Well, Thanksgiving is over, and now I get to start on one my absolute favorite activities. I go out on Broadway in the downtown shopping district of Columbia and play my euphonium (baritone horn). I play all kinds of Christmas music -- I can play for about 1 hr without repeats, all from a sheet of paper. It has the name of the song, the note it starts on and the key it's in - the rest I do by ear. 
I put my case out with a sign and raise money for the Salvation Army. I played for a couple hours today and raised $84.82. That's a better than average yield, but then I was playing when the crowds came back from a football game, and Missouri won by 25 points, so people were in a good mood, I guess. I'll do this a bunch more times between now and Christmas. Typically I raise anywhere from $200 - 400 for the SA. I like them as a charity as very little of the money goes to administration -- it's almost all going to help needy folks -- and the bulk of it stays local, too.
While the money is great, I'd do it even if I couldn't raise anything, just for the fun of it. I love how it makes people smile -- both adults and children! Some people will stay for a song or two. Maybe sing along, or call someone up on their cell phone so they can hear it. It's a blast! It's great in how it teaches kids to be generous, too. Lots of times parents will hand the kids some money and have them go put it in my case. Everyone gets a bow from me (while I'm playing) when they give. And I do take requests!
Speaking of brass music.... The brass group I play with, the ShowMe Brass Band, will be putting on a concert on Thursday December 7 (we figured that day already "lives in infamy" so we couldn't hurt it! lol). Concert starts at 7:30 and is at the Salvation Army on West Ash St. in Columbia. That's the chapel and business office, not the thrift store. So all you local dudes and dudettes, come give us a listen. I think you'll enjoy it!
Well, in keeping with the dreams of my last couple posts, I've started to work on my ad portfolio. Here's my first one. Not an ad for anything -- just a stock image that might be used in an ad somewhere. Let me know what you think!
I put my case out with a sign and raise money for the Salvation Army. I played for a couple hours today and raised $84.82. That's a better than average yield, but then I was playing when the crowds came back from a football game, and Missouri won by 25 points, so people were in a good mood, I guess. I'll do this a bunch more times between now and Christmas. Typically I raise anywhere from $200 - 400 for the SA. I like them as a charity as very little of the money goes to administration -- it's almost all going to help needy folks -- and the bulk of it stays local, too.
While the money is great, I'd do it even if I couldn't raise anything, just for the fun of it. I love how it makes people smile -- both adults and children! Some people will stay for a song or two. Maybe sing along, or call someone up on their cell phone so they can hear it. It's a blast! It's great in how it teaches kids to be generous, too. Lots of times parents will hand the kids some money and have them go put it in my case. Everyone gets a bow from me (while I'm playing) when they give. And I do take requests!
Speaking of brass music.... The brass group I play with, the ShowMe Brass Band, will be putting on a concert on Thursday December 7 (we figured that day already "lives in infamy" so we couldn't hurt it! lol). Concert starts at 7:30 and is at the Salvation Army on West Ash St. in Columbia. That's the chapel and business office, not the thrift store. So all you local dudes and dudettes, come give us a listen. I think you'll enjoy it!
Well, in keeping with the dreams of my last couple posts, I've started to work on my ad portfolio. Here's my first one. Not an ad for anything -- just a stock image that might be used in an ad somewhere. Let me know what you think!
zoomusikgrl:
awww...you are too sweet. playing the baritone for charity...*squee*