I had a problem, though, at CWU. I got too comfortable there, so much so that I got lazy. And, I didn't want to leave. That's why I decided to get the minor in German and ultimately was at CWU for 6 years. 6 years. When I look back at it, it's a stupid decision. And it's all because I was way too comfortable there. I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to accept the fact that things would be different outside of college...that I wouldn't get to play my horn as much with people.
Well, I was right about that. Hearing about CWU again makes me miss being there. I play a lot because there were so many opportunities. I miss having 2-3 ensemble rehearsals a day, covering a wide variety of music. I miss performing at least once a month. I miss the solitude of the practice room. I miss checking in with Dr. Snedeker each week.
Once I graduated, I actually did play a good amount living in between Yakima and the Tri-Cities. I was principal horn of the Mid-Columbia Symphony, but they only rehearsed about 20 times a year and performed 5 times. I subbed with the Yakima Symphony many times, but it was spaced out. I was in a couple community groups. I did the first season of the Seattle Wind Symphony. So, I guess I played a lot, but not nearly as much as at CWU.
When I went to UW-Milwaukee, I got to play a lot again. And that was great. I made such great strides in my playing, too, working with Greg Flint. I played a good amount outside of school, too, like with the Festival City Symphony, and the Wisconsin Wind Orchestra. I played a lot during the two years at college.
When I moved back here to Whidbey, I knew I wasn't going to get to play very much. Growing up here, I knew that Classical music performance wasn't really popular. I would have to travel far to get a taste. But, lucky for me, there is the Saratoga Orchestra. But they only meet for 5 concerts a year. I get occasional gigs here and there, like church gigs, or the Yakima Symphony, or my own solo recital (which I didn't do this year and I'm bummed). I do play with my horn ensemble sometimes, but that's not very frequent because I'm always conducting. But other than that, my playing time in ensembles is really limited.
And comparing that to my time in college, I really miss playing in groups a lot. I always had a great time rehearsing. And, of course, performing. I'm sure lots of other players who are like me feel the same way about not getting to play as much as they did in college. I do still play my horn a lot, but it's mostly just by myself at home with with a student in their lessons. So I guess I'm playing a lot. But not at a high level in a good ensemble very often. Just the Saratoga Orchestra regularly.
Perhaps if I hadn't gotten so comfortable at CWU, I would have moved on to graduate school sooner, and who knows what opportunities I would of had. Sigh...I think too much about what could have been if I had made different choices about things. Don't we all, huh?
Take care and value music.