I've had my fair share of those celebrity moments over the years. All sorts of things, such as being featured as a soloist with an orchestra, to premiering a new work, to just giving a great performance. But yesterday was one of the more meaningful celebrity moments, because it convinced me that my new approach to playing horn is going well.
I played a gig yesterday at the Unitarian Church on Whidbey Island. Of course, I go to a Salvation Army church normally, so I am not a regular attendee of this Unitarian church. But they know me from doing a couple gigs there from before. There was this visiting church choir from Bellingham that came and performed a number of pieces during the service, one of which was scored for choir, horn and piano...a piece called Set Me As a Seal by the PLU Choir Professor, Mr. Nance. I got there early to warm-up and rehearsal with the conductor and piano. We just did a run-through, and I played it pretty much perfectly, paying extra attention to making my tone quality during and between the notes as good as I possibly could. After the run-through, the choir director was completely amazed (as we some others listening), asking if I was a member of the Seattle Symphony (I wish). I was, of course, very flattered. The performance went well, and everyone loved it. I got a lot of great compliments and folks got my contact information, and I just left there feeling really well appreciated.
How often does that happen for a musician? I guess it all depends on a number of things: The instrument they play, the genre they play, and how good they are, among others. For me, I have always considered myself pretty good at the horn and capable of doing anything on it I needed to, but I never considered myself in the elite category because I know I'm not, and I know that I may never be. But I have worked pretty hard at times in my life, and as of late I have been, so it's just...really good to get recognized.
So yeah, celebrity moments are just that: moments. Today I'm back to being just a normal dude. But I'm even more committed now to work towards other celebrity moments, whether they actually happen or not, because it feels great to do well. And, more importantly, it feels even better to do well for my students.
Take care and value music.