...but I am especially proud of two of them, because THEY ARE GOING TO STATE!!! Yes, my only two Coupeville High School students, a hornist and trombonist, were the best in their solo categories. AND, they played a duet there, and won the small brass ensemble category! It's really pretty amazing, and they totally deserve it, because they played so well, and have come such a long way since I started lessons with them.
It makes me feel really good as a teacher to have students go to State. I know that I am a big reason why they accomplished this. I mean, don't get me wrong, I don't plan to take the credit for this! But, realistically, I encouraged them to participate, I helped them with their solos, and I suggested that they play a duet (and I helped them with that, too). Their band teacher isn't one to push his students to try extracurricular music activities, so they may not have even thought to do this if I hadn't encouraged them to do so. So, yeah, I did play a role. But the playing was up to them. And they delivered.
So the Washington State Solo & Ensemble competition is at the end of April, which means we've got three months to get them even better. I have a Saratoga Orchestra concert that day, so I'm very sad that I don't get to go hear them play. But maybe it will be good for them, so that I'm not their to annoy them. Hehe, just kidding.
But, yeah. I'm feeling proud tonight. It's a good time to be a teacher.
Take care and value music.