Why the trumpet? Why music?

A lot of people ask what made me want to play the trumpet or why I have chosen to study music in college. To be honest, there isn't a simple answer. 

Growing up in a musical family, music was always a part of my life. You always went to hear dad play, whether it was with the QPB, QSOA, or him filling in with another group. Some may not know, but my mom can play the piano, so music is truly a family affair.

Many people have that concert they went to or the recording they had that made them want to play a certain instrument..but I truly don't remember having something like that that made me want to play the trumpet. I kind of remember always liking the sound of brass instruments the best, but didn't think anything about it.  

One memory I have is when I was able to go hear the QSO during their Young Peoples concerts..I can remember one year sitting in the front row with all of my classmates when my dad came down to talk to me, and then all of the brass section was waving at me-yes, I felt special. At those concerts, they always picked a few kids to come on stage for a song..I remember my dad asking who I would sit by if I was ever chosen, and I was always like "I have no clue-but probably somebody in the brass." 

So when I was in fifth grade I chose to play the trumpet and began taking lessons as well as playing in PMO band. I immediately fell in love with the trumpet, and obviously never looked back. But why the trumpet? I have no clue-my dad said you should try the trumpet-so I said okay. Later I realized that it was kind of a family tradition, too, because my great grandpa had played the trumpet along with my grandma and great aunt. 

So that answers the question of why the trumpet(sort of)..but why study music? Well, that's hard to answer-because there are so many responses I could give. And in my opinion, the two questions go hand in hand. A lot of people have that one band director and/or private teacher they give credit to-but I would have to give credit to more than just my private instructors and band directors. So many people in my life are involved in music, and each one has helped me on my journey of continuing to study music in college. Since I began playing in the QPB after my freshman year of high school, I have gotten to know and become friends with the many musicians I grew up watching each summer. And I would say the same to everyone in the QSO, especially the wind and percussion players(both past and present). Each of these musicians have reinforced the many things I was taught from my private teachers and band directors. But without my private teachers, there is no way I would be where I am today. I am very blessed that I had two wonderful trumpet teachers before going to college-one during grade school and the other during high school. Each of them taught me not only about music and the trumpet, but also about life. My parents have always been supportive of my music journey, as well. Without all of these people, I wouldn't be studying music today. Many of these people are more than just my peers, they are practically family. My trumpet teachers, band directors, and all of my fellow musicians who are band directors and private lesson teachers are what have inspired me to study music in college. 

As I was traveling in the car today, I was listening to one of my favorite CDs- Alternate Voices(Dr. Greg Jones).  When Nightsongs came on, I began thinking about these two questions, which led to me writing this post.

As I am about to begin my sophomore year at WIU, I would just like to say thank you to all of my former, current, and future music teachers and mentors for all of the support, encouragement, and inspiration!

(If you want to know about why I'm studying music therapy, check out the post entitled "What are you going to do with THAT degree?)

We all have a story

We all have a story. Some are short and sweet, while others are long and complicated.  But whatever our story is, it is created in God's hands.

While I was at the ESA IC Convention the other week, I was thinking about this. I was thinking especially about how the clients of Easter Seals and the patients of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital all have a different story. Some endure more treatment than others.  Some survive the odds and beat childhood cancer, while others don't.

As I was thinking about this, I began to think about my own story. What makes my story unique? What makes me different from everybody else? What gifts and talents did God give me? What situations has God put me in that make me who I am today?

For me, I thought about how I was born with a VSD, or Ventricular Septal Defect. A VSD, simply put, is a hole in the wall(septum) that separates the two lower chambers(left and right ventricles) of the heart. I was tiny but mighty when I was born. My parents had to feed me every two hours when I was born.(And if you know me, I still eat almost every two hours!) Growing up, I saw my pediatrician along with a pediatric cardiologist who specialized in Congenital Heart Defects from OSF Hospital in Peoria. At OSF Peoria, through the Children's Hospital of Illinois, there is a Congenital Heart Center that treats both children and adults with CHDs.  CHDs are present at birth, and many require immediate attention and surgery.  According to the ACHA, heart defects are found in 1 in 100 babies.

I am very lucky that my VSD has not caused any issues, nor has it restricted me from doing anything I wish to do.  Many small VSDs close as the child grows-mine did not.  As I have gotten older, I now understand how lucky I am. Many children are born with multiple CHDs and require multiple surgeries with long hospital stays.  But yet here I am..I've never had heart surgery or long hospital stays. I know some will say I am lucky because I haven't had to do that....but some days when I hear the stories of other CHD survivors, I wonder why I am the lucky one. Why did God choose them and not me? While I will probably never know the answer to this question, some days I find myself asking it..I especially began thinking about this during my senior year of high school when a young woman in my community had her sixth open heart surgery.  All I could do was pray for her, because even though I have a CHD,I had no idea what she was going through.

At the beginning of this post, I talked about how we each have a different story, and how we are all created in God's hands. Whenever I question why I am the so called "lucky one", I remind myself that I was created in God's hands, just like everyone else. I remind myself that God doesn't put people in situations that they can't handle. We may not know if we can handle something when it first happens, but we must remember that God put us there, so He will help us through, as long as we trust in Him.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11~

What are you going to do with THAT degree?

For those who don't know, I am studying music therapy. There are a few questions I always get asked when I tell somebody that I am studying music therapy: What are you going to do with THAT degree? Are you going to be a teacher? What kind of job are you going to do with that degree? Where would you work?

First, let me explain how I discovered music therapy. When I was younger, I wanted to become a teacher(for like half of my childhood). As I grew older and began to develop my passion for music, I knew I wanted to a have a job in music.  At first, I wanted to become a music teacher. As my sister went away to Maryville University, my parents had told me that her school didn't offer a degree in music. One night as I was looking at a brochure for Maryville, I was reading the list of degrees offered...I suddenly came across "Music Therapy". I looked up at my parents and said "what is music therapy?" My dad tried to explain it to me the best he could. As a curious teenager, I went online and looked it up. As I came upon the AMTA's website, I found the definition(http://www.musictherapy.org/about/quotes/). I knew that it was what I wanted to do with my life. Towards the end of my junior year of high school, I visited WIU and sat in a senior music therapy class..that day they happened to be discussing the definition of music therapy-I was hooked and knew that was what I wanted to do..

So here I am the summer after my freshman year of college, and it's still what I want to do with my life. Yes, there are those days where I think about studying music education, but then I am always reminded of why I am studying music therapy.  

This afternoon as I was outside, one of my elderly neighbors stopped to talk to me. He asked me what I was studying, and I answered. He then proceeded to ask if I was going to be a teacher..and I said no.  I explained how that's not what I want to do with my life, and how I want to be a music therapist. 

I love when people ask me what I am studying..and then what music therapy is because it gives me the opportunity to advocate for music therapy. But it becomes frustrating when people think that I am studying to be a full-time music educator-because I'm not! I am studying music therapy so I can become a music therapist. If I wanted to be a full-time music teacher, I would be studying music education. Yes, I teach trumpet lessons, and I love my students, but I don't want to be a band director. 

*What am I going to do with my degree? Become an MT-BC and share my love of music while helping others.

*Am I going to be a teacher? No, I am not going to be a full-time music educator or band director. I would love to teach trumpet and adaptive piano lessons, on the side, though.

*What kind of job am I going to get? I plan on getting a job where I will be a music therapist. (And obviously I will still play my trumpet!)

*Where will I work? Somewhere where I can be a music therapist. My dream job is working with children in either the school or hospital setting. And of course I will always have the dream of owning a private practice.

If you are interested in knowing more about music therapy, check out the American Music Therapy Association's website. (www.musictherapy.org) Explaining music therapy would need to be its own blog post!

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.