Morning Update

Update: The beds here suck. The showers are pretty good, though.

SOA Commencement

T+ 1 Day and counting.

This marks the end of my first day of Sound of America. I started check-in at about 2:30, took several trips to my dorm room to get things toted and unpacked, and then engaged of a night full of fun and laughs. After meeting my roommate who is a percussionist from California, went to the dining hall and ate my first dinner on campus. I sat by myself for the first part of the meal, but then began talking to several chaperones that each have been with the group for four years. One actually went to school with my Great Uncle! The other was a Gifted Ed teacher for many years, and we had lots of interesting conversations between the three of us. I then went down into the commons room and started talking with a group of about three other Honor Band kids which played the Trumpet, Bass Clarinet, and Clarinet. They were a really neat group of people, and we shared lots of laughs. I then played some "Around the World" ping-pong. You have like 6-8 people with a paddle and after each person hits the ball, the whole group rotates and the next person hits it. Make a mistake, and you're out. I was runner-up in the first round of competition, but then I sat the next few rounds out because the commons area was rather uncomfortably hot. Later, the staff had a "Hoagie Social" scheduled, where we ate sandwiches and talked. I was originally going to sit with the same group that I talked with in the commons area, but I decided to branch out and sit at a table that I knew nobody, so I got to learn all of their names. All in all, I met about 12 different people today. I feel pretty good about that, since I usually am very hesitant about just going up and talking to people that I don't know. I'm really excited to start tomorrow, which is the first full day here at Elizabethtown College, and additionally the first day that we begin rehearsing for our performances. It's getting late, and I've had a really busy day, so I'm going to go ahead and wrap things up and head to bed. Tomorrow is going to be a very rigorous rehearsal day, but still greatly enjoyable.

Surprise 16th Birthday/Bon Voyage Party!

As I was coming back from a friend's house, I was extremely surprised to find a bunch of my friends waiting there for my surprise party! I had such a great time, and really appreciated everyone coming to celebrate. I'm so happy to have so many awesome friends that are happy to see my travel to Europe!
The cake that they got me said "Bon Voyage - 16th in Paris", and then they had cutouts of each of the 6 country's flags that I will be visiting. I have such a fantastic group of supporting friends and family!

Good News!

Today, I received my music packet containing all the pieces we will play throughout the tour. Along with the music was the chair placement results. Which I very excitingly received the position of First Bassoon! I'm am extremely overjoyed and thankful for this placement. I am already working hard to study all my music and be sure I'm thoroughly prepared to begin rehearsal at Elizabethtown, along with making sure all my suitcases, bags, and instrument items are packed prior to our departure. This is a little bit stressful, but my mom's great at helping me out with my packing, so I should be fine!