Sept. ends

 I'm old.  To someone that is 100, I'm not.

Life is different when you're older.  You have different kinds of responsibilities and thuds.  I thud a lot lately.  Hopeful to keep the thuds under control.

But one thing that I'm getting to do is to play my trumpet.  I don't practice enough to be a strong player.  That's for sure.  But, I still have certain techniques of my youth.  My chops just don't produce strength as much.

Centered in Salado is the Central Texas Community Band.  It is made up of old guys - those of us who might be considered professional - generally area band directors who seem to like a bit of relief from teaching - guys who played throughout high school and college and just want to play some more - I believe there are one or two college and high school kids in the group.  I'm having a bit of trouble with the membership because it seems to change so much from one event to another.  I'm starting to recognize several of the players and might be able to recognize them away from our setting.  We will see.

3 different directors are running the show.  Probably the best known "Statewide" is Frank Coachman.  He works with the Band UIL stuff - thus, band directors all know the name.  Another is James Whitis who I knew a while back when I was teaching.  His latest gig was the director of Mary Hardin Baylor Univ. Band.  The third director is Charla Kelley.  She is a personable director who can smile easily and convincingly.  Her last gig was at Salado H.S.  I like all 3 and believe they are doing a nice job.

Anyhoooo, we played a concert Friday night at the MHBU facility.  We played a few songs and their concert band played some.  All in all it was a nice event.  MHBU played the entire Carmina Burana.  The song is difficult and takes some fine players to pull it off.  I love this song.  Additionally they played the Melody Shop.  What a fun tun - features baritones of all things.  You can find it on your phone - google, I guess.  Really fun tune.

That's pretty much it for the past week.  Maybe I'll get to practice a bit more this week and be ready for Thursday's rehearsal.

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Wasn't that Hurricane terrible?  I really fel sorry for those folks.  Not much more you can say.

later m