 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-10-21 10:44
Clarinetfest 2006: Atlanta GA.
My location: Norfolk, VA (very close by)
Couldn't go cause I was in Army AIT and could not get a pass.
Clarinetfest 2007: Vancouver
My location: Iraq
Couldn't go.
Clarinetfest 2008: Kansas City
My location: Central TX (about 45 minutes north of Austin)
I thought I had a good prospect of going, until I saw the dates. Fourth of July Weekend. APPARANTLY the Fourth of July is a big deal in the US Army...(I have NO idea why! ) so I spent clarinetfest doing parades and concerts.
Clarinetfest 2009: Portugal
My location: Iraq
Well, I had a very slim chance of making it to Portugal anyway, so I'm not upset at being deployed during this one anyway.
Clarinetfest 2010: AUSTIN, TX!
My location: Currently in Iraq, going back to Central TX forty minutes north of Austin...
However...I have orders to move to Georgia, a few months before clarinetfest. Now THAT is a slap in the face! I'm not upset about moving to Georgia, but I was so close to getting to one!
I'll bug my next band to send me there for professional training. Lord knows I can use any training I can get!
Clarinetfest 2011: California
My location: More than likely, still in Georgia (opposite side of the country)
Well, if the army can't send me, it'd be a bummer. However the timeline lines up with summer, and (ironically enough), my birthday, so maybe there's a birthday wish that will be able to come true that year! I'm more than willing to drive across country (will probably make it a motorcycle trip) and use my vacation time to do so.
Well, ONE day I'll make it to one.
Just a little rant about how life can throw you a few curveballs causing you to strike out JUST when you were expecting to finally get a hit!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2009-10-21 12:00
Most Band Commanders WANT their musicians to maintain professional development. The date of this year's fest is just AFTER block leave, so I would contact anyone remotely sponsor-like at your future band and have them put you down as .....REALLY, REALLY WANTS TO GO!!!
...............Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Nessie1
Date: 2009-10-21 12:16
Do you think there's any chance they might book your band or an associated smaller ensemble (e.g. clarinet quartet or choir) to play?
That way you would get paid to go!
Vanessa.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2009-10-21 15:52
Actually, I was going to say, the cool thing about being an Army musician is that we DO get paid to go !!!!!
Of course, the local commanders have the final say whether they will send soldiers to a specific conference. Of late, most do because the emphasis right now is on improving existing skills that the Army uses.
...................Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2009-10-21 15:54
Vanessa's idea is a good one.
One of the best groups performing at Vancouver was a trio from the Coast Guard. They were excellent players, and their performance was well rehearsed.
Bob Phillips
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: redwine
Date: 2009-10-21 18:28
Hello,
I'm not suggesting that this will be easy, but I would recommend discussing your situation with your bosses, explaining how important it is to you to attend, and asking if there was any way to extend your orders to Georgia by a couple of months. If that doesn't fly, then asking if you could take leave after Texas and before Georgia so you don't have to show up in Georgia until after the convention. It will take a lot of discussion between your current and future bosses, but it is worth a try. You can't lose anything! Best of luck.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-10-21 19:01
I haven't yet contacted Georgia's band on whether I can get sent, but hopefully the answer will be yes.
Ben, I did ask to get my report date pushed a bit till after clarinetfest, but the band in GA will be hurting for clarinets if I do that, so that wasn't able to happen.
Paul, definitely will contact my sponsor. I didn't think to bring it up this early, but it sure doesn't hurt I guess. He made early contact (which is awesome) and I'll just let them know that I'm interested so that when it gets closer to me showing up, it's more of a reminder.
The good news is, that I believe this band is able to get a contract for lessons so I'm VERY excited to get some lessons while I'm over there! I'm DEFINITELY looking forward to being a better player and I'm sure some lessons and clarinetfest will help me out!
Alexi
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ryan K
Date: 2009-10-21 20:34
If ClarFest was big enough, maybe some city would build a climate controlled stadium....That would be a hoot.
Ryan Karr
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Sarah Elbaz
Date: 2009-10-21 21:38
I have an idea, and I am not jocking- if you can get a pass from Iraq for a week , you can come to Clarinet Days in Israel!
13-22 of December.
I also have an idea how to arrange for you a lift to Israel, write to me.
And again, I am not jocking.
Sarah
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
