I was a pro but I blew it

[mikebmiller]

You got into an arts HS and "forgot about it." Please elaborate. You forgot that you got in or forgot to go? Seems like they might have sent a reminder or two.

[iiipopes]

I didn't forget my high school all state audition - later on it earned me a small stipend in college.

[Three Valves]

I’m sure you didn’t blow it as bad as that chick trombone player in Austin!!

I was in All State band.

I usually forget to tell people that State was Delaware

[mikebmiller]

Delaware isn't big enough to have an All State band:) More like all county. Then again, when I was in HS in the late 70's in SC, if you could hold a contrabass clarinet, you could be in all state.

[anotherjtm2]

I’m sure you didn’t blow it as bad as that chick trombone player in Austin!!

The symphony player? Yeah... I'll admit I was surprised, too.

[anotherjtm2]

It wasn't until I had been playing for around 10 years, that I found out, my dad was a tuba player.

He didn't want to tell me. Because he thought I would stop.

That's really funny. Also, that was clever of him.

[tokuno]

In the old days, we car-pooled to the (high-school-only) AllState site, were met by host families, and spent the night in blankets on their living room floor after a homemade spaghetti meal. About a dozen of us, iirc, jammed into a tiny little bungalow - showers were scarce. There were two bands - the good players and the leftovers (obligatory acceptance). Friday seat placements & rehearsal, Saturday all day rehearsal, Sunday rehearsal and concert.
My kids' experience: rented motor coach, hotel rooms, multiple middle-school & high-school bands, display hall, conferences, chaperones, and they begin on Thursday.
Commonality: everyone still complains about the food