1. THE A MUST BE LIKE THE VOICE OF G-D.
2. Play what's on the page if you want to advance in the audition.
3. Two words: Naxos subscription.
4. I apparently play the double bass.
5. You cannot make a grilled cheese sandwich in a toaster.
6. However, it is a valid protest against lack of vegetarian food.
7. If you sleep through the first five minutes of rehearsal once, you will wake up in a cold sweat every morning 30 minutes before your alarm goes off freaking out that you're missing rehearsal. This is considered normal. Even on weekends.
8. Yes, you really did just drag an English horn here to play eight measures.
9. The music world is small. Very, very small.
10. Play it wrong once, Jose gives you a funny look. Play it wrong twice, you get "keeled."
11. The goal for anything written by Ravel: to suck a little less at it each day.
12. You CAN, in fact, sprain your elbow.
13. There are a lot of people who will want to bring you down. Their opinion doesn't matter. Keep going.
14. Netflix makes reedmaking suck less.
15. Do not belly bump Alex around bowling balls.
16. IHOP. Kids' Menu. 2am.
17. Anything can be made dirty by adding "if you know what I mean." If you know what I mean.
18. Bringing a coffee maker to EMF was not a sign of being an obsessive coffee drinker. It was, in fact, the best decision of your life.
19. Sides of the tip.
20. Nail polish and emery boards are surprisingly good for reeds as well as nails.
21. Your teachers do listen to things other than classical music. Like hip hop.
22. It is possible to play the oboe in a "sleazy" manner.
23. Play like you have a cow next to you.
24. Sometimes the tuning A on the piano sounds more like Chopsticks...
25. You do not need to sleep.
26. "Israelian" is not a word.
27. Don't be a drag, just be a queen.
28. Do not trust the GPS.
29. Moreover, do not trust the iPhone GPS.
30. If the Greensboro Police are there, chances are you don't want to be.
31. Cold Stone Ice Cream Cupcakes.
32. Never take a hot shower for granted.
33. Or air conditioning, for that matter.
34. Unless we're talking about Sternberger, which is a refrigerator.
35. String quartets can be extremely loud.
36. Starting in the correct clef helps.
37. A groundhog is the same thing as a woodchuck,
38. Late night golf cart rides with Calvin. Turns out Guilford has some pretty sweet hills.
39. Find your inner smile.
40. Starbucks has an EMF discount. Use it.
41. Don't get locked out of your room in your bathrobe.
42. Practice efficiently, because chances are you'll be too tired to do it later.
43. I apparently have a 6th sense for when people are outside my door.
44. Above all, it's the music that matters. And it's your love of music that matters more.
I'm sure I'll think of more. Thank you everyone for an amazing summer. I love you all.
