Yes, I have been stressed. Extremely stressed. I was always good about dealing with stress before, meaning that I didn't really get stressed out because I handled multi-tasking and big to-do lists quite well. But now, it's become more difficult. Maybe it's because I'm getting older. Maybe it's my health. Maybe it's because I have 3 children. Maybe it's because I have a house to take care of. But I am finding myself unable to keep up with the things I want to to make everyone happy, including myself.
The primary result is that things simply just don't get done. I like to lesson plan for my students and ensembles because I feel it makes me a better and more organized teacher, and it helps me remember to do certain things. I try to get students in my ensembles their music in advance before rehearsals. I try to get recordings made of pieces I'm selling or working on with my groups. But these things have suffered lately. And when this suffers, I feel like I've let folks down. On top of that, when I do arrange music for my ensembles, I find that I've made a lot of mistakes in the edition that I need to spend time going back to fix. Ugh!
I know this stress thing isn't good for my health, and if my health deteriorates at all, I simply can't do my job and do it well. And it's very important to me to do my job well, not only because I want to look good for everyone, but more importantly I want to give these kids an amazing experience. Every. Single. Week. And I want them to do the best they can do, because the expectation for excellence on the island isn't very high, so kids don't do as well as they could or should...I want to change that.
But anyways, I hate being stressed. I don't like how it feels. And I want to get done what needs to be done when it needs to be done.
Well, stepping away from that topic, I have completed a new book that has been acted to the "Online Store" page. I completed a 2nd volume of my "Christmas Carols for the Flexible Brass Quartet" and I've combined the first two volumes into one book. I really like having this book for my own uses because I use it for whatever instrumentation I have to work with. And, with horn alternates for all 4 parts, I can use it with my horn ensemble. And the arrangements turned out pretty okay, I feel. I want to get them recorded so I can show you, so stay tuned.
I've got a lot got a lot going on this week. On Thursday I host another Brass Studio Recital, where my students have a chance to shine as soloists and duettists. This is going to be my biggest studio recital yet, since I have about 28 students performing! Our theme is "putting on a show" for our audience, mainly because the recital will be so long, but also because I feel that every audience that devotes their time to listen to a recital should be entertained. I don't want families to come to this recital just so their can hear their little angels on stage...I want them to actually have a concert they'll enjoy. If you're local, the recital is at 6:30pm at Click Music. Come listen!
I also perform with the Saratoga Orchestra this weekend on a nice program for a medium-sized orchestra, including Beethoven's 2nd Symphony, which as that high part in the 2nd movement that is kind of scary. I didn't do so well at it in rehearsal last week, so I hope to bounce back at rehearsal tonight and get some good reps of it before the concert. That part is wicked and nasty...but very beautiful and fun when played correctly.
Anyways, I hope to be better about keep up-to-date on this site. I still have a number of arrangements to post on here, and tons of recording to do, and performance videos and photos to share from the last couple of years. Don't worry...I'll get on the ball. I just gotta learn once again to handle the stress.
Every day, I learn something old. Thanks, Jeff, for realizing that for me.
Take care and value music.