Nick Hoffman's Music & Gigs Info

      I started playing trombone back when I was in 5th grade. I remember the band instructor bringing instruments into our classroom, but we weren't allowed to play them right away. Later, when we were brought to "the band room" (really the stage), we were given the opportunity the play on the mouthpieces to different instruments (with proper cleaning in between each student). As Mr. Finch (the music instructor) handed the trombone around, I felt that it was meant to be my instrument. I told my parents and soon enough, I had my first trombone. After moving to Lexington, I kept playing trombone and was soon moved to first chair. I was in the All District Junior-High Band my 7th grade year and found that experience to be a lot of fun. That same year, I was in choir and though then I felt like choir wasn't my strong suit, I still enjoyed the music and still remember the songs.

       After I graduated junior high, I went back to bottom rung, 2nd chair out of two trombones at Lexington High School. I auditioned for the All District Band and made it into the Honorable Mention Band.

       My Junior year, for the first time in 4 years, I rejoined concert choir due to some "helpful encouragement" from two of my friends. Also my Junior year, I participated in All-Conference Band in another trombone player's stead and decided to try the next year. For choir, I auditionted for All District Choir, and though I had a spot in the choir, was unable to attend. Later that year, I was able to participate in All Conference Choir and truly found a song that expressed my love for music. To continue with my Junior year, three friends and I took a mixed quartet, "Oh Mistress Mine, Where Are You Roaming Oh", in which we were given a II raiting, which is considered "Excellent".

       My Senior year, I auditioned for choir, and managed to be put into Chamber Choir, which is the "higher" choir of Lexington High School. Again, my Senior year I auditioned again for the All District Band, making 5th chair in the Honor's Band. I later auditioned for the All-State Band, but didn't proceed to the All-State Band. In February of my Senior year, I auditioned for All-Conference Band, making 1st chair in the Conference. Towards the closure of my Senior year, I auditioned my trombone solo, Concert Rondo K.371 by Wolfgang Amadaeus Mozart, earning a II rating, which is "Excellent" in solo standards. For choir, I took a solo to the District Festival, where I was given a "I-" rating which is considered "Superior", and given the chance to advance to State Festival, where I received a "II" rating. I was able to be a part of a men's sextet; we received a "I+", "Above Superior" and after we sang at All State Choir, we received a "I" rating.

      Now that I have graduated from Lexington High School, I wish to audition for several city orchestras so that I may advance my playing ability and to stay with music forever. I wish to attend the University of Central Missouri so that I may become a music instructor like one of my favorite idols, Tim Crosson, Allyson Crosson, or Mr. Steven Hunter. I wish to teach either Junior-High or High School level bands and/or choirs, while writing songs for fun or for other bands and choirs so that they may enjoy the gift of music as much as I do.

Concert/Chamber Choir

All Conference Choir: Junior Year

All District Choir: Senior Year

Solo: Senior Year; Rating at District, I; Rating at State, II

Mixed Quartet: Junior Year; Rating at District, II

Men's Sextet: Senior Year; Rating at District, I+; Rating at State, I

Concert Band

All Conference Band: Junior/Senior Year; Senior Year, 1st Chair

All District Band: Freshman/Senior Year; Senior Year, 5th Chair

Solo: Senior Year; Rating at District, II