Updates

So much going on....

All-County
Yesterday, I took a few of my band kids to All-County Honor Band. In TN, all students auditioned for East State, West State or Mid-State. The highest scores from those auditions would later be sent to All-State. Here in KY, the All-State auditions are too complicated to even mention, but students audition separately for All-County Symphonic Band. Directors are then allowed to nominate students not making Symphonic Band into the All-County Concert Band. I nominated my top four students and spent the entire day with them at rehearsals yesterday. The ENTIRE day. I left my house at 6 and returned after 10. Some of you do this routinely and I don't know how you do it. I was worn out. After so many hours with my HS kids I have concluded that I am not (and perhaps never was) "with it". I am not cool. Shocker, I know. The generation gap is real. On the upside, I rediscovered why I love music. There is a special point in time while playing or singing that I can feel the music engulf me. Yes, I'm tired and slightly loopy, but I'm serious. It becomes almost a physical surround as you become part of what is happening around you. But every once in a while...this same experience can be had as the receiver of music rather than the maker. Music listening happens on several different levels. The first time to hear a piece is generally very superficial. It is difficult to "understand" a piece upon hearing it the first time. But every once in a while...if the mood is right and the musicians are all working together...then it can happen. And it did. I experienced O Magnum Mysterium and the Peterloo Overture. Both beautifully performed by the Symphonic Band. I almost stuck my hand up in the air for a "Praise Jesus" but then remembered that I was not at church.

There is more to update - but naptime is over.

p.s. Can someone tell me how to link mp3?