Welcome Back.....

Summer is over ( even if it is hot outside) and we are back to another semester of performing and teaching.  Even with my summer festival work at Sewanee and Music for All, there is still nothing like the feeling of this time of year.  The excitement, the anxiety, the potential. The clean studios.  The freshly dry-cleaned shirts.  It is great.  I love it. 

Also - I think it's a good time to remind all students studying music who may read this of one important thing:

You.  Are. not.  A. Special. Snowflake.  

Congratulations on making it to a college or conservatory program, good for you.  

Now, that's enough.

No more congratulations until you do something with your career.

You have to get to work.  It is no one's job to motivate you - you made the decision to go into music.  

Somewhere, right now there is someone practicing who is going to beat you at an audition.  When you are complaining your teacher is mean to you, or the practice rooms are too hot, or too cold, or the marimba isn't at the right height, or the timpani aren't completely clear - some kid is playing on lousy drums, in a small hot room - and that kid is going to whip you in an audition. 

Also - while I'm at it - I'm not a special snowflake either.  I need to keep practicing, working, studying, reading and learning to get better, smarter, and more effective as a performer and teacher.  

So - enjoy the first week back, catch up with your friends, check out a party or two...and then get into the studio and do the work.  No one else can do it for you. 

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