Man, it's been a very long time since I last posted, so let me catch you guys up to date. First All County Band; on the second to to last day rehearsal I decide to set up all of my 10 mouthpieces in a straight line with all my 7 mutes and 2 trumpets along with 3 types of valve oil, a mouthpiece holder and some other junk. I left all of my equipment alone and as the trumpet section sat down they just kept staring at it and when they found out it was mine they started asking me questions and playing with my toys like little children. It was truly hilarious how easy trumpeters are to set up. The band directors and I were just laughing and having a good time at the trumpeters expense. The day before the concert we had a All Day Rehearsal were the guest conductor worked the trumpet section out because she claimed that I was showing off during warm up. The next day (concert day) I wake up and I have a swollen lip due to the fact that I hadn't played that long and that much in one day so my lips had really taken a beating. My band director gives me some ice to help the swelling go down. It didn't help at all. About 4 hours until the concert and my lips were still swollen up and on top of the that my band teacher informs me that I'm suppose to play the "Star Spangled Banner" for the concert opener in front of 900 people by my self. I was freaking out. I had a swollen lip, my confidence was way down and I didn't even know if I could play or not. So during revisit period I go into the auditorium and do some long tones and stuff and then I stare at all the chairs set up and I get all freaked out so I go back in to my classroom. I then go home and get ready and end up showing up a little late. I had like 10 minute to warm up. I was sweating and freaking out in the practice room because I was thinking about "oh what if I crack a note ext" but thankfully I had the support of my friends. So then I go out to play the anthem and I stare into the audience then back to the flag and I take a deep breath and close my eyes and just start playing out of my heart. After I'm done I get a standing ovation. I was just happy that I made it threw the piece. Then I thought about how 5 years ago I would of never in my craziest dreams would of thought that I would be playing the national anthem as a soloist for the County Band concert in front of 700+ people. It was truly one the highlights of my career so far. After the solo I had to run upstairs to go get ready to play with the jazz band. While we were tuning the boy that got 1st chair in all county band told me that he was going to play half of the solo for big mamma Cass and that I was going to play the second half. So I said whatever. So then I'm up there with the jazz band performing and my solo is ready to come up and I take my plunger out and everything and before I know it the kid makes a poor attempt at improvising the director looks at me in confusion. So then me being the trumpet player that I am, I made sure to embarrass him when my solo came up by playing better then him. It was clear by the crowds reaction and by what teachers said that I am a much better jazzer then him and that was extremely clear that night. After it was all over I could tell he was embarrassed. After that night I received a lot of gigs. I played for a lot of veterans that donated huge amounts of money to the school. My name was even in the newspaper for one of the gigs I did. Besides gigs I also got some new music students. A couple of rock bands in the school have asked me to go jam with them because they are looking to incorporate jazz in there band. One of the bands that invited me were the winners of out Battle of the Bands. Now, about jazz band. I am starting to consider about quitting. It's really getting pathetic. Very disorganized and I have better things to do with my time. I rather be playing at church then to play with this jazz group. I'm still not sure about what I want to do. I have the musical to get ready for witch is next week and I have the state solo and ensemble that I have to get ready for and marching band parades. I'm pretty sure that if I do make all state jazz band next year that I will not be involved with all county jazz band. Moving away from jazz band. I had a bunch of fun Easter gigs. On one of them I had the chance to play with this great trumpeter witch was just outstanding. The music was loud, the organ was jamming along with the chorus drum and brass section it was just great. I hope that I get the chance to do more gigs like that. Some events that are coming up for me is the school musical next week, solo and ensemble (states) and a couple of marching band trips. After that I will probably start looking for a good trumpet instructor and some band camps to keep me busy for summertime.