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Here is an excerpt from a letter I wrote to
a friend in response to a question about where to find brass
players. It is based only on our experience and some things we
have tried, and I others may find it beneficial as well. Here
it is: |
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" Here's how I have produced brass
players here: |
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1) |
got involved in a community band (at Cal State)..so
far has produced 2 regular trumpeters, 3 occasional trumpeters
and lots of neat friends, many of whom are unsaved) |
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2) |
visited a rehearsal for another community
band that one of our players was involved in…began to establish
relationships, and this has produced 2 possible trumpeters and
a possible baritone…one trumpeter owns a restaurant which
I have since visited 4 times to establish a relationship. He
is lost and we are making GREAT progress in our friendship as
I head toward earning the right to share the gospel with him. |
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3) |
visited several symphony rehearsals and asked
the conductor to mentor me, which he has agreed to do. This WILL
produce contacts and prospects, but I look for it to be a long
term plan |
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4) |
visited several high school band rehearsals…has
produced 1 occasional trumpeter so far, with several other good
contacts. I'm hoping for a tuba player from these contacts |
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5) |
hosted a community -wide Christian orchestra
workshop with Camp as the clinician....produced a bass clarinet,
possible occasional violin who goes to another church but has
offered to help when needed, and lots of great PR. Also produced
a trumpeter who is a minister of Music at another church, but
who played with us recently at a State Evangelism Conference |
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6) |
visiting in the hospital. This produced a
baritone player with cancer. He hadn't played in 30 years and
when I suggested that he find a used horn and get his chops back
in shape he did it...started in our youth orchestra and is now
(after 4 months) a regular member of our adult group and doing
great... AND it has given him a reason for living |
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7) |
ALL CHURCH ORCHESTRA- we do this once a year...2
bulletin announcements this last time produced 2 trumpeters,
a flute, a violinist (ALL STATE kid!!) and I didn't know ANY
of these folks. We use mostly Jeff Cranfill Nine Plus stuff,
and I make the music available to potential players in advance.
One rehearsal prior to the PM service in which they will play,
and we do an opener, offertory and congregational package, for
which I use Camp's "Celebration Hymns for Worship",
pub. by Prism. |
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8) |
have visited several area youth symphony rehearsals.
Hasn't produced any players yet, but hope to build a string section
on relationships we are building there. Also visited 2 high school
orchestra rehearsals, and for one of them the director never
showed up, so I stepped up to the podium, introduced myself and
proceeded to conduct rehearsal! They have 40 string players! |
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Hope this helps with some ideas. Basic plan:
go where the players are, and do what you can to find hidden
players right at home." |