trying to get above water...

School starts tomorrow, and boy am I excited... Actually, I am excited - because it is going to be a great, albeit different, year.

I took my diagnostic tests in Music History on Friday. I was extremely unhappy about having to take these again. They were the little-unhappy-thought in the back of my mind all throughout my masters degree. Because - - - at Kansas, you HAD to pass them before they handed you the degree. Yes, you could have played the crap out of your recital, but if you couldn't notate an isorhythmic motet - - - - they really didn't care how well you can play. Oh well. That's what I get for going to an academic school for my masters.

I was extremely pleased to find out that these diagnostic tests were merely for "your information" at ASU. That is my kind of school. Now, don't get me wrong, I am all for the 'total-student' thing, and after last year (RNCM), I understand the value of classes on students. But, it was a definite load off my shoulders to know that I wasn't going to have to go back and retake a bunch of classes.

So, what do you think of the album cover for the new release on the Potenza Music label of Paul Droste's 2 LP's from 1975 and 1984? They were remastered earlier this year, and I finally got around to getting the artwork done for them. My web designer and graphic artist, Trent, gets better with every album. I like it - - - and, it gets another disc out into the public. Good stuff.

I am desperately trying to get things accomplished with my online business - well, my new one - Just For Brass. This is a new venture with a few other people that will be spear-headed by myself and Mary out here in Tempe. Hopefully, it will be big, but not HUGE. I am not ready to be shipping out 50 packages a day. If it does get that big, I'll have to hire some help, and I'm ready for that - - - but, I hope it's more of the 50 packages a week size. Something manageable. Here we go again...

So I am teaching students again here in Tempe. I am starting a private studio soon, but I need to be selective since I will have many obligations at ASU. I'll be teaching undergraduate lessons to the 1st and 2nd year students, as well as teaching brass methods. Good thing I still have my brass methods binder from Capital - oh yeah, Dr. Swinehart - thank you!

Anyway, that is about it. Getting back on my feet has been a lot of work, but it seems that every time we get bogged down, getting back becomes a little bit easier. Tomorrow is the start of the last college I'll ever attend, and hopefully the last degree that I'll ever need. Wish me luck!

new city, new things...

I have been in Tempe for about 2 days now, and I am starting to adjust to the heat, although it's not as bad as it was in June! Mary and I arrived here on the 3rd after driving her car out from Missouri. We had a few nice days of visiting with her folks and then started our trek out along highway 40.

We split up the drive over 3 days. I know that you could do it in 2 if you wanted - - - but, I really hate being in a car, so for MY sake we did it in 3. We saw the scenery change, which was fascinating, and saw a part of the country that we probably wouldn't have seen otherwise.

This summer has been a whirlwind. It seems like yesterday I was playing my graduation recital at the RNCM and now here I am about to start school in the fall. It almost seems surreal at times. This blog has served as a sounding board for all of my "goings-on" and will continue to. I don't think my life is that interesting - - - but, you are reading this, so you must. Anyway, thanks!

A few things that are in the work professionally speaking. I will have 2 new discs coming out before the 1st of the year on Potenza Music. First, Scott Watson has a release of Stepping Stones for Tuba, Vol.1 - which sounds AWESOME! Also, I have finished the re-master of Paul Droste's 2 LP's which will be available soon - hopefully.

All the best!

- Pat (from Tempe, finally........)