How do you feel about birthday rehearsals?
Time was, I low-key resented rehearsals scheduled on my birthday. Shouldn’t there be some bylaws about leading rehearsals on your birthday?
That’s not how I feel now. First, I deeply love making music with my ensembles; my birthday doesn’t change that. Second, I love the moments when an ensembles might surprise you with the birthday song or some other celebration. It’s always touching. Third, and not least, I don’t think anyone should have an automatic “get out of rehearsal” pass for their birthday, and that goes for me, too.
It’s a privilege to make music with like-minded musicians. My birthday is just another chance to do it.
(I’m aware that it’s a privilege to think about this – I regularly have rehearsals just three days a week, so I don’t always have a rehearsal on my birthday; other teachers work five days a week, so it’s much more common.)