Well, this September is quite different. I don't have performances to look forward to, but I am participating with the Skagit Community Band, which is in the process of putting together chamber music performances (of which I've been hired to record, yay!). Plus, the Saratoga Orchestra is looking to do something virtual...more on that later. As far as lessons go, I haven't seen the wave of new students yet. And with my kids being homeschooled mostly by me this school year, my time during the day to work is not gonna happen. But, I have had some evening time to work, and I've been using it the best I can.
Being involved with the Skagit Community Band has been exciting. My mom started playing with them last year, and I heard a lot of about it. They played some good repertoire, and I heard a performance of theirs. I know, a community band isn't quite at the level of a professional, but I have played with many community groups over the years regardless just because I wanted to, so I felt this as no exception. Plus, I just want to play more. Period. So, I got involved. And they're starting by having chamber ensembles, with the horn section being an ensemble. There's 6 of us, and it's a good group. The other members, with the exception of my mom, are all about 3 years older than me, but they're gracious enough to put the directing and leadership of the ensembles and rehearsals in my hands. It's sort of like the horn club again, yet this time it's more to my liking, since other members are contributing to the planning of rehearsals and locations of them, which I just take care of the music and directing. It sounds like the group is trying to keep this ongoing, so we'll always be a horn ensemble. Oh, and one other nice thing: one of the players in this group is my high school horn teacher, Bev Soler. That's very exciting to me. She must be in her late 60s by now, but she's still playing like a pro.
Acquiring more students is a concern for me. There are so many kids in this town who are not even playing their instruments at all, and the idea of lessons to them must seem...pointless? Unthinkable? Unnecessary? I don't know...but I've tried to advertise virtual lessons on numerous fronts, but have really had no takers. The idea of virtual lessons isn't really appealing to those who haven't tried it, I guess. And since music is such a pedestrian, lowest-on-the-priority-list thing in this area, it seems only natural for students to simply put their instruments away until they can play in band again. I really wish the school district would make more of an effort to get music played together again. A group can easily social distance outside in a football field and march, or rehearse in a gym. The band room at the high school here is huge! I understand that the high school is all online anyways, but...c'mon. And I really don't have any idea what the band teachers are even going to have their students do, short of playing tests and music theory/history study. Not all kids are gonna want to do that...they want to play together, to work towards something that isn't a "test". Virtual ensembles and recitals are the best way to go, and the kids get graded on participation, and then a playing test at the end of the term, maybe...on something really substantial. At least, that's what I'd do.
But, all I can really do it what I have with my current load of students. I only have about 16, compared to the 30 I normally have, plus the brass ensembles. I'm doing a virtual ensemble piece with them every month, as well as virtual recitals. I'm working most of what we normally work on in lessons: Fundamentals, method books, solo pieces. I'm doing all that I can.
It is a bummer not having as much time as I used to to work at home. I have been getting several evenings a week to do that, but not much day time at all. It's a shame, too, because with me getting involved with two publishers and a distributer, as well as trying to familiarize myself with my own library of brass music, I have so much to do. Starting today, since summer's pretty much over now, I'm really trying to use every minute I have to do something related to work, whether it's recording something or arranging or composition or organization or practicing or research. So, hopefully that works out and you guys seem some results on here, as well as on these other publishers' sites.
Take care and value music.