A Moment for Reflection

Today I decided to take a few minutes out of my busy schedule to listen to a recording of a solo I played at ISYM in 2011. I am not particularly proud of how I performed that day, so I usually don't go back and listen to the recording. 

Something was different when I listened to it this time. Instead of thinking about how bad I played that day, I thought about much I have improved. I thought about why I am not proud of the performance I had...and if I still have the same issues today. I realized that some of the weaknesses I had then are still weaknesses..but I also noticed that some have become strengths. 

I thought about why I still have some of the same weaknesses. For many of my weaknesses, it's not because I don't know what to do..it's simply because I choose not to practice certain things, even though I know I should practice those things. The only thing stopping me from working on my weaknesses is myself. So yes, maybe if I would have practiced (more) in high school, I wouldn't have some of those weaknesses..but that is in the past..so I need to remind myself that hard works pays off..and that the sooner I start working on my weaknesses the sooner that they might not be weaknesses anymore. I also have to remind myself that some things may always be a weakness that I will always have to practice..but it's about making them less of a weakness or barrier that keeps me from playing certain literature. 

As I head into the final weeks of the semester, I will try to stay positive and remind myself that hard work pays off! 

"Don't encourage mediocrity. Play at your best and don't be second class in the head." - Arnold Jacobs

A Light-post Along the Path

Mondays are the longest day of the week for me.  I start at 9am, and by the end of the day I have had two classes, four rehearsals, plus time in the practice room.

With two performances this week, I have extra rehearsals which leads to planning out my playing very carefully. After three long rehearsals, I headed over to CoFAC for my fourth and final rehearsal.  I didn't want to be there-my face hurt, my body hurt, and all I could think about was getting something to eat and putting on my pajamas/laying in bed.  But yet there I was, trying to tell myself that I could play for just one more hour.

By the end of the last rehearsal, I was exhausted.  All I wanted to do was put my trumpet away and head to my room. The director stopped me to tell me how I was doing very well.  He reminded me of how much my sound has improved.  To be honest, I wasn't expecting to receive this compliment.  It was completely out of the blue, in my opinion.  While I know that I still have a major amount of work to do when it comes to my trumpet playing, this compliment could not have come at a better time.

This compliment was a light-post along the path..a gentle reminder that hard work pays off.  There are many days when I just want to quit, but yet I get up the next day and pick up the trumpet again.  It's always nice to have someone tell you that they've noticed the work you've put in.  So, as I continue with the rest of my extremely busy week, I am ready to tackle the next obstacles that will be thrown at me.

ESA

ESA-Epsilon Sigma Alpha. It's a way of life. It's a part of who I am.

ESA isn't something that I joined after going off to college. I've been brought up in ESA..if you've been to a convention, you've probably heard many of the people say how they remember when I was in diapers...well, that's the truth..My first IC Convention was when I was 9 months old..and so far I haven't missed one-so I really have been brought up in ESA.

One of my favorite things in ESA is going to IC Convention. Going to convention allows me to see so many people who I consider family.  My whole family knows that when you arrive at the hotel, you better be ready for lots of hugs and kisses.  Amanda and I know that everyone will ask the same questions- How old are you now? Do you have a job? Do you have a boyfriend? How is school going? How is band? Where are you living? Have you started a chapter yet?-all week long...and as much as we may get frustrated with having to respond so many times to these questions, we still respond because the people asking those questions are important to us. 

ESA has taught me the importance of giving back to the community.  ESA has also taught me the importance of sharing my talents to help others.  ESA has allowed me to find my passion for supporting Easter Seals and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. ESA has allowed me to make an uncountable number of friends-many of whom I consider family. ESA has taught me so much more than I will ever know.

The men and women of ESA support, encourage, and love me more than I will ever know.  I will always be grateful to ESA for all of the memories.  

For more info: http://www.epsilonsigmaalpha.org/Homepage