A Story of Mine

On Wednesday I was driving to Brigham City and decided to pull out an old cd I had 'made' (I called it Happy Music) back in high school. At the end I had added some instrumental pieces. Most were pieces I had played at All-State Band or at an honor band I had done at the U. As those pieces came on a flood of memories came back.
While I was at work yesterday morning (all by myself) those same memories had time to come back and in greater detail. I want to dive further into those again now, because I think it is very significant to my life.

I learned to play the clarinet because I could. I had no serious ambitions. I never practiced. I really didn't care. I just showed up each day and thought life was fine.
Then, some of my mom's piano students, Jon and Missy Morgan and their friend Rene Morse, talked about doing this All-State band at their lessons. I don't know why I felt I had to, but I know I felt a certain pull to it and had to be a part of it. So, my sophomore year of high school I talked to my band director and got the list of what I needed to do to audition (or maybe my mom did...certain details are fuzzy...it has been over 10 years since this happened).
Did I practice...of course not. (Man was I an idiot!)
In order to record my audition I had to use the machine in the high school band room since we did not possess any recording materials. So, my band director sat in his office while I struggled through the audition materials.
Later my mom told me that he had talked to her, not believing I would make the band, and told her that he had paid the $45 to get me into the All-State Choir since he was so doubtful.
I remember this next moment vividly.
I was staying with Rene and Missy at Missy's sister's apartment in Provo. We were there for the Summerfest camp at BYU. My mom and I ended up talking on the phone and she told me of opening my acceptance letter into the All-State Band.
There was much rejoicing on my part. And...lots of 'in your face' thoughts towards my band director. I still don't think I've fully forgiven him for doing that to me. I understand that he didn't want me to feel left out, but going to such lengths to prove it...it still hurts.
Not only did I get in, I wasn't last chair. Funny side story-I ended up sitting next to an awesome girl named Lynlee...she and I ended up sitting next to each other in band later on at WSU. 
I loved that experience so much that I did it again the following year.
I also got involved in the honor bands at the U.
By the time I was a senior in high school I was convinced I wanted to be a band director. I had learned so much in those other bands that it had to be a part of my life forever. So, through another round of crazy events, I ended up at Weber State University majoring in music education.
My clarinet teacher was a good musician, but did not really push me that much. I credit any real improvements I made to other teachers, other players around me and other outside forces.
Anyways...
The cherry on top to this frustrating experience in high school with my doubtful band director came when I auditioned for the Utah Intercollegiate Band. I think it was my second time doing it. It was at SUU in Cedar City. I killed my audition. (I know...I'm not terribly humble about this one)
I got 5th chair.
I finally got to sit with the 1st part clarinets.

Eventually I ended up being the section leader and 1st chair clarinet at WSU for a couple of years. I also got to be the principal clarinet in the orchestra for a couple of years.

I really can't explain how I feel as I look back on where I started and the years in-between then and now.
I have truly been blessed, despite the doubt of others and even myself at times.