I've adopted a new meaning for "Good Friday," thanks to Boyd, that ususally means I have the opportunity to spend a few hours during the day, while my mother is gone, nude. Well, today I wasn't able to do that as I had a meeting scheduled at a middle school to do a presentation to the sixth graders about the horn from the hunting horn to hand horn and then to the modern horn, and I also talked with all the horn students about lessons.

After today, I think I have another meaning for "Good Friday." There are TWENTY-SIX horn students ranging from 6th - 8th grade. All except one (who's already studying with someone) want to take lessons. That's not firmed up, but all the kids expressed interest and also told the directors of their interest, so I should have most of them. I'm scrabbling around looking at how I can juggle the two high school's master classes and lessons to accomodate these a little better.

The two directors are great guys! I might have to be forced to say I'm in love with one of them (blush), and he winked at me several times. I saw the choir director who I just happened to go to school with when we both were undergrads. I haven't seen her in a number of years, and the first thing she remembered was a piece we performed on a recital together for horn, soprano and piano. I also saw a good friend of mine who was a band director at one of the schools I taught private lessons at several years ago. I hadn't seen him in a number of years. He actually formally introduced me to the band directors, as "a great horn player and fantastic teacher." I'll have to pay him later.

If I actually have all of these students that I talked to today, plus the other ten from the high schools, I think I'll stop for a while. Thirty-five students, plus sectionals and masterclasses, plus other things I've got going is enough.

It looks like I also have another adjudicating job in November. At this rate I can send myself on a trip for Christmas at $150.00 a pop for judging. I think I'm up to six. And then I have at least two or three Christmas gigs to play already.

Now if I can stay feeling half way decent, keep the headaches down to a minimim and follow doctor's orders. I'm praying for that.

Thanks for all your prayers, encouragement, and support. I sure appreciate it.
Nancy

YIPPEEE!! I am so glad to hear some great news coming from you! You have been and are being blessed! I just hope you keep up the positive mental attitude, which is sometimes a hard thing to do, and make all days "good" days.

But all that playing and teaching with fellow musicians. As I was reading your post, I was seeing myself in a music room with the all those instruments and music stands and sheet music lying around, and suddenly, I felt a tinge of jealousy! :]

I miss playing in an ensemble.

Maybe we need to move out there. Any jobs??

Boyd

If you're serious I'll check the jobs tomorrow. The Sunday paper always has the "big list." Trust me, if you were here, or in most places in Texas, there are all kinds of groups you could play in. I played in the Herman Sons ( a fraternal group) band for a while, there's a city-wide marching band for anyone, there's a couple of community orchestras around here, and there's the San Antonio Wind Band. Getting you set up to teach private lessons always works.

I'm excited about this middle school. In fact, I just got an email from a parent of a student who had said he was taking lessons from someone. In those cases, I make sure they know I'm available, but I certainly don't force myself on them. Well, his mother emailed me and said that she was excited to see my "horn studio" information and would like for him to study with me. Then she asked when he could start.

These three schools I'm presently working with have great kids. Most of them are Title I students, which mean they are eligible for reduced or free lunches and come from economically challenged families. But I haven't met a student yet that is rude, or not interested in working.

As I think I said last night, the band directors are also wonderful. It is a great group of guys (the bias towards men in the music profession sitll exists), all of whom are a little younger or a little older than I am, but they are all so enthusiastic to be at their respective schools. I love it! It really had escaped me as to how much I missed having a large studio of students.

And all these directors are excited that I want to have a recital for ALL of the students at the end of the year. I'm planning a mass horn choir (all 35 or 40 students on stage) for a couple of pieces. It's a great sound.

Later...

Blessings!
Nancy

Sorry, I'm way too rusty to be in any fancy group for now. I'm lucky if I can get this CNC group going! I could join back up with the Greensbor concert band, but....but....but....

As for teaching, I'm not really teacher material. I could probably give a speach or lead a group, but not really be a teacher by trade.

But I do need to find out what I will be doing soon. I'm already finding some frustrations at my work, a lot to do with my ADHD and the other a HUGE environment to be working in! Talk about a rats maze!

I will still have to paint signs on occasion, but not push it too much. Just take what they give me to do and hope we don't lose out in the long run.

God is taking care of us. I just know it!

Boyd