I am a very lucky guy. As I have written elsewhere on this
site, I have also worked very hard and continue to work on my product. Success
is the right combination of talent, hard work, perseverance, social awareness
and LUCK…no single ingredient will suffice. Integrity is also a crucial
ingredient.
Last season I worked 8 weeks in the New York Philharmonic
and 2 weeks in the Chicago Symphony. Many people have asked me what it was like
to play in those great trombone sections. People have also asked me to compare
the adjustments I had to make in order to fit in with each section. It is
always a great honor to play with these orchestras.
It is difficult for me to compare the two orchestras. These
are the best trombone players in the world! It is like comparing a Lotus and a
Lamborghini. They have very obvious things in common such as great intonation,
rhythmic precision and blend. My job, as a guest, is always to fit in as well
as I can. In order to fit I listen very, very carefully. I listen to them
warming up, I listen to them tune and once the music begins, I listen even more
intently and tack my sound to theirs. There were several times, when
substituting as Associate Principal in the Philharmonic that I would play
principal on piano concertos. When playing principal I had to lead, be
absolutely sure of myself yet still blend with those around me. My job was to
become one of them.
Although the sections play quite differently, all I really
wish to share is that I came away with even more respect for every one of those
trombone players. There is a reason that they are where they are—it is because
they are the best at what they do. They all had practiced thousands of hours
before they won their jobs and now they continue to practice, perhaps even
harder. It is inspirational.