Klarinet Archive - Posting 000264.txt from 1998/12
From: "Carl Schexnayder" <carlsche@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] to go or not to go??? help me
Date: Sun, 6 Dec 1998 02:06:04 -0500
Hi Stephanie:
Congratulations on your selection! It seems that every national honor band
there is is conducted by H. Robert Reynolds! He conducted the Mid-America
National Wind Ensemble this past year, which performed at Carnegie Hall in
May. My son was co-principal Alto Saxophone in that group and one of my
other students was fourth chair clarinet. He also made the group this year
and I have another Alto Saxophone player who just received word that he made
it also this year, (same conductor). I have three students who were in the
NBA National Honor Band which performed in San Antonio this past July, the
same Alto Saxophone and Clarinet players as before + a Trombone player as
well, (same conductor). And now another one!?
I wasn't aware of the Honor Band of America Audition. I wish I had known
about it. Your parents ask if it's worth it? I can tell you that, as a
parent, I swelled with pride for my son when I found out he made
Co-Principal in the National Wind Ensemble and to get to hear him perform
the solo in the Holst First Suite in Carnegie Hall was almost more than I
could bear! The fact that all of his hard work, (his choice, by the way..I
never had to make him practice), had payed off so hansomely seemed such a
just reward! But I must tell you that I had a really hard time coming up
with the money for the trip from Louisiana, the Honor Wind Ensemble fees,
hotel fees, etc.
Now, that son off to college, I've got another son who is a Sophomore in
high school. He's already made the All-District Honor Band several times,
the All-State Orchestra this year, the All-South Honor Band, the Ark-La-Tex
Tri-State Honor Band, and the University of Southeastern Invitational Honor
Band. Will I get the opportunity to see and hear him play in Carnegie Hall
or in another national honor band? All that money for something like that?
YOU BET!!!!!! Isn't it a bit much? NO WAY!!!!!! I'll gladly find a way to
come up with the money!!!!
Will it pay off financially? I don't know! I can tell you that my son got
full scholorship money to attend the university of his choice. I know I'll
never forget the fact that he was selected to play in such a prestigeous
group and I seriously doubt that he ever will either!
How did the parents of my other students, (those I mentioned earlier), feel?
Well, they all came up with the money for their sons to attend, and most
made the trip/s to attend the performances. I'm not going to try to quote
everything they said, but I know they were QUITE pleased! It's an
experience you'll never forget! You'll meet people from all over the
country and maybe form life-long friendships with some
I could go on and on, but I don't want to wear everyone out! Let me just
say that, from my point of view, its worth every minute you spent
practicing, every penny you, (or your parents), spent for your instrument/s
& equipment, private lessons, etc., and certainly the price of the trip!
It's worth all of that and MUCH, MUCH MORE!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations to You and Your Parents and Good Luck on your
trip!!!!!!!!!!!
Carl Schexnayder
>Dear Fellow Clarinetists,
>Just yesterday i found out that my tape that i submitted to the Honor
>Band of America auditions was evidently good enough and i was accepted
>to this band. The conductor is Dr. H. Robert Reynolds, University of
>Michigan. My parents however have been wondering if it is really worth
>the trouble to drive to Indianapolis, ID from San Angelo, TX and pay
>something like close to $1000 to stay there for the time that we have
>to. Will having made and performed with this band be something that
>colleges will look at seriously, since we have to audition for it and it
>is nation wide? Please help me in convincing my parents to take the
>chance......
>
>~Musically~
>Stephanie
>
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