I received a 97 on my Erie County solo, playing two movements from Bach's Sonata for Cello and Piano no. 2 in D major. This sounds alright, until you realize that 7-8 other cellists at level 6 got either 99 or 100, and an indeterminate number after that had 98's. We then come to the disheartening conclusion that I may not make it to Erie County for the first time in 5 years.


My degree of success with the All-County Orchestra has been variable, but I managed to get in the second year I tried out. That year, 6th grade, I had gotten a 100 on a level 5 piece, and consequently enjoyed a spot in the first chair of the cello section. That experience was the most heartening one in all of my musical career, as well as being the most fun thanks to having Clare in the second chair; my 11-year-old self took great pride in what now seems to be a rather trivial matter. But so it was.

The following year, I moved into the junior high orchestra, and therefore went back several places as I was on the low end of this older group. Still, I was only transferred to 8th chair, so my pride was not injured significantly. The next year, however, I attempted level 6 and did poorly, sending me all the way back to last chair. Still, in 8th grade I made somewhat of a comeback, getting a 99 on that same level. The remainder of my tenure with the orchestra was a shuffle back and forth between these lower positions.

And now, my score on a level 6 piece has actually decreased with the advance of years. At this rate, it seems that the deterioration of my skills will only continue until I can't play at all. I know it seems absurd to make such an assertion based on merely losing a few points on one year's evaluation, but given my current lack of practice, I know that my abilities will continue to wane unless I take action.

The simple solution, then, is to practice more. But what would otherwise be my practice time is senselessly devoted to idly toying with the damned guitar, which lures me away from the other instruments to which I have committed myself. How sad that the instrument which I so coveted has effectively made me a poorer cello and piano player, while only barely advancing my plans for musical development.


Really, this is just another example of why I should practice the instruments that I have a responsibility to play, rather than those that at which I've not significantly developed in terms of technique.

On another note, I don't care too much for having school on Monday. Should I go in all day, or drop off my stuff and run? Successfully act as my moral conscience and you'll win a prize!