From February 8- February 10, I tried out for my first MTSU Wind Band Conference. Here are my experiences.

Audition Day — Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018

Auditions are always a stressful time for me, and wind band auditions weren’t any different. As soon as I walked into the Wright Music building, I was instantly stressed. The building was flowing over the brim with anxious and anticipating band kids from around middle Tennessee. Registering and scrambling to find an empty practice room, I was only left with approximately ten minutes to warm up. Once 4:40 hit, it was audition time.

To say I bombed the audition was an understatement- I nuked it!There were no survivors. I had the same audition judge as I had for Mid-state, who, ironically enough, is going to be my new lessons teacher — funny how life works. To add, my music didn’t have the time signature; then he had to leave the room for around a minute to figure things out. All-in-all, when I left that small, comfy, blue room I felt a wave of sadness and self-deprecation drown me, but in my sadness, I found some beams of light in the small nook- like area in the entrance of the music building. There, I found Jess Bogle, Odin Hale, Wesley Wesley, and Baylee Walker muttering about their auditions and goofing off. Their loud and comforting laughter helped pull me out of my funk.

After all of us were done, Odin, Wesley, and I went on an expedition to Panda Express and Steak and Shake with our faithful guide Jess who got us lost in about five minutes. At 8:00 p.m.the community band performance with Mr. Rogers and Mr. Curley would begin, so during that time we explored the campus. It was honestly great hanging out with these three, and I would do it again if I could. They made a stressful day not so stressful.

At nine, chair placement results were listed. To say I was mad at myself for making last chair is an understatement-I was furious! If I am telling the whole truth, I didn’t really get over it until I woke up the next morning. At that moment, I realized that I made that spot for a reason. I have to work much harder to get where I want to be, and if that includes staying after school practicing at least an hour every day, practicing during lunch, taking lessons, and practicing til my lip splits and bleeds –which I have done and will continue to do,  I will get to where I want to be.

Practice Day — Friday, Feb.9, 2018

We all woke up at around six, and we headed back off to MTSU. Baylee, Odin, and I were placed in Mr. Baker’s band, while, Jess, Colter Smith, James Brewer, Wesley Wilson, Alex Baldwin, and Caroline Hitchcock were placed into Mr. Stevenson’s band. We practiced from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Afterwards we all went to Cookout where we saw six police officers on the way. And on our way out, according to an officer, there was apparently a guy waving around a gun saying that he is going to kill people. Our day was pretty tiring to say the least.

At 9:00 p.m., the MTSU Wind Ensemble played for us, and I was captivated. The trombones and horns and tubas and trumpets swarmed and engulfed the amphitheater and audience. Throughout the performance, it made me realize that I don’t want to give up music after high school.

Performance Day and Overview — Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018

To be honest, the performance day was the least notable aspect of the trip for me. I honestly don’t even remember the performance, or what I felt during it, but what I do remember is the bittersweet feeling of the trip being over. Out of all the school field trips and honor bands I have attended, this was the most entertaining — I mean I broke a shower, so how can I not forget that experience. To any band kids contemplating auditioning for an honor band next year, I  recommend it 110%.