[TPIN] How does one hang in there when really, really discouraged?

[Tim Phillips]

Illegitimus non carborundum.  The world is full of horses behinds with 
enough personal problems to fill a psych textbook.  Most of them love to 
persecute people who might otherwise care to make themselves feel alive 
or like they have some power.  One of the reasons I didn't become a 
minister was the prospect of dealing with that horsecrap in the church.  
The world has many control freaks that have to control everything and 
cannot abide anyone who won't worship at the feet of their authority.  A 
former US president was correct - you can please some of the people some 
of the time, but you'll never please all the people all the time.  

I've played in big bands at country clubs, worked my tail off, only to 
have the band fussed at for being so loud someone at a table 10 feet 
from the band stand can't have a conversation.  Well "DUH!".  Years ago, 
someone had the bright idea of sticking the brass in the balcony with 
the congregation only to have us blasted for the brass playing "like 
they were on the football field" (granted Morgenmusik and Bruckner in 
that setting may be been bad programming - you live, you learn).  The 
list goes on and on. 

You didn't say if this was your home church or if you were being paid to 
be there.  If it's your home church, you expect a little loyality to you 
because of your loyality to them over the years.  But, it's been my 
experience that many people have no concept of loyality or even 
recognition of the sacrifices of others for their benefit.  They have no 
compunction about breaking agreements with you when it suits them.  
These people are in the world - and it's a pity you have to deal with 
them in the church.  It is probably the case they don't want a trumpet 
after all - maybe they like the idea of a trumpet, but have no clue what 
that means - they probably want a flute or violin.  I am sure there are 
plenty of other congregations that would appreciate you in your area.   
It's a pity you may have to leave your home church because of this, but 
you will most likely be happier in a church that appreciates your efforts.

As far as what some other trumpet players say.. well...  I'll reiterate 
my opening sentences.   The pity is the number of horses behinds that 
hold trumpets.  But, I must admit, the number of nice, genuine people I 
have run into that play trumpet out number those few.

I'll not get into a debate about the difference between people who 
genuinely love their country and jingoism... this isn't the place.  Nor 
will I defend all the policies of any government (I personally don't 
care for GW or many of his policies) or tradition or religion or lack 
thereof - this again just isn't the place.  I recently played in a 
concert featuring the coronation anthems of Handel.  To be honest,  I 
felt quite a twinge of what it must mean and feel like to play this for 
the monarch of any country with the proud words and music "Long live the 
King!  God save the King!".  A similar feeling inside to having played 
on a production of the Mozart Requiem earlier and delving into the 
meaning of that music as well.  To do less, to me at least, is to do a 
disservice to the music and it's message.  I feel the same way about 
Last Post.  For me, it would be analagous to eating a sumptous meal, but 
only be able to see the food, not taste it.   I would pity anyone who 
doesn't understand the music on the same level - and care less what they 
think :)  I've got a Tootsie Pop for 'em....

We all get discouraged... God knows that I have had my share of bad 
performances and huge playing dissapointments.  But, it's like someone 
else said - it's like the bad shots in golf.  You ignore them and try 
and do better next time.  Hang in there!  It's not over, till it's over :)

Tim Phillips
iplatrpt at unifourbrass.org
 
smatt401 at dotnet.com wrote:

>How does one hang in there and keep playing trumpet, even when really, really 
>discouraged?
>
>This has been a bad week trumpet-playing-wise and I'm looking for a little encouragement. 
>I lost my gig on S-nday. I had intended to play "Taps" in the ch-rch I hold a position in but 
>was informed by the head de-con that my trumpet playing was too loud. So, I sadly put my 
>bugle in the trunk. No "Taps" on the bugle that day, no more trumpet playing any day.
>
>The next day I played "Taps" at 3:00 PM, as recommended by the Bugles Across Am-r-ca 
>site. It suggested we write to Getzen, which produces field trumpets with the BAA logo, and 
>tell them about playing taps. Some TPIN'ers asked about trumpeters playing "Taps" so I cut 
>and pasted my e-mail to Getzen. Bad idea--I've been flamed by other trumpet players from 
>thousands of miles away. Ouch. I was just answering someone else's posting about playing 
>the bugle for taps. Contrary to popular opinion even trumpet players have feelings buried 
>somewhere in the braggadocio and arrogance.
>
>I'd like to hang it up . . . but I've been playing trumpet (badly, I'll admit) since 1963 and it's 
>a part of me, a part of me that's really hurting, however. It's really hard to practice the 
>trumpet/flugelhorn/bugle right now, without any opportunities to perform with other 
>musicians, without encouragement . . .  
>
>So, how does one hang in there and keep playing trumpet, even when really, really 
>discouraged?
>
>S.M.M.
>  
>