Maslanka Symphony No. 9

Now the fun can begin. Although I've had fun working on David Maslanka's newest Symphony No. 9 these past few days. It truly is time to get back to the fun that will last the next three months. This energetic very emotional performance is definitely one for the books for me. I realized at the end of tonight, as I was packing drums into the truck, that I've played three different Maslanka Symphonies in the last two years. Most people are lucky enough to have played one or even two in their lifetimes, but three in only a couple of years is quite the treat.

At this point, the only thing left on the books is learning and performing the recital. Its funny that I say "the only thing left," because really thats a whole three month process in and of itself. So much to sacrifice for the things I want in my life. Sacrifice time with family, friends, and good friends I haven't seen in a long time just to get more practice time in. But, I keep telling myself  that it'll be worth it in the end. I hope this is true. I hope that this feeling of uncertainty fades a little as the deadline approaches. I hope that  I can listen with my heart and my soul more often.

The last two nights I have been listening with an open heart and an open soul. Open to the universe, open to the possibilities of what may be. I do believe that if we listen close enough that the universe will let you in on little secrets but you have to be able to truly focus in your heart and soul and listen to them equally and unbiased. If you can do this anything is possible. This is what drives me to do the things that I do, to play the pieces that I play. Many people, one in particular, has said to me quite a few times "You're crazy" or "Why do you pick such hard pieces?" My reply, "It's just what I do." I don't usually pick the pieces the way most people do, the pieces tend to pick me. That process pushes me to further my knowledge of music and pushes the boundaries of my playing beyond what I ever thought was possible.

Let it begin.