Memories. Ahhh Yes, Memories of My Life

Opportunity Missed

PROMPT July 3rd

Describe a missed opportunity you encountered, and how things might have been different if you hadn't missed it.

         Wow, so many missed opportunities, yet so many met too! Let me think a moment, and see what I decide to talk about. Hmmmm

         In 1989, while in the Navy and stationed on my second shore tour in Bangor, Washington, I saw an ad in the Bremerton Sun newspaper. The Bremerton Symphony Orchestra was looking for a French Horn player! Keep in mind, this is 'before the internet' was available to the general public.

         Now, I'd played the Horn for 8 years while in school, and loved it, and music in general. I knew I needed to practice before auditioning, after all it had only been 17 years since I'd last touched a French Horn! Still, I felt I could do it. I contacted a local high school and arranged to borrow a French Horn for a short while. Having it in my hands again was like being reborn. Without sounding like a complete pervert, I know I caressed that brass a few minutes before I played a few notes. While I'd never forgotten how to play it (and am confident I could play it yet today), but quickly realized my embouchure was almost non-existent. An embouchure is how your lips form when playing a brass instrument, and to hit higher notes and play for lengthy periods, you need your embouchure. Still, I persevered, and practiced all I could.

         Finally the important day had arrived, and I went to my audition. To my surprise, I was accepted as a member of the Bremerton Symphony Orchestra! This is where the missed opportunity comes in. I managed to make it to a couple of practices, but family issues (my wife didn't like me being in the Orchestra, with the practice time and rehersals taking me away from family time) prevented me from really participating like I should have. I ended up returning the Horn, and being dropped from the Orchestra. Now the Bremerton Symphony Orchestra isn't a big thing in the music scene. But still, I could have been involved in something I'd loved since the 5th grade! But to keep the peace, I folded. Even today, I'd love to pick up a Horn, or even a Trombone (I taught myself to play that in the 11th grade) and see if I can still play a bit.





Jim Dorrell