(In 2007 I came across a once in a lifetime opportunity for a trombone player such as myself; auditioning for the Houston Symphony Orchestra. During my preparation I wrote six pieces about my thoughts at the time. This is the sixth and final one.)
I figured this audition for the HSO was the last chance I would get to stand on a world class stage in front of the finest professional musicians around and show the world how well I can play. But life gave me another boot in the backside right at the most inopportune time. I do feel I did the best possible according to the circumstances, but somehow, that’s just not good enough. I’m left with a sour taste in my mouth and not sure if Mr. Lube is proud of me or not.
Now, it’s back to my life on Corn Cobb Island. Just so you know; that’s a mystical place in my mind where all musicians under the rule of “The Mathematics of Professional Music” live. That rule being; there are many more qualified and deserving musician’s than there are quality professional music jobs. Or as I like to look at it; if you have four people in need of an outhouse but there are only three… someone is going off into the bushes with a corn cob in there hand.
Winning the audition wasn’t really the point anyway; making the best showing possible was. Right now, with the socio-economic situation I find myself in, the overwhelming factor in my life is a need to house, clothe and feed my body. The way I see it; taking care of my body comes first… because if I don’t God might take it back. Then I wouldn’t have any lips to play my trombone with and that just would do at all.
I do see that the obstacle encountering my personal life did cause all sorts of disruption to my practice sessions. But with hind sight I now realize that wasn’t the reason for my lack of preparedness. With the presence of the obstacle in my life I just forgot how to stop time and disappear. You see, I have found that to make the last jump from being very good trombone player to an upper Escalon trombonist, these two techniques are essential. Yep, once you figure out how to disappear and make time stop everything else just falls right into place. I think remembering that will be the most important lesson I take away from this experience.
Let me close by asking a favor of the person this was all about in the first place. So Mr. Lube; do you think you can stick with me at least until my next “last” chance to show the world how well I can play the trombone? I’ve heard that the once in a life time opportunity of being the bass trombonist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic position has just opened up. Sounds like a Texas to LA “road trip” coming up this January 2008. That is, if I can get invited to audition.
My deepest appreciation goes out to anyone taking the time to read my Thoughts on a Major Symphony Orchestra Audition :)
Take care all,
Jim
Home Page
Links to the other essays in this series;
Thoughts on a Major Symphony Orchestra Audition
Thoughts on a Major Symphony Orchestra Audition #2
This One's For You, Mr. Lube - Thoughts on a Major Symphony Orchestra
Thoughts on a Major Symphony Orchestra Audition #3 - Visualize the Entire Performance
Thoughts on a Major Symphony Orchestra Audition #4 - Writers Have Recourse
Last Thoughts on a Major Symphony Orchestra Audition - Back to Corn Cobb
I figured this audition for the HSO was the last chance I would get to stand on a world class stage in front of the finest professional musicians around and show the world how well I can play. But life gave me another boot in the backside right at the most inopportune time. I do feel I did the best possible according to the circumstances, but somehow, that’s just not good enough. I’m left with a sour taste in my mouth and not sure if Mr. Lube is proud of me or not.
Now, it’s back to my life on Corn Cobb Island. Just so you know; that’s a mystical place in my mind where all musicians under the rule of “The Mathematics of Professional Music” live. That rule being; there are many more qualified and deserving musician’s than there are quality professional music jobs. Or as I like to look at it; if you have four people in need of an outhouse but there are only three… someone is going off into the bushes with a corn cob in there hand.
Winning the audition wasn’t really the point anyway; making the best showing possible was. Right now, with the socio-economic situation I find myself in, the overwhelming factor in my life is a need to house, clothe and feed my body. The way I see it; taking care of my body comes first… because if I don’t God might take it back. Then I wouldn’t have any lips to play my trombone with and that just would do at all.
I do see that the obstacle encountering my personal life did cause all sorts of disruption to my practice sessions. But with hind sight I now realize that wasn’t the reason for my lack of preparedness. With the presence of the obstacle in my life I just forgot how to stop time and disappear. You see, I have found that to make the last jump from being very good trombone player to an upper Escalon trombonist, these two techniques are essential. Yep, once you figure out how to disappear and make time stop everything else just falls right into place. I think remembering that will be the most important lesson I take away from this experience.
Let me close by asking a favor of the person this was all about in the first place. So Mr. Lube; do you think you can stick with me at least until my next “last” chance to show the world how well I can play the trombone? I’ve heard that the once in a life time opportunity of being the bass trombonist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic position has just opened up. Sounds like a Texas to LA “road trip” coming up this January 2008. That is, if I can get invited to audition.
My deepest appreciation goes out to anyone taking the time to read my Thoughts on a Major Symphony Orchestra Audition :)
Take care all,
Jim
Home Page
Links to the other essays in this series;
Thoughts on a Major Symphony Orchestra Audition
Thoughts on a Major Symphony Orchestra Audition #2
This One's For You, Mr. Lube - Thoughts on a Major Symphony Orchestra
Thoughts on a Major Symphony Orchestra Audition #3 - Visualize the Entire Performance
Thoughts on a Major Symphony Orchestra Audition #4 - Writers Have Recourse
Last Thoughts on a Major Symphony Orchestra Audition - Back to Corn Cobb
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