Sunday through yesterday, I was in Miami at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) to join the Navy.  On the ASVAB (really tough aptitude test), I scored a 94 out of 99 possible.  When speaking to the job counselor, I got the chance to talk to one of the men in charge of the Navy Band about auditioning.  Then I was sent to the waiting room for a few minutes and called back in.  This time, however, they closed the door behind me and asked me to sit down for a minute.  Turns out that my score was barely below what was required to join a very advanced field and they asked me to come back yesterday for another more specialized test.  So I took that yesterday and was rather shocked by the results.  I scored 63 out of 80 - meaning I qualify for the Navy's Nuclear Program.  After careful consideration and consultation, I decided against it.  The NUC Program representative advised me to not sign up for it considering the fact I have a wife and infant daughter and I would rarely see them being on a nuclear submarine in the Persian Gulf or South China Sea.  So we're back to the original plan - Navy Band.

The audition will be tough.  I have to display technical proficiency and lyrical emotion on not only euphonium (my primary) but also trombone (the required secondary, my worst brass instrument).  Obviously, scales, ear training, and sight-reading will be involved too.  I'm not worried about the sight-reading, a little worried about the ear training simply because it's been so long, and I'm terrified of the scales.  I've done well with scales for my whole college career, but it's been a little while, my range doesn't extend as high as it used to, and I'm NOT very strong with scales on trombone.  And I need to have all these mastered before my audition, but need to audition very soon so we don't lose the car or house because finances are so horrible.  Need some major prayer here guys.  Thanks!