am a trumpet player. It's been pretty important to me in the past, and i haven't really been able to figure out how it fits in to my life with God. When i finally decided to stop worshiping trumpet and to put my main focus on the big guy, I seriously thought that i would stop playing trumpet. And that's when the confusing part came...do i drop it right now? or do i wait until after highschool to call it quits? or does it just mean that my future career won't be as a musician after all? do i even bother to keep taking private lessons?
this caused me to stop practicing...it's just too much. A week without playing trumpet AT ALL...it's not what i'm used to...my lips were actually starting to hurt...and my fingers kept up their jittering...yes. I have actually been known to go through trumpet withdrawal.
Last night as the sun rose and i struggled to get to sleep i realized something. God gave me the trumpet. It was more than just something to test my loyalty or trust or whatever...it was a gift. a talent. something that i am supposed to give back to him. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17) When God gives you something, you DON'T just let it lay dormant. I decided that before i could even touch the Harry Potter book (which i am now thoroughly addicted to) today, I would have to suck it up and play that darned (insert non-churchy word here in place of darned) horn.
When I picked up me trumpet today...and held the valves...i can't even explain the feeling. It was like coming home.
Forget Harry Potter. This is where God wants me. This is what I do. This is what i want. And that will never change.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Crazy (But True) Stories From Jazz Camp
Crazy (But True) Stories From Jim Widner Big Band Jazz Camp
aren't you glad I wrote the title twice?
aren't you glad I wrote the title twice?
- I saw a very good looking guy (and I said VERY good looking!) who looked like Emaich but with amazing long hair. He talked with a lisp, but that was okay. Unfortunately, I couldn't think of anything clever to say to him. So I didn't.
- Well, it's a lot better than not having anything clever to say, but saying it anyway. Trust me.
- I amused myself for 30 min, timing my watch with the flashes on my meteronome.
- I amused myself for 2o min staring at my name backwards in a mirror.
- I drew a face on a roll of toilet paper.
- I saw Gavin. I said, "Hi."
- The door to the room for my theory class was confusing. People kept trying to pull it open while people inside the room kept yelling "PUSH! PUSH!" which only brings one question to mind: "Where's the father?"
Saturday, April 14, 2007
How to Play an Amazing Solo at Contest
Step 1: Open the ketchup.
Step 2: Go to teacher and he will pick out concert etude by Alexander Goedicke.
Step 3: Smile a little.
Step 4: Practice for 4 months.
Step 5: Sign up for 3 other events at solo and ensemble contest.
Step 6: Wake up at 6:oo on the BIG DAY. eat a large breakfast. No more eating for you until you're all done.
Step 8: play your other 3 events in the morning. Make sure to drink TONS O' WATER.
Step 9: Go to grounds for celebration. Yummy!
Step 10: Freak out for a half hour.
Step 11: Warm up, then get to your performing center early because They moved you up a slot.
Step 12: Blow everyone's brains out. !!!!!!
Step 14: Close the ketchup and put it back into the fridge.
Given all this, I had a really great day today.
Step 2: Go to teacher and he will pick out concert etude by Alexander Goedicke.
Step 3: Smile a little.
Step 4: Practice for 4 months.
Step 5: Sign up for 3 other events at solo and ensemble contest.
Step 6: Wake up at 6:oo on the BIG DAY. eat a large breakfast. No more eating for you until you're all done.
Step 8: play your other 3 events in the morning. Make sure to drink TONS O' WATER.
Step 9: Go to grounds for celebration. Yummy!
Step 10: Freak out for a half hour.
Step 11: Warm up, then get to your performing center early because They moved you up a slot.
Step 12: Blow everyone's brains out. !!!!!!
Step 14: Close the ketchup and put it back into the fridge.
Given all this, I had a really great day today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
