Making it work

    Tonight I am finally home after several incredibly busy weeks.  Highlights include concerts in Iowa and North Carolina, having my first lesson in over a year in the same week as watching masterclasses with David Griffin and Luca Benucci, and seeing unbelievable progress in my studio!  Now with a night (finally!) off and a hot chocolate in hand, I have a moment to reflect on a couple notable moments. 
    Last week before heading to Iowa, I had the opportunity to work in the studio recording Hal Leonard band charts alongside members of the ISO and IU faculty.  It was a great couple of days and lots of fun.  I realized how important it is to trust yourself and to practice sight-reading whenever possible: in the sessions we usually had 2 tries to make it happen, so there was little room for error.  I had to go for it on every take and not allow any less than my best - what a great feeling to make that happen! 
    In North Carolina I also had a 'make it work' experience:  after my horn suffered a spill (in its case), I was unable to assemble it. With only a few minutes before the first of four concerts that day started, I had to run to a high school and borrow a horn!  The two schools that helped me out were very kind, considering they had no idea who I was, and lent me student horns for a couple hours.  With the second piece of the concerts a horn solo, I had to make it work and go for it!  Happily, the concerts went well and I got my horn fixed when I returned to Indy.  It was quite an experience, but I'm glad I now know I can handle any curve balls that head my way!