Sometimes I stop and wonder why the heck I picked the Trumpet.
Those days suck.
Sometimes I stop and wonder why the heck I picked the Trumpet.
Those days suck.
So I know I’m bad… and I thoroughly admit that 3 posts per week was a bit ambitious. But at least I tried. I’m going to try to keep this updated with maybe around one post a week from now on, as I don’t have as much time as I thought I would.
Anyway, on to the important stuff. I figured I’d use this post to serve as an update for the way the semester has gone so far. Classes are going very well, all in all. I’m taking 12 Classes for 14 credits. Before you freak out and wonder what the hell I’m doing, note that I have only three classes for more than 1 credit, and actually 2 classes for zero credits (discussion forums for brass/music ed).
Classes are for the most part very enjoyable. I’m taking Woodwind Techniques (like the brass course I took last semester), and am currently learning the flute. It’s harder than I thought it would be! I’m also in Percussion Techniques, so I’m learning how to be a crazy-good drummer (kind of…). Other courses include music theory, ear training, piano, and a computer science elective.
I’m also in three ensembles: the Symphonic Winds (the same group as last semester–this is “concert band”), the XJB (jazz band), and the University Band, which is a concert band made for non-music majors who want to keep playing their instruments. It’s also open to music majors who want to try other instruments, so I’m playing Euphonium (its a mini-tuba for those of you non-music nerds =D). The Symph Winds just had a great concert a few weeks ago, and now have turned our sights on a concert in April, which is looking to be fantastic.
Trumpeting has also been going very well this semester. I’ve taken on a new-found desire to really improve my playing, and I have definitely seen results even over the past two months. My tone has gotten a lot better, and I’m looking at doing an upgrade to a slightly bigger mouthpiece to allow that change to continue to happen. My lip flexibility, which was a very weak point in my playing, is still weak but very much less so than before, and I feel a lot more comfortable with my playing.
That’s about it for now, more to come later, hopefully! I’ve had a few requests from people to see some video footage of me playing trumpet or performing, so I’ll try to get some of that up soon.
Tonight the Frost Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Gary Green and Shawn Vondran, and the Frost Symphonic Winds, under the direction of Phil Clements and Jamie Nyx, will perform a concert in Gusman Hall at the Frost School of Music. The concert is scheduled to start at 8 pm EST.
Works from the Symphonic Winds (the ensemble I’m in):
If you can’t make the concert (or aren’t in the same state/country/continent), you can listen to a live stream from the UMiami website. The link is here, and the stream will begin a half hour before the concert, at 7:30 pm EST.
I have yet to find out which ensemble will perform first, so you’ll have to listen and see for yourself! Enjoy!
Before we get to the point, just a slight disclaimer-I know the video quality is sub-par, and I’m trying to find a way as we speak to get it working so that my voice and my mouth actually move at the same time! Updates hopefully coming soon on this.
Anyway, enough with the randomness, on to the important stuff. The important stuff, today, is my visit to the Midwest Clinic, an international Music Education conference, which includes performances by high-quality ensembles ranging from junior high to professional levels, as well as thousands of exhibitors and many very interesting sessions over the course of the week.
The clinic lasted from Tuesday to Saturday, and was located at the Hilton Chicago on Michigan Avenue. I attended Wednesday and Thursday. Some highlights:
I also had the pleasure of enjoying an evening downtown with some friends from UMiami, who were up for the conference as well. It was an enjoyable night, walking around the city looking for a place to eat, and then taking the “El” back to the Hilton (or in my case, home by way of Union Station).
I also bought my first ever baton! I hear most of you whispering in the back of your heads “whoopdy doo Andy…” but it was exciting for me. Many minutes have been spent conducting in front of a mirror since then.
All in all, Midwest was a great experience, and I’m looking forward to going again next year!
The quality isn’t great, I’ll be working on getting it a little better, but here’s my first shot at a video entry to the blog! Let me know what you think!