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In this archival episode of the Tuning into Tomkins Orchestra's podcast (from 2024), we welcome Tompkins' graduated senior Mr. Jake Jeong, a four-time region orchestra qualifier and three-time all-state musician.

Jake joins the host and co-host Vicki to tackle one of music's toughest challenges: performance anxiety and choking moments during high-stakes auditions. Jake admits that nervousness is a natural feeling when you care about something, but he shares how focusing on the shared feeling of nervousness among competitors can alleviate stress.

Learn Jake's philosophy for turning nervous energy into "excellent" music. He advises musicians to concentrate on the musical aspect, focusing on sound quality ("tone") and expression, rather than getting caught up in technical details like shifting. The ultimate goal is making music and sharing the joy of it. When performing, Jake focuses on getting that "juicy verd," stressing the importance of looking at the "big picture".

We also explore handling inevitable setbacks. Jake explains that when a mistake occurs during a performance, a musician must compress the "five stages of grief" into a single second and "move on," a concept he relates to the "fleeting nature of life".

Tune in to hear Jake’s wisdom; a blend of musical and life philosophy that applies not just to orchestra auditions, but to job interviews and other fearful occasions.

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Join co-hosts Vicki and Rithik for this quick catch-up episode, Generational Thoughts, as they reflect on how they’re doing and share their “big plans.” It’s officially October, the schedule is getting intense, but there’s still the rewarding feeling of being “proud of what you’ve done afterwards.”

In this episode, they unpack the whirlwind orchestra calendar, featuring:

• The quest for TMEA, Region, and All-State auditions
• Preparing for the Masquerade Serenade concert at the end of the month
• Rithik’s “a little stressful” senior-year college deadlines

They also recap the recent International Food Fest, debate the likelihood of a scary movie social, and even question the scientific validity of a 24-hour playing challenge (spoiler: breaks are essential).

Plus, stay tuned for the latest fine arts hall happenings, including news on the theater production Nevermore—a show about Edgar Allan Poe that just happens to need a viola player. And, of course, there are callbacks to past episode favorites like “matcha men” and “comparative men.”

Don’t miss Vicki and Rithik’s one-of-a-kind, delightfully off-track generational thoughts!

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Join hosts Vicky and Rithik as they welcome special guests Fiona and Andrew for a hilariously winding recap of the Tompkins High School Orchestra's social events! This episode dives into the behind-the-scenes antics and memorable moments from the Post Rally, Buddy Social, and Car Wash, with a sneak peek at upcoming events like the International Food Fest, Pie Day, Halloween Social, and White Elephant.

Listen in as they recount the chaos of the Poster Rally with "too many posters" and "really, really long paper" creating a planning nightmare. Discover the incredible artistic talent of the orchestra, from Aimee's detailed Superman poster to The Batman-themed cello poster, and the clever wordplay behind the "Sin Bunny" Sinfonia poster.

The Buddy Social gets a full breakdown, including Andrew's "drill sergeant" loyalty tests during the "Lifeboat" game, and the surprisingly popular fidget spinners given as prizes. Hear their proposals for future calm games, like a never-ending Uno tournament, though not everyone agrees on that vision!
The high-energy Car Wash provides some of the episode's biggest laughs, from Rithik "hogging the hose" and spraying everyone, to Andrew's infamous sunburn incident and the hosts debating if water causes sunburn. Tune in for all that and much more!

This episode promises to be, as the hosts declare, "the most on track episode we've had so far" – full of fun, insights, and perhaps a few new definitions!