exvigilare

I’ve just found out what I’m playing in the next few concerts and I’m pumped. I’ve only just found out the music because I’ve been absent the last few rehearsals and never got to see my music ’till now (and that reminds me, if I can sightread my part way better than you can play the part you’ve been “practicing” for the last two weeks perhaps YOU’RE DOING SOMETHING WRONG.) I’m playing the next Arapahoe Phil concert, so I did actually know what was coming there - Copland’s Third - but didn’t plan on playing the upcoming Aurora Symphony concert. Too much at one time, what with the new job and pneumonia/deathbed/hacking baby (not that bad, actually, she’s doing fine. Dramatic effect and all that.) After the Aurora conductor asking very nicely (hardly begging at all, really) I decided that I can see my family in April and will play the next concert.

(Kira and Amy, just skip over the next couple of sentences)

So, the music. The repetiore (said without moving your jaw) is, umm, trumpet-friendly. How trumpet friendly? BIG FAT STINKIN’ BONER OF A MONSTER ERECTION friendly, that’s what. One of the problems playing orchestral trumpet parts is that yougenerally have to sit and count. and count. and count. For 600 some odd measures, in some cases, then play something that may or may not be heard, then sit back and start counting again.

But. But but but. Sometimes its really good. Think Mahler or Respighi. Big, banging it out, bombastic brass blowing full bore. Its occasionally ecstatic. Sitting in the middle of an orchestra, dragging it behind you sometimes (follow me! I know where we’re going!) can be the most amazing feeling. And when the music is actually written with brass in mind (instead of an effect), well, did I mention the erection? Arapahoe is doing the Copland, which is generally considered to be Rite-of-Spring-difficult. Good trumpet one that was, there is. Copland knew a thing or two about the horn, and liked to write for it. Good stuff, good orchestra.

The Aurora Symphony’s next concert is part childrens concert, part pops concert. Hence my willingness to miss it. But. Did I mention the “but?” Dvorak’s New World Symphony, where I get to play as loud as humanly possible (and what could be better than that?), Copland’s Hoe-Down from Rodeo (its whats for dinner, after all) and the main title theme from Star Wars. That’s what playing trumpet is all about. When I was in fourth grade dreaming about becoming a trumpet player, I would put on the record player that piece and pretend to play along. It just didn’t get better than that, to my young ear. I’ve gotten the opportunity to play these before, but that never takes away from the current performance. If its even half as much fun to listen to as it is to play it’ll be great fun.

The Arapahoe is on the 12th and the Aurora is on the 19th. Come and listen. Spot the trumpet player with the bulge (sorry, ladies, I warned you)!