 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: olewannabe88
Date: 2005-11-18 19:13
I'm a senior in high school. I play clarinet (my main instrument) in a community youth symphony, and am lead tenor sax in my high school's top jazz band. They are both going on tour this year, jazz band to Chicago and orchestra to the MENC convention in Salt Lake City. The problem is that they are the exact same dates and I must choose within the next few weeks which trip I want to go on.
I admit that the jazz trip would not be as exciting as the orchestra trip. We are playing at a few places in Chicago and doing some site seeing, but I'd be with a lot of my really good friends. And like I said, I'm lead tenor.
The orchestra trip involves a few more higher profile performances with the MENC convention, plus site seeing stops at some historical monuments which sound really fun. However, I'm not with any of my friends. Sure, I know some people in the orchestra, but no one that I'm close to at all. Plus, we got a new director this year and I haven't enjoyed orchestra as much as I did last year. I'm sitting last chair and haven't really felt part of the ensemble. (But I've talked to the director and things may have the possibility of changing sometime).
It's a hard choice that I wish I didn't have to make. My parents talked to the band directors when we found out the dates (since the orchestra trip dates had already been set, although we've known for a year or more that this year would be jazz tour year at my school) but they still ended up at the same time. And I know I'm lucky to have the opportunities, but making the final decision will be really hard. My band director joked that I should get myself cloned!
Anyone have any advice, or what other things I should consider as i make my decision?
[ Post retitled for clarity - GBK ]
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2005-11-18 19:40
Personally, I'd suggest going on the trip that provides the greater experiences. You'll have plenty of opportunities to hang out with your friends before you leave and when you get back home. Besides, you can always strike up some new friendships in the orchestra.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-11-18 21:46
If the orchestra will play concerts and stay in a hotel, that's great, and you'll certainly get to know the other players better.
Going to the MENC Convention will let you meet new people and visit the exhibits. And whether or not it's actually the fact, jazzers are expected to have more fun than classical players.
But there's more to do in Chicago than in Salt Lake City.
It sounds like a toss-up. I don't think you'll regret doing either one.
Ken Shaw
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-11-18 23:11
As Ken said, either one would be fine. Try not to look at it as you'll be "losing" one experience by choosing the other. Many people (myself included) would have LOVED to have an opportunity like one or the other, let alone BOTH at the same time!!!
My advice? Since you're a senior in high school, and you still have your youth and very few responsibilities (relatively speaking until you get into college/career/family era of life), go on the one which quite literally will just be more "fun". If you think you'll have a grand 'ol time with your friends, even if it's NOT on what you consider your "primary" instrument, go for it. If you really want to experience whatever sight-seeing you have on the other one and then be able to relate the stories to your friends, do THAT.
But I wouldn't even base it on instrument at this point, rather just whichever one you think you'll you'll have more fun with.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: olewannabe88
Date: 2005-11-19 14:47
Thanks guys. This decision is even harder now because i've been leaning towards the jazz trip but my mom "isn't impressed" with the itinerary for it and both she and my dad think the other one is a better choice :-p. But I know that if i choose the orchestra trip I'll have a hard time seeing my friends at school getting excited and preparing for the jazz trip. Even though the performances for orchestra will be cool, I'm planning on going to a college where I'll likely tour with my ensembles so it's not like I'll never have more opportunites. But I still have time to make my decision, I'm waiting for word from my orchestra director to see what will happen as far as chair placement auditions before we go on winter break.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-11-19 23:30
Do the Jazz Trip - you are more important as Lead Tenor to the group than you are to the Orchestra. And that the jazz trip will be more fun too.
just my thoughts.....
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2005-11-20 04:49
Are you the only clarinetist in the orchestra? The principle?
Have you already been accepted at the college of your choice -- or are you in the process of writing applications? The MENC gig might look better on your resume . . .
What, in particular, turns your Mom off about the jazz trip?
I agree that Chicago is a GREAT city to visit. I LOVE downtown Chicago. Salt Lake is -- well -- Salt Lake. My husband lived there once and really, really liked it. And it's a great place for genealogy. And there's always the Mormon Tabernacle Choir -- a great group to get to hear, if you could.
What a dilemma!
Susan
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