But, Solo & Ensembles. It was a very interesting year this year. I had a total of 16 soloists and 7 ensembles play at this thing, so I was running around (literally at times) helping students and listening to their performances. Of course, with this many students entering, not all of them would win, so there would be a mix of happiness and sadness with the results. And that was definitely true. But there were also some surprises, so results I didn't quite expect or even agree with, all based off of the fact that there is a single person who is the adjudicator and the one giving the scores and rankings...one musician, with their own opinions and preferences and subjective feelings. So, it makes this competition really difficult to win.
The biggest shock was that the Anacortes Wind Ensemble Brass (whom I had been coaching) won the "Large Brass Ensemble" category over the Penn Cove Brass, which is my group of Oak Harbor kids. I mean, the Anacortes group did play a winning performance, and deserved to win, but those in the audience who heard both of these groups agree with me that the Penn Cove Brass played their piece better and were more impressive. I really think the adjudicator didn't like our piece as much (we played the Gabrieli Canzona No. 2) because he kept saying "Interesting piece, interesting piece..." I take responsibility for that, because I picked the piece out, and was really confident that it was the ideal contest piece, and if we nailed it that we would be a sure shot to win. I know now that I was wrong, and I really need to re-think my programing of pieces for contests. I was worried that the students of the Penn Cove Brass were going to be mad at me for this, but so far it looks like they aren't.
I was also worried that they would be mad because of the fact that it's very unlikely that the Anacortes WE Brass would have played as a group at Solo & Ensemble if it weren't for me. It was my collaboration with the band teacher, as well as my many coachings with them, that created the idea of having this group play at this contest. They all considered the Penn Cove Brass to be the better group, so they didn't get their hopes up to win. Still, they did their thing, and played pretty darn well...well enough to win. It just goes to show how great of a band program they have over in Anacortes. Those 9 players play together 5 days a week, and are the best brass players in their school. The Wind Ensemble is a pretty exclusive group there, with players really having to prove themselves and earn their way in. Because of this, the brass section there has this really refined sound together, and play in tune and in time well. My influence has helped, getting them to be more aggressive with dynamics and listen across to each other more. It's different than in Oak Harbor, where the Penn Cove Brass is a combination of players from different bands at the high school...and we only play together once a week. We just don't have time to get to that level of refinement.
I am re-thinking my approach with the Penn Cove Brass, though...I want to get more ensemble fundamentals going, and perhaps more rehearsal time when Solo & Ensemble comes around. I have to plan smart for this.
But anyways, on to the other categories. The "Small Brass Ensemble" category is always competitive, and it turns out a trombone quartet from Mount Vernon won it. Good for them...they always seem to have a good entry. I think they get regular small ensemble rehearsal time in band class. I had a trumpet duo get 2nd place, which I'm really proud of them for...two of my seniors, Hannah Mayne and Isadora White.
The solo categories were interesting...My students filled the top three spots in both "Trumpet Solo" and "Horn Solo", but none did in the "Trombone Solo" category. I'm very happy for Isadora for winning the "Trumpet Solo" category...I thought she played well and deserved it. I'm very happy also that my freshman trumpeter Jake Bailey got 2nd place, which was is a huge deal. He played really well and earned that one, too. One of Anacortes kids I worked with and taught some lessons to got 3rd place, which I'm happy for. I'm surprised one of my other senior trumpeters didn't place, because I thought her performance was great. Again, it's based on the opinions of the single adjudicator...
The horn category was also interesting...all 3 spots were filled by Anacortes kids that I helped and taught lessons to. My sole Oak Harbor kid didn't place, which was a shock, but again...opinion of the the adjudicator. I thought his performance was pretty good, though he missed more notes that normal...maybe that was the factor? I don't know.
And my trombonists were just kind of beat. I thought they all played well, but just weren't good enough to beat the 3 that placed. Frankly, my trombonists needed more long-term preparation; though their pieces were well-prepared, they needed better overall fundamentals pertaining to that piece.
But yeah, I am really thinking about how I can help some of my players do better next year. They are really motivated to be better, even right now, so that's good. We just have to be thinking about next year right now, get their music picked out, and get them in a good practice routine on fundamentals.
...of course, if my star trombone player (the one that won last year) wasn't ill right now, she would've mopped the floor with them...
So looking past the Solo & Ensemble Competition, yesterday was the Junior Solo & Ensemble Festival, and I had 9 middle-school soloist and the Harbor Brass Choir play at it. I'm really excited for the young talent I have right now, and am anxious for them to grow up and play at the high school competition. All of my students played great at this thing, and had a lot of fun. I had fun watching them and helping them it...it was another really fun day all around.
I also found out that I'm going to be a present at the Northwest Horn Workshop this year, held March 31-April 2, at CWU in Ellensburg. I'm presenting a session called, "How to Make a Living Off of Lesson Teaching", because that's what I'm doing right now! But seriously, I want to offer my experiences and advice on how to treat lesson teaching more than just a side job to something else, like performing or a day job, and really make it a career. Plus, I want to share how the bonds you can make with students and their families can really make it a fulfilling and worthwhile experience...not just financially. I feel like there will be a lot of college students and young freelancers attending this thing who will really benefit from this...plus, I'm not going to lie: I'm proud of what I do and what to share it with people. Is that wrong?
As you can see, lot's to look forward to. That's what will drive me right now.
Take care and value music.