Rehearsal

Today was our first rehearsal in the new year for the First Coast Wind Ensemble.  I enjoy this time away from the rigors of "normal" life, by doing something that I really love.  We're preparing for our next series of concerts which will be in February.  The first rehearsal is mostly reading down the new music.  I actually performed one of the pieces in high school and college, Linconshire Posy (that's Posy with a long "o" sound, not Possy, as in my homies), so that brought back a lot of memories.  It is one of my favorite pieces.

After more than 26 years of participating in various music groups, I am still amazed that a group of people can work together as one, to produce beautiful music.  The musicians in this volunteer group come from different walks of life, different professions, and different musical training, but the universal language of music, written music, is all the same, and with the swing of the director's baton, we translate these notes on the page into something that is artistically and emotionally alive, putting our own little part into this instrumental harmony that  truly transcends our own individual selves.

It all doesn't happen at once though...we still need to practice (read like Allen Iverson) together.

I was in the "Pride of the Sunshine" marching band when I attended the University of Florida.  The band is BIG (300+ on the field), compared to the high school band that I came from (roughly 80).  In the high school band, I  knew everyone.  In college, I didn't.  During marching band practice at Florida, I would sometimes look across from where I was standing, to the other side of the field, and notice the people that I don't know.  And yet, here we are, coming together as one, putting a show together, step by step, note by note.

Still amazes me to this day.

I'm thankful that I can participate in these music ensembles.  I am also grateful for people who appreciate the music we perform.