for all the kids who arenāt first chair
When I was in high school, I was often not first chair, or even in the top ensembles (we had five bands and five orchestras), despite 100% being the trombonist who practiced the most. I didnāt study with a private teacher until I was a senior, and though he encouraged me, I had some teachers who straight up did not. During my senior year- after Iād already gotten into all seven of the music schools I auditioned at- I had a band director tell me he was giving a specific part to a sophomore instead because I āwouldnāt be able to handle it.ā On another occasion, a different band director told me he considered putting me in the top jazz ensemble, but ultimately decided āit wouldnāt be fair to the group.ā Maybe those things were true at the time- I was a kid, and didnāt have any perspective. What I know now is that you never say something like that to a young musician trying their hardest, especially when you know that theyāve already chosen to pursue music as a career.
Fast forward five years. I have a music education degree from a prestigious conservatory, which I attended on a full-tuition scholarship. Iām the principal trombone in two regionally respected orchestras and a sub in another, one of which Iām touring Iceland with over the summer. I play gigs in the area for fun and for some extra money. Best of all, Iām a high school band director, and Iāll be damned if you ever catch some shit flying out of my mouth thatās about to emotionally damage one of my kids and discourage them from pursuing music.
Basically, welcome to high school band, where the rules are made up and the chairs donāt matter- but your perseverance to move past these things does.
stormborns
blakekathryn
kianamaiart
andulkaphoto
gracieabrams
