Christmas is Done

Well once again I've managed to leave the blog unattended longer than I'd hoped. But, I'm back for the next bit. Lately, I've just been trying to get through school and get prepared for "The Best Experience of My Life: Round Two" and of course, The Christmas Holiday.

School has been going as it always has. It's been really great! I love High School despite all the whining I do. My grades are decent and I usually have time for work and I always try to make time for myself. Band and Choirs finished their concerts last Monday! It was an absolute hit! It was probably one of the best shows the band has put on. We put a lot of work into it and it was very successful. The choirs were excellent as usual! Infinity (my choir) thought it was going to be an absolute train-wreck, even until it was showtime. But, it turned out great! Odyssey always has a fantastic show and they didn't disappoint last Monday.

Christmas was a different scene this year. While most families were getting up early to unwrap presents and have a great home-cooked meal and to relax and watch Christmas movies, our family did something a little different. As usual, Santa came by the Hatfield residence and left presents for everyone. I got lots of candy, Xbox Live Gold Membership, and some clothes. Payton got me some sweatpants and my parents bought me Skull Candy over-the-ear headphones. The usual Christmas festivities, but after this was done we ate the usual cinnamon roll breakfast and we loaded up the car to head out to Sunny Florida. This year, with me making the All Star Band again, we decided to go to our timeshare resort near Orlando. It took three days to make the trip since we drove. Christmas dinner was an all you can eat Chinese Buffet (Yummy!) and we drove on. Today, we made it to our resort and have eaten a mighty meal and are now relaxing for the night.

And we will continue to relax until the All Star Band starts again. I am sooo excited for this event! I may have only gotten myself third part (My audition video wasn't very great) but the experience is incredibly worth every ounce of work I have, and will, put into it. Nothing satisfies me more than meeting new people and playing music. This year, the theme is Rock and I am looking forward to playing it. Last year, when I did this event I loved every second and it made me realize how much Music means to me. This year, I know what to expect but will still learn some valuable lessons along the way, not just on my instrument, but also some lessons in life.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, and I wish you all a Happy New Year!!!!

P.S. Watch for me at the Orange Bowl on January 3rd!!!

If You Aren't Miserable, You Aren't Doing It Right!

There are so many things to be thankful for this weekend and throughout my whole life. I really need to give these things credit, even though it's the day after.

Firstly, I'd like to thank the Guys and Dolls cast even though it's a few weeks late. The show was a complete success and I had a lot of fun. It was stressful at times, fun at times, crazy at times, and amazing all the time. There were nights I'd say "I hate this!" but when it comes show time, I enjoy every second of it. I love the thrill of a performance and look forward to the Spring Play.

Second, I'd like to give thanks to everyone who is supportive of my music. Lately, I have auditioned for playing at the Orange Bowl, AND MADE IT!! I'm super excited for this opportunity. I've auditioned to perform at Carnegie Hall and take a coast-to-coast U.S. tour, I won't know if I made this until February 7th. I've performed at my teacher's church again for a Veteran's Day ceremony and everyone was very appreciative of me for playing. I played Taps, Reveille and the National Anthem. It wasn't a very big crowd but I love it when people ask me to play. Next, I'm playing at a "Double-Nickel Party" in a couple weeks. I don't actually know what goes on at this kind of party but I was asked to play for about 15 minutes. So I decided that I'm going to break out the Haydn Concerto again. Except this time I'm going to play all three movements. Also, my choir teacher asked me to play a trumpet accompaniment for the middle school Christmas concert. They are singing Come Let Us Sing and so I'll be playing for that. Lastly, the High School Christmas Concert is coming up and the music is going really well. I even get a solo in one of the songs, which I am super excited for. Everyone in my life is very supportive of my music, which is my life.

Lastly, I'm thankful for all my friends and family. Whenever I need help, they are there for me. When I need that little bit of encouragement, they are there. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today. They come and support me in my acting, trumpet playing, singing, youth group activities, and anything else I'm involved in. I greatly appreciate their support.

Thank you everyone for the massive amounts of support you give me. Thank you for all the wonderful things you do that I don't deserve. Thank you all for what you have given me, and what you will give. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Remember, if you aren't miserable from all the food you should be eating, you aren't doing Thanksgiving right!

Lights, Camera, Action!

I know it's been a while since I last posted but things are finally gonna start slowing down soon. The past few weeks have been absolutely insane. There have been a few football games, (no home games but I like to go and watch) Musical practice, auditions and school in general. They've all found ways to occupy my time.

The football team had a pretty decent season but this week was their last. It was a good game except for the fact it rained the entire time and it was cold. But, we stuck it out and watched the whole game. It ended 6-0 them. unfortunately that meant the end for this year's team but they played well and to the best of their abilities.

Musical Practice has been a little stressful mainly because a few people don't have a lot of their lines memorized. The last few practices have been better and I'm sure we will have a great show next week. I really like this musical, it's A LOT more dancing than I expected but it's not too bad. I love the songs we get to sing. For those that know the musical, I am Benny Southstreet. I hang around Nicely-Nicely Johnson and I am in the song Guys and Dolls so that's really fun. I am looking forward to it being done so I can relax a little bit more but the show will be great!

School is getting insane. I feel like the junior teachers are after us with all their projects and such. I have/had a chemistry project, government project, English essay, Trig is always hard and this all takes place at one time. It's crazy. But those are almost done as well so that will be nice.

I've spent a lot of time on a very special audition. While I've already been accepted to the All-Star Invitational Marching Band I am also auditioning to play with the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America. For this audition I have to pick a solo under three minutes, (I chose the Haydn Concerto Mvmt. 2) play four orchestral excerpts that they provide, (Petrouchka (Ballerina's Dance), Mahler symphony No. 5, Pini Di Roma offstage solo and Pictures at an Exhibition), answer a question on camera, (I chose best musical experience and talked about the All-Star Band) and to write a short biological essay about what I want to do and how this experience will get me there. If I make it, I will get to perform AT CARNEGIE HALL and take a coast-to-coast U.S. tour with the orchestra and I don't have to pay for anything but the travel to and from New York.

I'm super excited for all of these things but I am always thankful for the support of my friends, family and the community. You all are the reason I am here doing all of these amazing things. I don't say it enough, but Thank You.

Magical Things are Happening...

Well, It's been a few weeks since I last posted on my blog so this is gonna be a longer one than usual because there is a lot to cover. The past few weeks have been....... interesting to say the absolute very least.

Firstly, Musical practice has been in full swing for a while. For those who don't know, we are performing the musical production Guys and Dolls. At first I was kind of upset with my part because he wasn't a well known part. I'm kind of like the lead's best friend. So at first I thought my character was just a shadow trying to be great but always being hidden. But this isn't the case, I'm the best friend that does everything with the lead. We have a duet, a trio with another character, and I have a lot of lines at the same time as him. So I'm in essence a lead, but I'm not labeled as a lead. My songs are also mainly the harmony in the songs which is a lot of fun. I love singing the harmony. And in the chorus songs, I get to sing either the high tenor line, or even the soprano line at times (in falsetto which is also fun) and it is very challenging because their aren't that many tenors there. We have a long way to go, but it will get there eventually.

Next, Marching band is going absolutely fantastic. Our sets are coming together, the music is getting better every day, and we are overall improving. Just in time too, as we are traveling to Baker University for a marching competition this Wednesday. It's gonna be great, we may be a small band but I expect us to get at least a decent rating. This competition isn't ranked, they just give a general score on how you performed. Our marching show is title "Family" and we play We Are Family, I'll Be There (I have a very small solo in this one), and Who Are You (This one is giving us the most trouble). The show itself is very fun and entertaing but Who Are You is so high and fast, and we aren't used to this caliber of music. I love the challenge, but it's precisely that, a challenge. I expect us to do well though.

While on the topic of marching bands, the best news I could've gotten came in an E-mail about a week and a half ago. I was accepted once again to participate in the All-Star Invitational Marching Band! The greatest experience of my life was coming again to offer me another round. I can't even explain in words how this experience changed my life. Firstly, I got to play IN FRONT OF 80,000 PEOPLE in the BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!! My heart was about to explode as I stood on the field waiting for the conductor to start us off. Watching all those people staring, watching, ready to be entertained, was indescribable. After we started, my heart pulse was normal again and all I could think of was all the practice and dedication I had that week being put to the test in our field show. It was a fantastic show and I'll never forget it. Secondly, the people I met. Some of my best friends were made in a matter of a few days. Our bond is unbreakable and all it took was a common goal. To be the best we can be. Shared experiences are one-of-a-kind, but to share an experience like this is even more rare. To play in the National Championship game with 100 other people you know nearly nothing about and only just met. That's not something everyone can say. I'll never forget how we sounded that first practice. We barely even said, "Hello" before we practiced and we sounded SO GREAT! The conductor just waved his baton and a wave of sound emerged, we were all in time, we played correct dynamics (for the most part) we all nearly had the music memorized and we played so great. The same can't be said for other bands I've played with. It baffles me to this day how it was even possible. I really look forward to doing it again, but the people I performed with in this band first, will always have a special place in my heart. We still keep in touch and I love it when we talk and catch up, even when halfway across the country.

Lastly, this weekend was also very life-changing in a very, very different way. Friday after the football game, (which we lost, but it was a good game) 14 others from my youth group and I went to Branson for the weekend to stay in a lakehouse owned by our youth pastor's in-laws. He drove us from 11:30 P.M. to 5:30 A.M. to get there. In the bus, we played Mafia, (card game) Sang 99 Bottles of Pop all the way through, played Pokemon and Minecraft, and stopped at Wal-Mart to pick up Pokemon X but only to be dissappointed it wasn't there, (we went to another Wal-Mart the next day and got it) and finally made it. We slept until ten, and after we ate breakfast we found out the reason we came. We had a general idea why, we knew it was to learn about leadership but we didn't really know what we were doing. We had sessions, discussions, and activities throughout the day and walked through what type of leaders we were and how to apply that to our school, community, and church. I found out I'm very good at teaching and helping when it doesn't come to spreading the Word of God. Which I'm a little embarressed of. But this knowledge will help me to fix my flaws and to empower my strengths. We did other fun things of course like wiffleball, frisbee, more Pokemon, swimming in FREEZING pools, etc. but the main idea was to grow closer to God and to spread the Word, and His Love to others.

Well, this has been the past couple weeks in the life of Billy Hatfield, Band Geek, Nerd, and Potential Leader.

Marching Sets and Jazz Hands

The past couple weeks have been pretty busy, Last week was Homecoming and every day was a different theme. Monday was frat day (I wore a toga), Tuesday was Disney Day (I was a Sith Lord from Star Wars), Wednesday was Duck Dynasty Day (I was Alan Robertson), Thursday was Superhero Day (I wore a Superman Skin Suit) and Friday was Bluejay Day (I just wore Bluejay attire). It was a fun week and Friday night was the game. Everyone was hyped, but not nearly as much as I was. Not only did I get to cheer my team on in a game of football, it was the first game we had a marching set for I'll be There. I was a little nervous but I always am before a show. The team wasn't doing too hot but we still had hope. It came to halftime and the band executed everything just about perfectly. And I nailed my 4 bar trumpet solo for I'll be There. We may have lost the game at the end but it was still fun. There was the dance afterwards and the DJ was actually really good this time. In the past the DJ's have been average or terrible. I did my fair share of dancing until it ended at midnight.

After a few hours sleep, I got up at 6:00 for the Grains for Hope 50 mile bike ride. It started at 7:00 and I was filming the ride while riding on my bike. I was about two miles from Bern when I was too tired to carry on any longer. So I rode in the truck with my camera and filmed the rest of the ride. It was a beautiful day and the ride was a success. When we got back I noticed the back tire on my bike was flat! No wonder I didn't get very far. It was still a lot of fun and the meal afterwards was great.

This week we did a lot of work in band to clean the moves in our sets and to learn to play Who Are You (By: The Who). In our show choir (Infinity) we worked a lot on choreography and not as much on the singing portion. Choreography isn't my favorite part of the choir but it really needed work.

But the most exciting part of the week was the auditions for our musical, Guys and Dolls. I hadn't ever seen the movie or any productions of it so I wasn't sure what to expect. We did a lot of singing and acting those three days for auditions. I was really hoping for the character Nicely Johnson but with no such luck. My character is Benny Southwest. Not sure who he is or what he does, but he has a few songs with other characters so it will be fun regardless. That's all I have for now, keep on a lookout for the next chapter on the life of Billy Hatfield, Musician, Actor and Geek.

So... I'm Starting a Blog

Hello Internet and welcome to the first blog written by Billy Hatfield, where wonder and mystery awaits in every post. Ok not really but hopefully it's at least a little interesting. My life isn't all your typical high school teenager life, but instead is quite different from the stereotypical life of a high schooler, so if you think this blog is gonna be full of teenage drama, sap stories, and me complaining about homework (all the time) you may need a different blog to follow. Mine will be about a young musician working through highschool as a trumpet player/singer/geek.

For those who don't know me that well but want to follow anyway, here's a little background info. I am a junior at our highschool and have been playing the trumpet since 5th grade. I recently have been doing band camps (yes, band camps) and many other things to improve my talent, but I try to find time to watch Dr. Who or go out and play D&D (Dungeons & Dragons) with friends. I didn't have too many friends up until highschool when I joined the band and was mixed in with the upperclassmen. Since then, I've joined one of our school show choirs Infinity and have made even more friends. Music has been my passion for years now and will continue to be for the rest of my life.

I started becoming heavily involved in music a couple years ago when I attended our State Lions Band. I saw how good I actually was to some of those other trumpet players and realized I have a long ways to go to become a professional. And after I started focusing more and trying to hone my skills I auditioned for an elite marching band known as the All-Star Invitational Marching Band where I went to Florida and played at the BCS National Championship last January and after playing with so many wonderful people, playing in front of 80,000 people and realizing I enjoyed playing in front of a crowd that size, It really shed some light on what I wanted to do. I realized it's what I want to pursue as a career and this was one step that will get me there. So this blog is partially about my walk through life to become a professional musician or wherever life takes me in the path of music.