For seven years straight I played the trumpet. This was from grade five all the way until the end of high school. I was usually either first, second, or third chair in my band. The high school band that I played for easily rivaled any major city band in the country, and was considered the best high school band in the state of Missouri. In the fifth grade our teachers made us play entry and junior high level music.
In the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade we played high school level music. In the high school band we played college, military, and orchestra level music (also known as class five level music, and is the highest level as well). We were also the only band to ever get authorized by the United States Marine Corp Band to have a copy and play John Williams Liberty Fanfare, the same piece of music specially written for the restoration project of the Statue of Liberty. Our band had been invited to the Rose Bowl, Macys Day Parade, and a few others like the Chicago Clinic, but the costs were just too high for us to travel. We are also the biggest rural area band in the region with over 130 kids in the band each year.
We have won the MMEA Award so many times that the bands in St. Louis and Kansas City complained, and a special rule was made that once a band is invited to the MMEA convention, that they can't come back for another four years. Our band was also invited to play at Powell Hall in St. Louis in front of the St. Louis Symphony, and we are the only high school band that has ever been asked to return to the Symphony for another performance. We have been told that we easily rank in sound and quality to a symphony. Even as I'm out of high school and in college the band still excels to its high standard of performance. I had a lot of ups and downs while I was in the band, and a lot of embarrassing moments as well.
However, I have to tell you I really enjoyed the experience overall, and the ethic of the instructors really helped me into the work ethic that I have now. I really enjoyed playing the trumpet, and I had been told by my instructors that I had a tone quality that nobody else could match. I could play with that dark British tone with my trumpet that most people love to hear in symphonies. However, I didn't want a career in music; rather I just wanted to play. I really enjoyed learning all the different teachings that music had to offer as well. Although when my parents watch American Idol I cringe because I can tell when somebody is sharp or flat even when I'm in my room, with my door shut, playing a video game. So it does have its downsides. Overall I must say I really enjoyed the musical experience I had, and hope it can continue on with different instruments since I haven't picked up the trumpet in over two years.
Doc:ramen::happy:
