Way back in the late 1970s, I learned how to play trumpet. Like all people, I had my ups and my downs, but by about 1984 I'd become the 1st chair and lead in my high school's concert, jazz, and marching bands. I suppose I'd reached an average to above-average level of capability for someone my age. I got lucky when it came to band directors as my first two were both trumpet players first, and both had great chops, technique and tone. I learned a lot from them. As a junior in high school, I qualified for the Northern Kentucky High School Select Band after what I thought was a good audition. However, I had won eighth chair in a section of nine. (A week later I'd discovered that the head judge was from the high school with trumpet players that won 1st, 2nd, and 4th chairs. Oh well.) As depressed as I was about it, something very gratifying happened during my time with that ensemble. On about the 4th day of rehearsals we were playing something dark and orchestral-sou