Up & Up

And here we are, four rehearsals down already. I don't believe it either. It's like someone has got hold of one of those calendars with a day to a page and is flicking through it like they do in the movies to show the passage of time (if it's you with the calendar, please feel free to stop). Having said that, it's amazing the difference four weeks can make. 

Four weeks ago we were back, fresh from our summer break. Those that are diligent and hardworking had picked up their instruments whenever they had a free moment and did more than give it a quick polish. Others used their free moments to sit by the pool (not even in it, just beside it. Now that's lazy. Two guesses which group I fit into? That's right, the first one. Clearly) and frankly, not do much else. But four weeks of work can make a difference, just as five weeks of nothing also makes a difference (but in the wrong direction). 

That's the thing about playing with other people. If you're playing by yourself you are as good as you are. Whether you do or don't put the hours of effort in only reflects on you. When you're playing as part of an ensemble or band, your efforts reflect on everyone. When you're practicing it's not just for you, it's for everyone. Because a team is only as strong as it's weakest player (sorry. Not for the cliche - which work for a reason - but for using one highly popular in sports films. Unfortunately they do have a point). 

So that's the game plan (sorry, more sports). Practice and give it our best shot. Which means the only possible way from here is up. 

In The Summertime

It’s the season of all encompassing heat, surrounding you like a particularly dense blanket. It’s the season of sunburn (no matter how you try to avoid it). The season of boiling hot cars, steering wheels that burn and seatbelts that brand. The season of flies (house and march), mosquitoes and all manner of flying things that you don’t want anywhere near you. It really is the most wonderful time of the year.

No, I haven’t lost it (not yet anyway). I love summer (in case you haven’t guessed). I love it so much that even the things people consider massive downfalls, I enjoy (in a kind of twisted way) because they are a sign that summer is here, has settled in and it’s going to be a little while before it disappears. January is one of the best months of the year. It’s hot and there’s a whole kind of lazy feel to the month. Even if you’re not lucky enough to have the whole month off and still have to go into work each day, it’s still light enough and hot enough at the end of the day to sit by the pool (preferably with some kind of drink in hand) and chat with anyone unfortunate enough to be nearby.

But this year summer the lazy days of January have ended early for us. That’s right, we’re already back for 2017 (two weeks down already!) because this year is going to be a mammoth year. We already have a list of booked and possible performances going right the way through to December (though at this point I don’t even want to know what I’m doing in the first week in February).  The two most notable performance for 2017 are clear – our 30th anniversary concert in July and the 2017 National Band Championships in April. That’s right, we’re heading to Tasmania! (most of us anyway). So we need to get cracking.

Of course a reasonable person would point out that it’s only taking two and a half hours out of my week and I have plenty of time to do not a lot. Wrong. Because while that is rehearsal time, we actually have to do home practice . For real. (I know. I was shocked when I found out too). Which means the times when you’re not practicing are tainted. With guilt. For all the not practicing. I tell you, it’s like being back at school and having homework constantly hanging over your head. But also like homework, if you put the effort in and do it properly then it all pays off.

So that’s what we’re up to, slaving away in the January heat (although in rooms so well air conditioned I’m always annoyed that I didn’t bring a cardigan. Yes, I am that person). 

2017, here we come!