Today I got to hear something very special. The wonderful Gothard Sisters performed with the string section of the Saratoga Symphony Orchestra of Whidbey Island, and as you know, I created arrangements of four of their songs so they could perform with the orchestra. I wasn't able to attend a rehearsal for these, so I heard them for the first time at this concert. And they were awesome!!! They sounded so great. And the best part was that everybody loved them! The orchestra director loved them, the orchestra members loved them, the audience loved them, and of course, the Gothard Sisters loved them. I was even recognized by the orchestra director and asked to stand for applause, which was very nice. I got to talk with the Gothard sisters afterwards briefly, definitely not for enough time! Luckily, I got some pictures with them. Here's one:
One comment they made during the concert was that they thanked the audience for supporting the arts, and I was really happy to hear that. If you've read some of my past blogs, you would have noticed that I have talked about supporting the arts, and how important it is.
And it's musicians like these that make me love my job even more. I mean, I don't get to perform as much as they do, and I'm not nearly as popular or successful as they are, but I do get to create music, both as a composer and performer, and I get to teach young (and old) people how to make music and hopefully point them in the right direction for their own music career someday. I'm still in the process of establishing myself as a musician here on Whidbey, and establishing a decent income. I know that things are going to continue to get better with me, too. I'll have more students, more performance opportunities, and hopefully more composition projects. I just know things will just keep getting better and better.
That's why I love my job. I just know there's going to be lots of music making happening in my life for year to come, and it will be my job. My source of income. My career. And I'll get to do great things, just like this project with the Gothard girls.
Things are just gonna keep getting better. But I have to be patient. As much as it sounds appealing to have extreme success instantly, it isn't realistic. I just gotta keep doing what I'm doing: Performing well on my horn (and other brass instruments), being kind and polite to everyone, being reliable, teaching well, setting a good example, being proactive...and most of all, having fun. Because it is my goal in life to love my job always.
So far, so good.
Take care and value music.