But I am also still a student as a player, in a sense. Sure, I'm normally a leader and a teacher as a player, playing for my students, playing principal horn in the orchestra here on Whidbey Island, and so forth. But outside of this, I'm still learning how to work myself up to the level of the elite horn players in this world. I am mainly referring to orchestral playing, which I already know a lot about and have a lot of experience in, but I still have so much to learn, which is very exciting.
These thoughts were sparked by another fun experience last weekend. Once again, just like last February, I got called to come play with the Yakima Symphony. They are just an amazing orchestra that plays great music and is full of people I know from college, so old friends and teachers. We played this cowboy-themed concert, chock full of music backing up this country music singer Wylie Gustafson. Although country music isn't exactly my cup of tea, hearing him with the orchestra was quite enjoyable. In addition, the orchestra did some music without him, Buckaroo Holiday, Saturday Night Waltz and Hoedown from "Rodeo" by Copland. And we did a couple soundtrack suites from old Westerns, which were really great. So I got to play some really good stuff in there. Buckaroo Holiday has always been one of my favorites...you should really check it out.
But what made the experience even better was that I got to play 2nd horn and sit next to my undergrad teacher, Jeff Snedeker. Of course, just chatting with him and hearing him play were the biggest plusses, but he also coached me a little bit on some intricacies of intonation and tone. And I was so thankful for it. I realized then that I still have so much to really learn to be a great section player, but I also know that I can learn it and grow.
And it made me realize that I sort of feel disconnected from orchestral playing...because I sort of am. I really only play 4 orchestra programs a year with the Saratoga Orchestra. Sure, I'll join Yakima for a concert maybe once a year, but that is it. And you know what? I'm very bummed about it. Not so much to the point of depression or anger or anything, don't worry. But it just makes me really wish I could do it more. It's the real disadvantage of living on the north end of Whidbey Island, where you have to travel far to play in a high-caliber professional orchestra. And traveling far really isn't very possible when I teach 30 students a week, direct 3 ensembles of my own and have 3 little boys and a wife that need me at home. I knew it would be this way, though, when my wife and I agreed to settle here on Whidbey Island and accept the job she was offered.
So, okay...I've whined about it, so now what do I do? Well, it's simple really: I have remember that I have a whole filing cabinet drawer full of orchestral horn parts, and a perfectly working horn to play them on. I've just got to immerse myself in the music. And I gotta keep at it. Because someday, I will get to play in an orchestra more. I just know it.
Actually, I've been thinking about taking auditions in the next couple years. I want to get back into that world again. Who knows, something great may happen.
But anyways, I sure wish I could play with the Yakima Symphony again. It's always a fun adventure to travel there, and it's such a great orchestra, full of great friends. Sigh...oh well.
Take care and value music.