Entries posted in "Music"
Well, honor band is finally over -- after three days of intense rehearsals, our performance was Saturday evening. The rehearsals were really fun though, tiring, but fun.
The first rehearsal was a little awkward though. I mean, most first rehearsals are. You're getting to know everyone, getting accustomed to the band director, etcetera. At first, the other two saxophones didn't really talk to me, since we went to different schools, but as the rehearsal progressed, we started laughing, and giggling like friends who have known each other for a long time.
The second rehearsal was pretty fun as well. I got to skip school on Friday to go to the rehearsal, and it went from 9 AM to 4:30 PM. Some of my friends got in trouble because they were apparently on top of the roof at the college we were rehearsing at. They almost got sent home, but thankfully they didn't, and the security guards at the college didn't notify the band director at our school either. :smile:
The last rehearsal before the concert was really interesting. The saxophones all got to use wine glasses to make that strange sound when you rub your finger over the rims for one of our pieces. I also got to know the other people in the band a whole lot better. After the rehearsal, since our performance was later that evening, my friends and I decided to go to the mall with our band director. It was really strange going to the mall with him, because it's not everyday you go cruising the mall with your teacher! He's diabetic, so he felt really awkward when we walked into a candy store. :wink:
After everything was over, it was really sad leaving behind all my new friends -- but, it's not like I'm not going to see them again. Before I left, I broke out in a heartbreaking rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" and everyone started cracking up. From the first line to the ending, I had the whole class cracking up. :wink:
If I should stay
I would only be in your way
So I'll go, but I know
I'll think of you every step of the way
Some things I learned from honor band?
- I should never ever try to sing a Whitney Houston song.
- Black makes me look "pleasantly plump" as one of my friends put it.
- Good band directors are sometimes eccentric.
- Honor band is a good way to make new friends from across the area!
This morning, I had to audition for my county's honor band. It was nerve-wracking. :roll:
I had to be there by 9:00 AM, but I got there at 8:30 AM because my mom wanted to leave early in case we got lost... which we did. Anyways, I had to go to the practice room and practice for 30 minutes until it was time for me to audition. I was the first saxophone to arrive, so it was kind of awkward... sitting in a row all by yourself.
Then, all the other saxophones' started to come, and you could almost feel the tension in the air. I overheard a conversation (I wasn't eavesdropping!) and one girl was insulting the other girl, "You're not going to make it into the band! You suck!" I always thought band geeks were supposed to be nice and friendly... but now I think otherwise!
When it was time for me to audition, a college student volunteer came in to get me.
"Alex Quinn? Alto saxophone?"
"That's me!"
I got up shakily and I almost tripped over a snare drum that was just lying on the floor. The audition room was pretty small, and in the corner were two old men (the judges). I tried to smile, but it might have come off as a snarl because I was pretty nervous. I don't do well in auditions! The audition music was: G and Eb major scales in sixteenth notes tongued, chromatic scale, and an audition sheet music. I thought I did well on the song... except when I had to sight read another song, I messed up the rhythms. :cry: My fingers were literally slipping off my saxophone keys because my palms were so sweaty. When I get nervous, I start to sweat and in the end, I look like I've ran a marathon.
Well, the results are to be posted at 12:00 PM, so wish me luck! If I make it into the band, the first rehearsal is at 12:30, the same day. :???:
Edit: I made it! I was one out of 3 saxophone players who made it (the total number of people trying out was eight). Today was also our first rehearsal and it was from 12:30 to 3. The next rehearsal is on Friday -- 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. On the bright side, I get to skip school! On the not-so-good side, I have to play saxophone non-stop for 5 hours, with a thirty-minute lunch break. :roll:
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