What is "The Box"?

When the expression is used, "out of the box," the question arises in me, "What box?" or "What is the box?"

The simple answer is: The box is a usual or habitual or standard 'fill it up with regular' way of going on. It is, no matter what the subject matter might be, a common and accepted way of doing something.

When looking at the arts, for example, it appears that there are many boxes, the reason being there are so many kinds of art. Even in one branch, there are many different schools and methods of training, not to mention numerous ways of approach!

If no one went beyond the accepted style of the times, nothing would change. Change is a part of life on both a small and a grand scale, but it is interesting to see how hard it is to change something in ourselves or in a society even if that something is harmful. We get used to things and become comfortable with our familiar ways and that brings a certain security. This is why I believe it can be very difficult to change something in ourselves unless we have some compelling reason to change.

If someone is interested in change for the reason of personal growth, it is best done slowly and under the guidance of someone who has proven to be knowledgeable in that area, someone with a track record of success working with other people. When entering unchartered waters, it is comforting to know you are in good hands. Even pioneering types look for guidance in one way or another.

It all depends on what you want. And of course, that can change....

For me, music is a living thing. And what makes it alive is my need to use music as a medium to transfer various aspects of life and what it means to me. But more importantly, I want to be an instrument myself for the parts of life that find me a suitable instrument to work through. That's because I believe the human has huge potential and each person has the ability to affect the whole of life no matter how small it might seem. The question is, "How do we want to affect it?"

For me, I wish to be a musical conduit for that which is more enhancing and elevating in life. And that can take many forms such as healing, inspiration, encouragement, beauty, humor, reverence, awe, appreciation, honor and much more. In order to be in a state of synchrony with those areas that I wish to flow through me, I have to be closer to where they live, and that is a journey of personal growth. But it is worth the work and effort because I have to be truthful with myself and feel what is out of tune in me that could prevent those more elevated qualities from passing through my music.

I have to be willing to get out of my box, to change an attitude or habit, which takes work and time. Not always easy, but then again, if I want to grow, it is easier to deal with the rough times if I know why I am doing it and believe in it.

I believe we were made to always grow, deepen and enrich our lives. So in that light, I am willing to break out of one box after another, for the sake of being in tune with the bigger picture, which is infinite in its dimensions and possibilities!

More Trombone Sci-Fi

"One more time, Oscar, and keep the slide charged to the very end of the vein stem," Mr. E. Lewiston said. "Now, lower the bell and keep the intensity of the 'U' syllable."

Oscar was following the directions his 7th degree mentor was giving him, but his mind was also focused on the 'Olanim' chant. He did not want any frustration or anxiety to move through him and activate the 'AIM' device.

"You seem a bit slow, Oscar. I can adjust your sensor-helmet if you think this would help," said Mr. E. Lewiston.

"No thank you," replied Oscar. "I think it is just getting used to being back on top of a heavy workload."

"I'm sure it is," agreed Mr. E. Lewiston. "But we have no time to relax. We are preparing to go to the ISTP competition this year. That means it is only four and a half months from now! All competitors--I signed you up to participate by the way--need to cut their sleep to only two hours a night and increase their dietary supplements to four times daily with extra EMF stimulation engagements."

"With all do respect, my mentor, that is impossible with my current workload at the Academy. On top of all my studies and practicing, I have maintenance work at the Hall of Events and working three times a week at IDAL," said Oscar with concern in his voice timbre. " I can't do all that, I'm not sure who could."

Mr. E. Lewiston looked at Oscar. "I know you are under a lot of pressure. Maybe I can talk to director Kline about cutting down your workload."

"That would be much appreciated sir," said Oscar.

"However," continued Mr. E. Lewiston, "that time would be filled with extra rehearsals and practice tests working towards the ISTP competition."

Some anxiety was building up in Oscar, so he immediately started mentally chanting 'Olanim' with a slow tempo, mid pitch and mellow, hollow timbre.....


This is another excerpt from my book, "The TAC Legend Writings,
Book 1: Journey To Freedom." Here are links to other excerpts:
Trombone Sci-Fi
Excerpt from "The TAC Legend Writings"
Blinded by Sound
Another Excerpt from "The TAC Legend Writings"
More from "The TAC Legend Writings"

Follow Up: Playing Alone Together

It's been great to receive some responses from folks who are interested in this unique concert experience of playing alone with others. I am also very interested in this as well! It is very warming to think of sending supportive acoustics from anywhere in the world to anyplace in the world. This is something that Carol and I have done for years in the Frequency Band, but not in this exact way.

For others of you who are interested in this performance together, let me know. I will keep you all posted as more develops.

Happy, soulful music making to you all!

Making Music Alone... with Others

One evening during the holidays, while at a family gathering, I ended up talking with two people who, independently, mentioned that have their own private relationship with music. They both play piano, create their own pieces and just love to play--as long as they have total privacy.

We often can think that music is a social art (playing in a large or small group in front of others, for example), but I (and probably most of you reading this) know many people who have their own very satisfying musical life where no other person ever hears them. So, after talking with these people, it reminded me of my own private musical life that I have always had. And I realized you can be a public performer in a group, a world famous soloist, a schooled musician who ends up doing something else for a living, a self-taught musician, someone who whistles while they work or sings in the car or shower, all have their own personal and private musical life despite the apparent outward differences.

The very wonderful and interesting thing to me in this, in a lot of these people like the ones I spoke with at the family party, is there is no need in them to ever play in front of other people, not even family or friends; (I wonder if that even includes pets or other animals. Hmmm...). The supportive acoustic for them is playing alone, perhaps in a place where they feel very safe and comfortable.

For me, when I play alone, I don't feel alone. There is an odd sense of wholeness and togetherness and a feeling that a something else is listening. For all of you private music makers, maybe you feel that too, that something is listening to your music and supports your art. In any case, know that I think it is wonderful and I support your private music making.

Hey, this makes me wonder, maybe we could all play a concert together in the privacy of our own personal environments. We could set a time and everyone could play their special music together, yet in private, knowing others are doing the same at the same time.

Sound interesting?

What's Next? Website Links

We recently found out that many people who visit this blog don't know I have a website where you find news about my upcoming performances (including Frequency Band events and playing with other orchestras), master classes, recordings, texts and all kinds of other things. So, Carol has asked me to post a little something here to let you all know that. Here are a couple links:

News page at http://www.air-ev.com/news.cfm
Events Calendar page at http://www.air-ev.com/events.cfm

We'll soon be adding new things to our Resources area too, as well as to our Catalogue page (including digital downloads not only for recordings but for print music and text as well). We thought many of you might find that useful and especially folks overseas for whom ordering products sent by mail is more difficult (even though we do take orders for CDs, print music and texts on our online shopping cart from anywhere in the world, for those who prefer that).

So, I hope you all are enjoying the posts here, which will continue even more regularly now, and that, if you want to find out other news, you will visit the website too. If there's anything you can't find or would like to see, well, you can let Carol know! :-)

Thank You So Much!

Last night was my last concert with the orchestra. I could not even have imagined a warmer and more sentimented send off than that one!

First, hornist Jane Sebring baked a beautiful and delicious cake with an inscription written in icing, "Not again Norman!" This has meaning to several BSO members who remember the time our former personnel manager, Bill Moyer, got a little fed up with me always being the last one on stage. I would get changed at our six minute call and be on stage a minute before tuning. (I would like to point out, for the sake of balances, that I always was at the hall warming up at least one hour before the concert or rehearsal started. :-) Anyway, one time Bill thought I was pushing it, and he announced over the P.A. system, "Not again, Norman!" in an anguished but gentle tone. It was hysterical! Thank you to Jane and her husband, Gus Sebring, the BSO's associate principal horn, for the cake and all the years of meaningful conversations and great music making. Gus has world premiered two pieces I've written and, hopefully, will be recording.

Also, BSO horn player, Jonathan Menkis, brought in some wonderful cookies that his daughters baked for me, accompanied by a very nice handmade card too.

Then the conductor last night was James Orent, who is one of the Pop's assistant conductors and a violinist as well. I enjoy Jim's conducting very much and he has participated in one of our Frequency Band recordings and concerts, as well. So to have him be the conductor of my last BSO/Pops engagement was a real gift. He announced to the audience, in a very sentimented way, that I was leaving and the audience let out a big sigh! Then he gave me a solo bow and, unexpectedly, spotllighted me in the last piece of the program, a swing version of "Frosty the Snowman" that had a big trombone soli in it. I also was given flowers on stage, which was a gift from trombonist (and long-time Frequency Band participant), Darren Acosta.

At this point, I was starting to get a bit overwhelmed because all of this was on top of the special gift and incredible note that Doug Yeo, the bass trombonist and my dear friend (who also has kindly played and conducted on Frequency Band recordings) had given me.

I received many heart-warming well wishes from other colleagues, stage crew members, the BSO driver, other staff, friends, family and even complete strangers that night and wonderful emails from current and former students, other family members and friends came flooding in as well. It was a heartfelt send off from people I really care about.

To everyone who played a part, including members of the orchestra, friends and those closer family members (especially my beloved wife, Carol, who also took the above photo before the concert), I want to say, "Thank You!" May your lives continue to be filled with the joy and wonder that music is and represents!

A Picture is Worth...