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Dear The Horse Show,

For the Horse Show I plan to present a short performance including a rehearsal
of myself playing the Last Post and Revellie. These two bugle calls of the
Canadian Armed Forces are played on Remembrance Day before and after the moment
of silence. As a trumpet player, I identify strongly with the performance of
these two musical pieces. Since high school I have been involved in performing
them during school assemblies on 11 November. When I hear these pieces played,
I always identify with the person performing and assume they feel similar to
the way I used to feel. To be playing something so critical during such a
sombre event makes the performer feel very tense. There is always a certain
pressure to perform beautifully, which makes the rehearsal of these pieces a
necessity. To be playing these emotionally-charged calls outside of their
specific context is very taboo. Yet, a performer must rehearse to be able to
perform well. My rehearsal as a performance represents my own struggles as a
trumpet player to identify a moment of remembrance gracefully and respectfully.

The performance will last approximately 10 minutes and will be prefaced by a
brief story I will tell to the audience about performing the Last Post and
Revellie. After the story is told, I will face my music stand and rehearse
these two pieces. I will gather my stand, music and instrument and then leave
the stage.

Thank you for your consideration, The Horse Show!