Shades of Snark: A Cautionary Tale: 2014

Let's just not discuss the infrequency of posts here, can we do that? I knew I could count on you guys.

This weekend I had the great honor to appear as a Regional Artist for the Mid-South Horn Workshop, hosted by the amazing Patrick Hughes and the UT Butler School of Music. It's always a little surreal returning to the building I called home for so many years- the halls are haunted with memories of my proudest moments and bitterest failures, and around every corner i encounter an old friend of colleague. It was overwhelming and magical.

Traveling:
I wish I was a savvy traveler, I'm just not. Chronic over-packing plagues my preparations- and not for a lack of considered planning. Typically something along the lines of:

What if I forget the ONE cardigan that will tie everything together and illustrate my professionalism to the world while still exuding effortless style? It's so hard to choose!

How schizophrenic will Texas weather be this time? Not will it be- it will.

Did I leave any clothes at the ranch? Very important. One does not face cows and barbed wire lightly and emerge with a nice pair of jeans.

Am I too lazy to wear heels? Yes. Always. Or I live in mortal fear of rolling my ankle as I enter the stage (I've done this, sadly. AMC = classy)

This time I also learned the full meaning of Red-Eye flight. Yikes.

The Conference:

This conference provided many anniversaries for reflection on how strange and awesome life is.

I judged the undergrad solo competition... A competition I won at the same conference exactly nine years prior. Whoa. One of my fellow judges included a personal horn hero: David Thompson, who once judged me at a different solo competition (IHCA2007). I think I avoided crazy fan-girl status.

Throughout the day i encountered friends, former students, and faces from horn conferences and masterclasses of yore. Only one person was surprised that I still play the horn, ha. A few people suddenly understood why we hadn't gigged together in a few years, and several others began referring to me as "Hollywood." Mostly, however, it was delightful to catch up with so many people and reflect on the unexpected path that brought us back into each other's lives.

I was struck by the generosity and kindness of many people, but most especially Rick Rowley- the brilliant pianist who, coincidentally, played piano and coached a terrified young me through my performance at this conference 9 years ago. In 2005 I did not know when to bow, or that I might be expected to return to the stage if applause continued... or how to not panic in general. Rick's encouragement and faith in me not only helped me survive that day, but has remained a dear memory and model for my own experiences working with confused young people. Despite an undoubtedly busy schedule, Rick found a way to attend my performance. Having him there meant so much to me. What a wonderful soul.

Oh yeah,I should mention the performance.

I performed Zack Stanton's brilliant Concerto for Horn and Chamber Ensemble on the Saturday evening concert. That is an amazing piece of music. My preparations were filled of fond reflections of premiering it in 2011 (on the same stage I performed it this weekend), of the dear friends who performed it with me, Dan Welcher's wisdom in the rehearsals, and the absolute genius of the composer, whom I feel so fortunate to call a friend. That work reflects so many of the ways my time at the Butler School nurtured and supported me. I will always treasure it and my memories of performing and putting it together.

Zack- they loved it. Expect your phone to ring and your email to blow up. :)

The performance itself was exciting... I still can't believe that ensemble was able to tackle the work In one rehearsal. ONE. The loneliest number. They are badasses.

Playing that piece feels like.... Telling my favorite story, and I loved every damn second.

Austin:
I will never grow tired of Austin.

I do, however, reserve the right to despise everything happening with high-end apartments and South Lamar. For crying out loud, people. Chill out. Stop tearing buildings down and replacing them with awful complexes named "Tree Dwelling" and other nonsense. You are embarrassing yourself, and the Broken Spoke, and probably the famous blind salamanders of Barton Springs.

Friends:

Ok. I told approximately one person I was going to be in town. I'm the worst.

Serendipitously I ran into many of you, and it was beyond delightful. You know who you all are, and that I love you, our conversations, the Mexican Martinis, the coffees, the singing. Don't ever change a thing.

The rest of you: I will atone for this in May. I promise.

Pat:
There is not enough I can possibly say about Patrick Hughes. From the moment I met him, he has been kind, generous, inspiring, and patient. As I bounced back and forth between every (not a joke, actually) major in the music school he smiled and listened to my doubts and questions. He encouraged me musically and personally. He taught me about the horn, but more importantly about music, teaching and all around good-personness. (it can be a word if i say so. it's my blog)

Yep, Cherry Road. It's a thing.

When I finally chose to pursue performance, he resisted the urge to say "about time!" and helped me dive in and navigate a new path (this was in my 4th year of college. FOURTH. My parents want him declared a saint).

The generosity of his invitation to perform at this conference touched me deeply. His aplomb in navigating crises and changes is truly astounding,

He's also an incredible musician and teacher, seriously. Wow.
He's even patient for 8 AM group warm ups. No one should play the horn at 8 AM, let alone teach it.

This man is a treasure.

I have no apologies for being so gushy.

Family:
I have long quipped that I may be only musician in the world whose parents forced them to major in music. It's true though. They expected piano, but were supportive when my attention turned to horn.

They made a 3 hour round trip to hear me perform this weekend. That's a lot of driving for a 12 minute piece.

There is something so precious about hearing your parents tell you they are proud of you as they hug you backstage after a huge professional moment. My dad gives the best hugs. I could write a book about how amazing and funny my parents are.... If you're not careful I might do it.

It's just so cool that my sister-in-law will geek out about this stuff with me, and I am pretty sure I have the best big brother ever.

For real. A fine musician in his own right, his feedback and support means more than I can say. I don't think I would ever have become a musician if he hadn't let me nap against the piano sounding board in his childhood piano lessons, sung duets at church, introduced me to Mahler 2 (and ACDC), and attended all of my recitals. I know i wouldn't have if he hadn't constantly reminded me how proud he was of me.

He's the coolest. Bottom line.

Another time we'll discuss my brave and beautiful cousin Helen. But, it did my heart so much good to see her, and borrow just an ounce of her fearlessness for this performance. The ever patient Becky also deserves a post, and it's coming, don't worry.

Home:
It's a super nifty coincidence that home, aka Muldoon, is only about 1.5 hours out of austin. At the tail end of my trip, I got to spend time there with the parents, the cows, and the breathtaking wildflowers. Last year, the first time I missed the Texas spring, I missed the flowers so much....but they were in full bloom. And I took pictures every 30 seconds because my folks were kind enough to humor me.