Posted by Joe S. on January 18, 2001 at 00:42:16:
In Reply to: braces coming off posted by tubanator on January 17, 2001 at 23:15:49:
A french horn student who I think is graduating from Juilliard this year, Brad Gemeinhardt, was always a very hard-working and determined student here in the Memphis area. In the 9th grade, he made fourth chair (very good) in the West Tennessee junior high division. After that, his braces were removed. The next year when he was in the SENIOR high division, he was judged first chair West Tennessee and first chair All-State. The following two years, he was principal horn in the Interlochen Academy Orchestra.
Look forward to getting off those braces, and don't worry about the timing. NO opportunity seems to come at "just the right time", you will discover. Competitions are important, but from watching Brad, playing with braces is like running with weights on your legs. Get those things off and "soar".
Good luck!