Always up to something!

Well, it's been a busy summer so far! I've stayed busy with babysitting, music, taking an online class, and traveling.  Although I feel like I never got a break after school ended, I have loved most of my summer so far!

Babysitting always brings out the best in me! There are many times when I smile because I love the kids I babysit. But, there are other times when I want to pull my hair out because the kids try to bend the rules and push the limits.  It's amazing to watch the kids grow.  Having been away at school all year, I missed a lot, and I am glad I was able to make more memories with the kids. Let me just say, that taking four kids to the library is very exhausting! Some of my favorite times are taking them for ice cream, hearing them read an entire children's book to me, and hearing them practice their instruments. My favorite part, though, is hearing them talk about God and sing along to their favorite Christian artist(s)!

Musically, I am always up to something.  I took a few days off after playing six graduation ceremonies..but then I was back at it preparing for the opera.  Being a part of the Muddy River Opera Company's production of La Boheme was a wonderful opportunity for me.  I had never played in the pit before..I had a great time! Playing with the Quincy Park Band always keeps me busy. If there's not a concert, I am probably taking apart the folders and putting the music back in the cabinets.  Speaking of which, I set a new personal record today: I sorted three concert sets and put all of the music away in just under three hours! I guess after about seven years, I have developed a pretty good system. I also spent time volunteering through the QSOA at an instrument petting zoo at the Quincy Public Libreary-watching little kids try to play the trumpet is very entertaining! And I even learned the trumpet call that is used at horse races for the ESA Illinois State Convention!

Words of Advice:
"My theory is, if you confident you can pull off anything- even if you have NO CLUE what you're doing." -Jessica Alba

It's been a year?!?

I can't believe that I am ending my freshman year of college! It still feels like yesterday that I was laying in bed the night before I came to school wondering if I had made the right decision. I'll never forget how nervous I was my first week at Western. As the days went by, I became more and more comfortable...I look back and wonder why I was so nervous, because I knew that God was directing me where I was supposed to go.

Musically, everyone says I've improved so much..but some days it doesn't feel like it. Some days it feels like I'm the worst player out there...and others it feels like I'm on top of the world.  Last night as I laid in bed reflecting on my jury (unable to fall asleep), I went back and watched some of my practice session videos from the beginning of the semester...I realized how much I really have improved.  As I listened back to my solo from a recording in February, I couldn't help but smile at how much I had improved.  If someone would have told me a year ago that I would be playing the solo I played this semester, I would have laughed in their face. I would have told them that they are crazy.

This year has reminded me that if I'm willing to put in work, great things will come.  The late nights and early mornings are worth it, if you want the best results possible.  It has taught me that on the days when your playing is at its worst, you have to push through and keep going.  You have to learn from your mistakes and start fresh the next time you pick up the horn.  (And, yes, this is easier said than done!) Some rehearsals might suck, you might get called out, or you might not want to be there...but in the end, is it all worth it? To me, the answer is yes.  To me, those bad rehearsals might be what push you to the next level...that rehearsal you don't want to go to may be when you hear an inspiring message from a director or just a fellow musician.

Here is a link to a piece that I played for Solo & Ensemble my sophomore year of high school.  This is one of my favorite pieces I have ever played.  Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9Bi7fpWWqw

Gentle reminders-part 2

Sometimes you just need a gentle reminder that you are on the right path.

Even though I love my school and what I am studying, I still have those moments where I'm not sure if I'm on the right path- it may only last for a second or two, but that feeling is still there...

But God works in such an amazing way that when I have one of those moments, He gives me a reminder of why I am where I am/why I'm doing what I'm doing. 

Being home on spring break has been a great reminder as to why I am where I am.  There's just something about coming home to family and friends who love and care about you that reminds you as to why you are who you are.

Throughout my life, I have been very fortunate to have many great role models.  For me, some of the most important role models are in the music world.  Some of these role models have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and others have only been in my life for a short amount of time.  Some I've had the honor of making music with, while others I have not.  Some are still here with us, while others have gone to be with God.  But no matter what, they have all been a big part of why I've chosen to continue studying music.

Most of these people have been with me through the ups and downs of my playing.  When I was struggling, they were there giving me support and encouragement. When I was successful, they were there giving me praise and reminding me that hard works pays off.  We've smiled together, cried together, and laughed together. We've shared stories of both triumph and tribulations.

These are the people I contact when I get done with an audition, get accepted into an ensemble, or when something finally "clicks!" These are are the people that, in a way, know me better than my best friends.  These are people that I try to spend as much time around as I can-because they inspire me to improve day in and day out.

The past few days have reminded me of how lucky I am to have such amazing role models in my life.   Some I was able to visit with for a while, and others and it was just a quick "Hello! How are things going?" But no matter which it was, it put a smile on my face.  It gave me a gentle reminder as to why I love music.

Gentle reminders-part 1

Sometimes you just need a gentle reminder that you are on the right path.

Even though I love my school and what I am studying, I still have those moments where I'm not sure if I'm on the right path- it may only last for a second or two, but that feeling is still there...

But God works in such an amazing way that when I have one of those moments, He gives me a reminder of why I am where I am/why I'm doing what I'm doing. 

Being home on spring break has been a great reminder as to why I am where I am.  There's just something about coming home to family and friends who love and care about you that reminds you as to why you are who you are.  

As I spent my evening with two of my favorite young men, I was reminded of this.  These boys never fail to make me laugh and smile. 

As I sat watching the older boy practice his violin for Solo & Ensemble Contest, I couldn't help smiling and thinking of how far he has come.  This reminded me of how far I have come on my trumpet, but yet how much there is still to learn.  It reminded me of my first time at Solo Contest when I was so nervous-but everything ended up going very well.  And then I thought about Contest my senior year of high school when I had only prepared my solo for a week and a half, and somehow managed to get  a superior rating. 

Always remember why you are doing what your are doing. For me, this means reminding myself why I play the trumpet: because I want to, not because my parents want me to, not because a friend wants me to, but because I want to play the trumpet and use the talent that God gave me to bring joy and happiness to others. 

Intonation? What's that?!

Well, I honestly don't think I have ever left a rehearsal this frustrated with myself.  It's the week of our concert, and of course I can't play in tune to save my life.

I try not to let frustration get the best of me in rehearsals, but today there was nothing I could do about it.  My frustration level was at its highest.  I couldn't play a single note in tune.

There is only one thing more embarrassing than not being able to play something (the melody!) you've worked really hard on in front of the whole band, and that's not playing in tune-at all.  Why today? Why me? Why on the day when I'll be playing for 5 out of 7 hours in the evening? Why?

Nothing was clicking...everything was running together...It sounded like I hadn't practiced the music, but in reality I've spent a lot of time on the music.  I was honestly embarrassed and wanted to leave the rehearsal.  I felt like I was not only embarrassing myself, but my entire section and studio.

So, since that rehearsal didn't go so hot, I now have to focus even more for my next two rehearsals of the evening.  I must learn from the first rehearsal and move on..or as the song says: "let it go!"

When you have a bad rehearsal, don't look back.  Move forward and work even harder.  Push yourself to be the best that you can be.  Don't let anything stop you.

Now I'm going to go spend some time with my tuner....

Why am I here so late?

Posting this a little after the fact....

Why am I here so late? This question was asked to me tonight by a fellow music student.

I gave them a shocked reaction.  Why wouldn't I be here at night? First of all, it's only 8pm....second of all, I am a music major-I have to practice.

Yes, I have had two rehearsals today.  Yes, I have already practiced once today.  And yes, I am practicing again.

As a trumpet player, I believe that it is important to have more than one practice session a day.  I believe that having multiple practice sessions a day is better for a brass player, rather than having a practice session that lasts for 2 or more hours.  I think that by having more than one practice session, it keeps your health in check- both physically and mentally.  If you play for too long, you can ruin the muscles in your face that are required to play a brass instrument.  Mentally, focusing for two hours can be very difficult..and trying to switch between all of your assignments can be very taxing and difficult.

Some people practice for like 20 minutes a day and never have major issues...and then there's me who practices for a couple of hours a day(usually) and has lots of issues...

I am here again because I wasn't satisfied with my first practice session...yes, I put a lot of work in, but the result wasn't that great.  Demand excellence...or you won't get results.  Hopefully this practice session will be successful.  If it's not, then tomorrow I will push myself harder.

Time to crack the whip!

So, some things are harder for some people than others.  For me, multiple tonguing is a great challenge.

When I was in 7th grade, I could double tongue without thinking about it, play a high C on a daily basis, and play parts of the Haydn Trumpet Concerto....but then things changed when I got braces.

Truthfully, having braces should have only pushed me to work harder, but I let it be an excuse to not practice and work on the things that needed to be done.  As a sophomore in high school, I got my braces off.  I had to learn how to play again...which was definitely a process.

Now, as a freshman in college, I find my self struggling with multiple tonguing, range, and volume.  Why are these things an issue? Simply because in the past, I chose not to practice them, even when my private teachers told me to, and I knew I needed to.

Since coming to college, almost everyday I am reminded of my strengths and weaknesses when it comes to my playing.  This semester, I have to work on these things everyday, no matter what! I can't put them off any longer.

Throughout high school, my private teacher would tell me that if I didn't work on these things, I wouldn't be able to play a lot of music.  But I never believed him.  Almost every lesson, he would remind me that these were the only things holding me back from playing any music I wanted to.  But yet I never practiced these things.

Now, as I'm off at college, I know he is right.  I should have listened to him and worked on these things.  But I chose not to. So now its time to CRACK THE WHIP! I have no choice but to practice these things.  If I choose not to, I am not going to get better, and I won't be able to play most of the music I dream of playing.

Starting today, February 3rd, 2015, I am promising to practice these things everyday.  I am not practicing these things because other people are telling me to.  I am practicing these things because I want to become a better musician.  I want to be the best trumpet player that I can possibly be!