An Empty Chair

In jazz band this semester, we don't have a bass trombone..for the first month or so, it never occurred to me that there was an empty chair there every rehearsal..

Last week my late friend Zak was honored at the Bradley Jazz Festival by his friends, colleagues, and professors. The band left his chair empty on stage to honor his life.

The next day at rehearsal, it hit me..There was an empty chair..the bass trombone chair..and the person who filled that chair for the concert-Darin, a friend to both Zak and I...

While Zak didn't attend WIU with me, that empty chair still holds significance in my life..some rehearsals when I look at that empty chair, tears start to form in my eyes..but then I remember that Zak would want me to work hard and to always play my best-to never give up or let anything hold me back.

That empty chair is more than just an empty chair..it's a reminder to always work hard...a reminder to always be humble while still being the most talented player that I can be.  It's a reminder to always play with the most beautiful and romantic sound every time I pick up the horn.

What's your dream?

As little kids, we see so many different people doing so many different jobs.  Young kids often talk about how they want to be a doctor, teacher, police office, or firefighter...or maybe we want to be a professional athlete or maybe an astronaut...these are the things we dream of doing when we are older..

If you think about it..are those things really our dreams? Or are our dreams the things that we can do through those various professions?

Our dream should be to change the world, to empower young people, to cure cancer, to live a happy life, to teach others about God, to love all people, and to reassure every single person that he/she has a purpose.
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My dream in life doesn't necessarily involve my future job title.

My dream in life is to live out God's plan for me.  For me, this means sharing His love by helping others.  It means that every time I make music, I should be giving glory to God through my music.  My dream is that whatever I am doing, I am doing it for the Lord, and that I may be an example for others.

My dream is that I may live a happy and successful life.  That I may find a partner who loves and cares about me more than any object.  That above all else, my partner knows and loves the Lord.  That my partner supports my dream, while I support theirs.

My dream is that my friends and family may grow closer to God through me.  That my loved ones share in fellowship.  That these special people may empower others.  That I am surrounded by friends and family who love and care about me.  That these special people may encourage others to follow their dreams.

My dream is that my children will live a faithful life. That they may grow up to be an even better person than myself.  That they learn from my example.  That they may know the joy of helping others.  That they may be surrounded by family and friends who love them.  That they may be encouraged to follow their dreams, no matter what others think.

My dream in life is to empower others through music.  To show those who may be considered different that they can live normal lives.  That my clients/patients may change the world.  That they may feel empowerment to follow their dreams.  That they may do the things that others said they can't. That they may find comfort and healing.

Ash Wednesday

For some, today is just another day of the year.  For me, today was Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. At Mass this evening, God taught me a few things.

*To the two girls sitting in the pew behind me: Yes, I heard you when you whispered to your friend that "the girl in front of us must go to church all of the time because she knows what she is doing."

-Yes: I attend Sunday Mass each week.  I am proud of my Catholic faith. I was proud to have those ashes put on my forehead.

*To the mom who brought her gifted son to mass today and allowed him to not only receive the Body of Christ but also the Blood of Christ: thank you! You were a reminder to me that people believe that even though their son or daughter may not be considered normal to some, he/she can still know and love the same God that we believe in..He is the one who created each of us.

Lent isn't about giving up candy or Facebook...Lent is about offering ourselves to the Lord.  It is about repenting and having mercy for our sins.  Lent is about trusting in God.  It's not just about how much more time we spend talking with God..but more importantly how much time we spend listening to Him.  In order to grow closer to Him, we must must do two things: pray to him and then listen for His response.  We must be willing to listen to His plan for us in order to have a stronger relationship with Him.

National Signing Day

Today was National Signing Day. While I love the fact that these young people get to go on and play sports in college..why do we have to watch it on the news? Why don't they interview the ballet dancer who is going to Juilliard, the jazz player who is going to North Texas, or the tuba player who is going to Northwestern? We announce that some baseball player committed to a community college, but we can't announce that a bassoon player from a small town made it into the music program at Notre Dame?

Let me first start by saying that I support all of my friends who are student athletes..I love you all and am so proud of you. 

But the truth of the matter is that people who go on to study music, dance, or theatre in college are practically student athletes. We put in long days full of classes, rehearsals, and individual practice time..not to mention the homework from our classes. We have many performances to not only perform in but to also attend..we go on tour..we have other gigs outside of school..we have jobs..we we teach lessons..the list goes on.

We don't receive the recognition that student athletes receive. We make it to All-State, receive scholarships, win solo completions, get accepted and "commit" to top schools, and yet no one interviews us and puts it on the news..

Why?

"Viewers" can come and watch our performances just like they can go watch a basketball or football game. You can find entertainment by watching a play or musical, just like you can from watching a softball game. 

So here's to all of my friends who are auditioning and/or got accepted to go on to study music in college!