For those of you who know, I participate in Solo & Ensemble just one year and placed 3rd at State. A pretty prestigious experience for me, for sure, so I definitely promote this contest.
The good news is that the 3 students I had participate this year will all be back next year, so they'll have more chances. The big issue with them was nerves, and also air usage. So I learned a lot from this event and know what to focus on with my students.
AIR. Air, air, air, air, air, air.
I really thought a lot about that after I heard my students perform. I talk about air a lot with my students, but not many of them are to a point where air is essentially the top priority in their playing mindset...like it is for me. It's one thing to talk about air a lot to them, but it's another thing to really drill it into their minds, and to have them work on exercises that gives them no choice but to prioritize air. So I've decided to add the Breathing Gym to my teaching repertoire. It's time to stop skimping on breathing exercises and get rolling with them.
Let's face it: Air solves quite a lot of things with brass playing...particularly nerves.
Take care and value music.