Well, it got cold again. Wind chill was below 0 today, but it wasn't that bad. Just curious, have you named your trombone?

No. At least, not yet.

It seems as though we've written ourselves into a corner. So, what is your band playing right now? Mine's playing the Spongebob theme, Louie Louie, Slippery Slide Rag, (Awesome trombone piece.) and other songs that little kids would like.

I'm just in 8th grade so my band isn't playing anything all that great. We're playing Seventy Six Trombones, Phantom of the Opera, and Edelweiss. They're all in a book called Broadway Favorites. Playing the same music as my trombone buddies is ok. I bought the tuba book and its more fun to play only because its different than what I'm used to playing. Not that playing with the trombones is boring, but I easily get bored with my band's music. The kids in my band range from 5th to 8th grade cause its a small school. At least in summer I get to play in Legion Band.

So your director has to teach beginning people the basics and help you more advanced people "polish" your playing? That sounds tough.

Well, we do have a beginning band which is mostly 4-5 grades. When she thinks you're good enough, she asks you to play in normal band. So the music isn't too terribly easy but I'm really looking forward to highschool band.

Oh, everything makes sense now. I got the impression that all of the band students were combined into one class before you explained.

Well, I guess its good that I clarified that. Anyway, we also have a small stage band which is with a different director. I'm in it and its really fun. We really don't have many instruments that are normally found in jazz type bands, but its fun anyway. We're learning the Mission Impossible theme and Molten Swing.

That's cool.

Yeah, I guess its pretty cool. So, how's the weater in Utah? It was a pretty nice day today, about 30 degrees.

Today, (Saturday) temeratures have risen to about 47 degrees. It's still cold, but at least it's way above what we had a few weeks ago. (about 14 degrees.)

<Added>

*well, sort of cold, anyway.

We were supposed to get a huge snowstorm today, but we didn't...wow. I'm glad cause I got to go to the high school choir concert. I still have to do a little homework. I think I'll do it on the way to school cause its really easy.

Holy Cow! Today the temperature went up to 55 degrees, after being in the 30s yesterday. It feels soooo good.

Solo and Ensemble is only one week away.

Advice for what, festival or playing trombone in general? I always get really nervous when I play in front of people by myself, but not when I'm in a group. So, try to relax before you play if you get nervous. But, anyway today's my birthday!!

Ok. Here is some advice for getting used to playing in front of people.

My trombone teacher taught me this little "equation":

P+I=p

It means:
Practice + Interference = performance. What you need to do is ask people to listen to you play. That's where the interference comes in. They're not going to know if you mess up, and if you're smart you're not going to let them know. Also, start playing in unfamiliar practice areas. Practice in a different room of your house every day, Even the bathroom.

Hope your festival goes well, and I hope this helps.

--Dan