Saturday, November 04, 2006

Website is up! www.danielpuckett.com Go to it, check it out, let me know what you think! Saturday, April 21, 2007 Decision/opinions wanted Current mood: caffinated So it's been a long time since I posted a blog. School and gigs have kept me super busy. I am about to have to make a super difficult life decision and would appreciate anyone's opinion/advice on this. Basically, if I don't get a full assistantship in the fall I can't stay and finish my degree at UMD. I really hate to leave, because I really like studying with Dale, and Gerry Kunkel is the man. Brad Linde has also helped out a lot and I owe him big time. But I was basically promised a scholarship or work study program, and was ultimately lied to my face about this. I turned down almost a full ride from South Carolina to study with Cliff Leaman and Bert Ligon, two individuals that I respect very much. I also turned down a decent scholarship offer at the University of Northern Colorado and Andrew Dahlke who is a fantastic player and teacher. UNC played at IAJE this year, and have a well respected jazz program. You can see why I am not happy with my financial situation here. I borrowed way more money this year than I wanted to and I am not going to do that next year. It would be one thing if I was slacking, not practicing, not doing well in my classes, but I am working hard. It may not be evident in my progress but I am. I feel like I have improved many areas in my playing, esp. jazz,doubling, and classical saxophone. I am starting to get a lot of students and gigs. I have gigs lined up all the way through August if I stay. I plan on taking doubling lessons with Ed Walters over the summer and jazz lessons with Paul Carr if I can stay here over the summer. That's gonna be jam up. If I can't get the money I am going to go back to GA and get a teaching job and teach for several (3 or 4) years until I pay off every penny that I owe and then go back to school. I am definitely going to get a master's degree. I am just afraid that I am not going to be able to keep up my playing, and I really love playing/teaching. It's my life! While there has been a lot of crap here at UMD, that I have had to wade through, I have learned a lot here, and feel I have improved, and I want to continue on that path. I am just gonna have to trust that God has a plan for me and will allow me to stay and finish the degree. I wouldn't even mind staying in the area and maybe getting established here. Who knows? Anyway, your advice/opinions would be greatly appreciated in this. Thanks PS If you don't own Barry Harris-Listen to Barry Harris, Stop what you are doing and go buy the album, it will change your life and your views on music. It has mine!