This year, the Winter Gala Concert was held on the evening of December 6th 2018. Although I was part of five performances in last year’s Spring Gala Concert, it was my first Winter Gala, so I was excited to see and hear new performances. I participated in three performances on the concert, one for the concert band for which we played one song and two separate songs in which I played the trumpet, Get Down On It by Kool & The Gang and Feels Like Home.

The dress rehearsal went very well the previous day, so we were all motivated and I was not afraid that something would go wrong in the band songs. The two separate performances also went well, and being great songs, the performance was a lot of fun. We rehearsed during lunchtimes several times for the two songs, which was essential in getting everyone playing together.

Playing “Feels Like Home”. Photo credits: Gecko Net

With the band we prepared for the concert for the whole semester and by the concert we had The Chronicles of Narnia ready for the performance. It all ran quite well, and I was happy that I got all the high notes with which I struggled during practice sometimes.

Preparing the stage for “Feels Like Home”. Photo credits: Gecko Net

Get Down On It and Feels like Home also ran well, but I once did not get the right note unfortunately. We later heard that the microphones were not perfectly placed and that we were not loud enough.

The concert band playing “The Chronicles of Narnia”. Photo credits: Gecko Net

For me, performing in a band is no problem at all, since I have done it a lot of times, however in smaller groups, I get slightly nervous that something will go wrong, so the concert was good in having me step out of my comfort zone and this experience will surely improve my confidence for upcoming performances. Even though it takes more time due to the rehearsals, I am always happy for the chance to play in concerts, since I learn skills during practice and performing that will be valuable in the future, such as being confident in front of a large number of people.