This past Saturday was the TCNJ Music Alumni day. This is an annual event that has been going on for the past few years, and it features performances by Eastern Winds, assorted alumni and some current groups at the college. They also give out distinguished alumni awards, and this time, they honored Mr. McKinney as well, in light of his 53 years and counting of teaching at TCNJ. They held a small reception for him after the other performances and we put together a clarinet choir to play for him. He was really touched by that and the statements people made about how influential he was in their lives. It was great to see- he's SUCH an inspiration and he has given us so much. I felt so moved to see everyone say to his face what he means to them. It's so important to thank people for what they give us and not wait until they're gone, having to regret that you never told them.
It's truly amazing how on the ball he is- he seems not to have changed a bit since I graduated. He's playing like crazy, holding his students to the grindstone just the same, and taking on all kinds of interesting new projects. His passion for what he does is overflowing with his every move, and his studio still sounds awesome. It's incredible how everyone he churns out is such a great player.
I get so excited, happy and motivated at each Eastern Winds rehearsal. I love both Mr. Balog and Todd as conductors, the level of musicianship is outstanding, and it's a cool and weird sensation to be back where I went to college with some of the people that actually attended with me. It seems like a lifetime ago and it's fun to reconnect with the whole experience. It was surreal being back in Mr. McKinney's studio "talking shop".
