Let me start by saying, yesterday was a long day but so rewarding.
I started off meeting with the 1st jazz band at Bozeman High School. Those days of waking up early and getting into jazz band at 7:30 are a little ways behind me and I always find those early mornings a bit rough these days but the kids energy and enthusiasm really helpped to pull me through. I sat in with the band a bit which was a fun way to get my day started.
Next up was the concert band. For them I took the trumpets into a practice room for my workshop “The Importance of Warming up and Practice”.Very receptive kids. Also they were very shocked having to learn my biggest secret to playing the trumpet. Lot’s and lot’s of dedicated time in the practice room doing fundamentals with a minimum of an hour and a half to two hours a day “Warm Up” before I even go after any music. As disappointed as they were to find out they would have to still practice their scales and I would not be able to furnish them with the magic advice to turn them in to Doc Severinsen over night, they seemed quite receptive to my ecplanation of how I go about it and how they can apply some of my recomendations to their own practice day to improve as well.
After this class I got a couple hours off. I took this time to talk with the band director about horns as he is a trumpet player and also to get in a nice long practice session in the band room before the next group came in. Practice what you preach I say. So I got in my fundamentals warm up/work out.
The next band was the symphonic band. I did the same with this group. I was really trying to focus my ideas with the kids and make sure that each group got the same information. Only difference with a couple of the groups was that some of them actually got to play, even if just a little while in the session with me.
After two more bands I headded up to Montana State University to meet the new trumpet Profesor, Alan Klaus. Super nice guy. We had a very pleasant visit. I am looking forward to meeting his trumpet students tonight (Wed). I am going to be setting up the Harrelson horns and banners up at MSU from 4-8 tonight so the trumpet players in town and at the college can come on by and visit and try out the equipment.
After meeting with Alan, I zipped back to home base to throw down some dinner and change close. Back into the High School to assist with marching band rehearsal from 6:30-8:30. Had a very fun time helping the kids stay focused and find their spots on the field. Very reminiscent of my days on the Bozeman football field marching around like little soldiers in the cold. Ah the memories:)
I got a little break so I treated myself to a beer and an order of tastey parmesian fries at Ale Works. Always a nice establishment to visit when I am in town. That and the fries were free cause the waitress felt bad they took so long.
At about 10:15 PM, I rolled into Peach Street Studios. What a gorgeous studio. It was very impressive to play in there. I was joinded by some of the hot talent in town and other visitors from out of town as well. It was a great night of improvised melodies and tasty grooves. These guys were such pleasure to play with.
So tonight, as I mentioned, I am up at MSU from 4-8 showing off horns and then I am at Colonel Blacks from 10 PM on with a local band. This should be a fun night. Looking forward to some practice time on the horn today as well.
