But it was a valuable experience. I got to audition for the Seattle Symphony. That's pretty great. And, I got to sit right in the middle of the stage at Benaroya Hall and play, which is the best acoustical venue in the Pacific Northwest. I loved that! And, I learned a really valuable lesson that I didn't really realize, and I'm sure many of you don't. To win auditions like this, you have to always be prepared for them. I learned about this audition two months ago, during a period of time where I was lucky if I practiced an hour a day. In fact, I hadn't been good about practicing much for the last several years, partly due to being so busy as a student, father and working man, and partly due to...simply just not using my time to practice. Because of this, my technical abilities suffer: Accuracy, consistency in range & tone quality, and even in intonation...All of which were problems during this audition, and even in the process of preparing for them. Had I practiced 3 hours a day on a regular basis for the last several year, my guess is that my technical ability wouldn't have been as bad.
I'm not complaining, here--merely stating facts I believe to be true. The people who win these auditions not only have the time to practice 3+ hours a day for the last several years but use it. Luckily, for me, my lifestyle and schedule now allow me to practice more every day, and my source of income requires me to play horn even more. So, I feel like I'm on the right path. I do need to increase the time on the horn more, which I will. Thus, I will be ready the next time a position for that orchestra becomes available. Because it will.
But, until then, I have a lot to focus on here. The big thing this week is that I need to prepare arrangements for the Saratoga Symphony of Whidbey Island. Yeah, this is fun! The Gothard Sisters, who are three young performers of folk & Celtic music here in the northwest, are performing with the Saratoga Symphony's string section next month, and were in need of someone to arrange music for them. So, that's where I come in. Thank goodness i talked up a storm about my composition and arrangement success to the orchestra director! So, I need to get those done ASAP! These arrangements will not be made available for the public. Sorry.
Take care and value music.