So last weekend my Harbor Brass Choir (need I remind you that it consists of 6th & 7th graders) participated in the regional Junior Solo & Ensemble Festival. This event gives them a chance to prepare and practice for the high school level of this event, where they can go to state and win medals and prestige. But with the junior event, there are no "winners", but you do get to play for a judge and you do get a score...and the Harbor Brass received the best score possible, a 1+! We were the highest-scored brass ensemble there, meaning that we definitely would've gone to state, had it been the high school competition. Now, of course, we aren't a high school ensemble, nor do we play like one, but by the time we are there, I'm assuming we will have improved quite nicely...especially for how far they've come.
But yeah, the Harbor Brass, so far, is turning out to be just as I had hoped: A group where the kids have fun, play well and stomp the competition and Solo & Ensemble. I want this brass group to be the group to beat at every regional competition, the one that always goes to state every year, and eventually the group to beat in the whole state. It furthers one of my two goals to make Whidbey Island this center for brass players, and a place that just cranks out all of these highly skilled and knowledgable brass players into college music programs and the real world. So far, things seem to be aiming that way.
The other goal I have is similar, but a little more specific. Not only do I want Whidbey Island to crank out good brass players, I specifically want to establish more young horn players here. I'm actually quite disappointed with the lack of beginning horn players on the Island this year...it's an outrage. I wish I could make a presence at the schools more and show off the horn to the beginners, because it always works, but with having my own kids to be with every day during the school day, I can't really get out there to promote it. I was very fortunate to get the chance to do that yesterday, visiting one of the two middle schools in Oak Harbor. It was a great chance to promote lessons and the Harbor Brass, but I think, more importantly, it was a chance to promote the horn. I hope it worked. We need more young horn players here!
Take care and value music.