Josh was exhausted when he walked in the door just before 1:30 this morning. Up at 6, with an after school rehearsal followed by trombone lessons, today will be a long day. He enjoyed his time. His knowledge about drilling and playing techniques was broadened and refined much further. He also got to meet a good number of veterans who have been in the Crossman for years.
The final cut for the Crossman will be made in January. Josh has been invited back for the final cuts. At this point it is comes down to how many veterans will be returning. Josh knows he is on the bubble and has some thinking to do in the coming days.
Today he is meeting with school officials to better understand what would happen for the final weeks of his school year if he were to make it. He is wrestling with two conflicting goals. If he makes the Crossman he would have to give up being in the all-District band, which has been one of his goals. He has also a greater understanding of the physical, emotional, social and musical demands that would be made upon him if he were in the Crossman. Living for three months sleeping in school gymnasiums in sleeping bags, having few hot meals, spending 4 to 8 hours a day on buses day after day with the same group of people, drilling hours upon end in 90+ temperatures, and having to have your adrenaline pumped up for each evening’s 12 minute performance is demanding.
Mom and Dad will continue to help him work through the issues and decision making process. If he returns in January, and does not make it, we will deal with the disappointment of being so close. We are also proud that he has made it to this point. If he does make the Crossman, we will do what we can to support him along the way and come up with a way to cover the expenses. Either way, what he is going through is a life education process that can serve him well in his adult years.
Reflective Wanderings - Reflections on various topics that arise out of my personal, life and professional experiences. There are also are some family related news, travels and pictures.
3 comments:
Sounds like Josh has some very adult decisions to make. He is a kid with his head on straight however, and I know he will make the decision that is right for himself.
Josh has decided to work at matters over the coming days...including running at least two miles a day. He wants to build up his endurance because the Crossman have a reputation of having a fast moving program. There are points in the program where they are stepping at a rate of up to 220 steps per minute for minutes at a time. A moderate pace is at 140-160 steps per minute.
This year his high school's show went at a rate of about 180 during a portion of their show.
Josh will be going back in January...he talked yesterday with the school that if he makes it that he would have to leave early. The school is willing to work with him on his exams and the two SOLs.
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