h.s honor bands

[dominicano224]

I will be a junior in high school this fall and i will start to take lessons this summer. in my sophomore year i made the nyc all city concert band (lead) and all city jazz (3rd). my goal is to make all state in the next year in at least concert. How good do you have to be to do this? I have not taken lessons before this summer, and i will not learn much from school since band is orianted around begginers. What requierements do you need for this band? Has anybody been in an all state band? my range is good (G over c) and tonguing is decent and people say i have good tone. i always wanted to be a profesional trumpet player and i belive this will get me closer. any feed back is appreciated. thanks.
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***If you don't try there's a 100% chance you'll fail***

[tcutrpt]

Setting goals for yourself and working hard to reach them will help you along the tough and tiresome road to becoming a professional trumpet player. Making All-State will not make or break your future as a musician, but it is a good goal to strive for. The things you listed are all important things that the judges will listen for.

A great tonal quality is the first and foremost thing I would suggest you strive for. Listen to recordings of good players like Phil Smith, Bud Herseth of the Chicago Symphony, and look around on the site for others who can really play. Try and emulate a sound that you really like. Internalize it and have it in your mind before you play a note.

Technique is also important primarily as a means to an end. You need technique in order to play musically. The Arbans book is a great place to start for working on tonguing, slurs, scales and other things. Clarke, Schlossberg, Caruso, Sachs, Irons, and Collins are some other really great books for technical aspects.

Beyond those things, always play confidently with a good concept of style with good rhythm and in time.

If you do those things well, it doesn't matter if you make all-state (but you'll be well on your way to making the band) because you will be on your way to becoming a good trumpet player and musician.

Hope this helps some.
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Matt Cyr
trumpetmc@gmail.com