The Four Seasons - (of Bassoon)

In the musical world, our four seasons vary slightly from Mother Nature. Those in academia live by Fall, Sleep, Spring, Festivals/Jobs.
Those in the orchestral world, a modified version: Master Classics, Nutcracker, Master Classics, Pops. 


Regardless, the transition between seasons is a crucial time for a musician to 1.) Recuperate
2.) Reflect
3.) Ready

RECUPERATE
Career paths generally do not require a 24-hour a day obsession with an inanimate object you chose as your life's work while a pre-teen. We are unique individuals with job skills, requirements, training, and demands with which few can empathize. 
A season deserves recuperation. How do you bring yourself back to tip-top shape? I travel--Paris anyone?! 


REFLECT
A musician's work is never done. This field is exhilarating in part because there is no perfection. Music can always be done differently; with greater risk, greater emotion, greater cleanliness, clarity, consistency, and confidence.
The close of a season is a time to look back and reflect on the growth of the season prior. What will you take with you and build upon? What will you re-address in new ways? What isn't working?
These self-realizations are what prepare you to ready for the next season.


READY
Finally, your realizations become reality in the practice room. Build upon your strongest performances. Learn from your missteps. Be constructive, be critical. 
Practice and prepare for your next season.

_______________________
Summer is fast approaching...will you be ready?

---