Well...here we are in Dallas, McKinney actually.  Kasey and I are both trying to get our students lined up for their lessons.  The first week of class is already gone, and not one single lesson taught.  Its a bit depressing, but its just rough getting started for the first time. 

I have taken about a month off the horn since my grad recital.  Its been good to work on other aspects of my life.  I have had time to work out a little and try to get myself into a little better shape.  Most importantly, I'm back on the bike!  I was reunited with my old (I mean OLD, like older than me) Miyata 12-speed road bike.  I rode this bike quite a bit when I was in high school, then left it in Mineola when I departed for school.  Its hard to find a safe area to ride, but it feels good to be back out there!

I have to get back on the horn and find somewhere to practice regularly. 

-JC

So I got back from D.C. on Tuesday night.  The Marine band audition was Monday and Tuesday.  Since I did not advance, I caught an earlier flight home and just chilled out.  The whole process was very interesting.  I met several cool guys, and heard some good and bad playing in the warm-up area.  All in all, I think I learned a lot from the whole experience.  From re-learning how to fly with my horn, making organized and sensible travel arrangements, navigating the public transit system, etc., I am better prepared for the next trip.  From the audition process and environment, I have learned what I have to do, what I have to sound like, and what other guys out there sound like.  It makes more sense to try and make the shot, when you can finally see the target, and you know how far away it is.

Thursday night was interesting.  Pete Ellefson's studio had a studio class. He called it "Trombone Intervention" day.  Every person in his studio has the same four orchestral excerpts, and have to play them for Pete, another judge, and in front of the entire studio.  Half of the studio played last night, the other half a month from now.  His studio is almost exclusively tenor trombones, so they played four of the most commonly asked for excerpts.  The judges (mock audition panel) were Pete and Fabio Sampo, Mr. Stewart's sabbatical replacement.  This whole story leads to this observation on my part:

I do not mean to trash my Alma Mater, however...While I was at Henderson, musicians were recruited mostly from small high schools in East Texas and Southern Arkansas.  Most of the people in the department were working very hard just to grasp the basics of singing or playing their instrument, myself included.  A majority of the majors were education track, with little interest in performance as a profession.  Here at IU, people are of a different mindset.  Sure, everyone works on the fundamentals, but there is a huge focus on getting a job.  The emphasis is on doing what is necessary to put yourself ahead of everyone else at a major audition.  We are pushed to "win" a job.  A lot of what Pete said could be boiled down to this:

          "This is what these guys are doing in their practice and their auditions.  They are consistently making finals or have won jobs.  You guys aren't doing these things, and will not win a job until  you start doing them."

Time to get to work, I guess.

So, I mean to type this up as soon as I got back from Chicago, but my computer restarted in the middle of it.  I would just like to say that the Chicago Symphony Orchestra could well be the greatest orchestra on the planet.  Its top in the U.S. at the very least!  This weekend was amazing.  John and I stayed at his parent's house in Wilmette, which is north of Evanston.  His mother was very hospitable and treated me almost like family!  We took the CTA train into downtown Chicago.  The weather was pretty bad.  Another group of guys came from IU Saturday afternoon (we left at 8am EST, and barely  missed the storm).  They left at 1:30 pm and had to turn around by the time they were 20 miles from Chicago due to weather-related traffic.

The concert was incredible. Shostakovich 7 has a doubled brass section.  Thats right- 9 horns, 8 trumpets, 6 bones, but only one tuba (Pokorny is a beast!!!).  I am incredibly inspired right now.  I have the drive to get back in the practice room and start behaving like a professional again.  Its been a tough month, but I am back on my feet thanks to this truly awe-inspiring orchestral performance.  I cannot wait until the next time I get to hear/see them!