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.