Every year I have been setting Goals and offer a reflection at the end of the year. This is my reflection for 2022.
Composing
FINISH the projects from last year that were started.
Did it happen?
Hahahaha…nope. This year was a bit of a firestorm of unexpected difficulties that sapped my mental capacity and emotional energy for much of the year.
What did I finish though?
- Pieces now offered for Sale- Allemonde de Eleri, A Well Traveled Rhapsody, Chorale on a Palestinalied, Fy Gwanwyn Sky, Painless Parker’s Giant Bucket of Teeth, A NOT FOR SALE ( because it would be illeagal for me to do it at this time to my understanding) arrangement of Kingdom Heart’s Music for Brass Band, and Several Arrangemts you can find on my Sheet music plus Publisher Page.
- An orchestral Brass Fanfare that has yet to be Read!
- Several Aural Sketches for Projects that were started last year. I am currently putting these on paper and assembling them to send out over January, now that I’m feeling less burnout.
Sell at least 1 score a month
Did It happen?
Not as I had hoped. Next year, I will be taking on a more refined approach to advertising my works for sale, including building an email list and newsletter. On the plus side, I’ve been selling 1 score/ month since September.
Start Making some Money from Composing
Did it happen?
Sort of yes. I did not get paid as a composer for writing this year. However, I did negotiate a paid commission to be completed this coming year, and for the first time in a long time. I will be paid as a writer in 2023.
Lesson Studio Goals
Build studio up to 30 students.
Have at least 2 big recitals this year ( With at least one being in person, Covid Pending), and generally find more performance opportunities for my students.
Host A Quarterly Studio GET-TOGETHER via Zoom with Games and playing opportunities for peers only.
Have more students participate in MMTA contests and festivals.
Increase educational content on the studio YOUTUBE channel. (sorry, as of now this is for MY STUDENTs only, although I may make some of the videos public eventually). Every other Friday, I plan on recording a short video and UPLOADINg it.
Continue to become a better teacher for my students.
Did It happen.
YES!!!!! In fact, the plan worked a little too well. I ended up with 33 Students at the end of summer!
Musicianship Goals
Play an EtudE Every Practice session
Improve my sightreading on both Piano and Trombone
Establish a functional practice routine and schedule a time to practice every weekday.
Did I succeed?
Mostly. There were some periods where I was not practicing regularily, and in retrospect, I may have been suffering from some form of depression and burnout due to the firestorm. It was due a mix of taking care of others during their chrisises, doing the job of 3 people and feeling underappreciated and a whole mix of other things that just left me feeling numb at the end of summer. After all, if you stand in the cold long enough, you eventually don’t feel it any more.
Luckily, things are looking up finally.
I do have a properly challenging routine now thanks to my friend, and very talented Trombonist Gavin Carney, have been consistant since September, and can’t wait to keep getting better at the Trombone in 2023!
Life and Relationship Building
Continue to improve my health and stregnth.
Did I Succeed?
Overal, Yes!
I took a break from focusing on this and, surprise, surprise, it coinsided with that period where I was not practicing reguarily and feeling comfortably numb. Exercise helps Mental health and I will continue to go to the Gym at least 2 days a week, and find some form of movement every day. If not, I may face another unproductive stretch of time that I can’t get back.
Continue to Volunteer at leAst 4 times a year
Did it happen?
Yes, though in small ways.
Most of this was helping at MMTA theory events, from proctoring exams to giving directions. I also volunteered my time with the Twin Cities Brass Band, helping with web admin tasks and organizing the social media team. I have to say that they were the ones who put in the most effort and got things done though. All I did was delegate 🙂
Plan monthly phone calls and emails, Aim for 1 New person per month to start with in this list.
Did It Happen?
Yes, but not in a steady stream. It was more like a few waterfalls, of 3-4 people every few months. After counting it averaged to 1.3 people/ month.
Support fellow artists through Album/ music PURCHASES and RECOMMENDATIONS, and email them with compliments.
Did I do It?
I did not buy anything this year as the first half was rather lean financially. However, I did do a LOT of listening and sent some reccomendations of my fellow composers to artists that I thought would be a good fit when talking with them over this year. For Example,one of my students is now a FLOOR BABA Fan after exposing them to their music in a lesson. Many encouragements came in the form of Facebook and Twitter comments. I aim to offer more of these in the future.
Attend at least 3 newtorking events or festivals.
Did I do it?
YES!
Brass Chix in January
MMTA Meetings with my local Chapter bi -monthly
Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in December
All in all, 2022 was a spiritually and emotionally challenging year. Life threw a few unexpected tests my way and some important lessons were learned. I learned who in my immediate sphere is worth my time and who needs to grow a little more before I think about interacting beyond a surface level again. I also learned that I am capable of doing the work of 3 people if necessary and, even though I do not always like to be that person, I’m a pretty good leader when it comes down to it. The ability to make and share music is a privilege and I got to experience some goosebump-worthy moments with duet partners, The Twin Cities Brass Band, Swing Sisterhood Big Band, and The Triforce Trombone Trio. I even had the pleasure of hearing my piece, A Ship’s Calling performed and recorded by Calypsus Brass, which was AMAZING! Here’s looking forward to 2023, in which I will write down my intentions and post about them in the next day or two.