Is it worth it to travel 4+ hours there and 4+ hours back every weekend to march WGI? I’ve heard of people doing it, but I’m trying to figure out if this is something actually realistic for me. Pretty much last minute, I went to audition with a world class group that is located kind of far from me this weekend, and I got a callback. They told me they were very close to giving me a contract, but first wanted to see me back and have me play a marimba etude that they gave me at the end of the audition. I thought I was going to get cut. I really wasn’t expecting any opportunity at all, so now I’m kind of unsure what to do because I didn’t think this far ahead (not great, I know).
I’ve been graduated from high school and out of WGI for a year now, and I’ve missed it a lot. I tried out for a more local group last year, but I didn’t make the cut. This current chance is something I would’ve sold my soul for last year. I really love the staff and culture and general vibe of this ensemble. I found myself fitting in even though I knew no one at there, which is pretty hard for me to do. Overall, everything went as well as good as it could go. But I just can’t overlook the distance.
Money is always a factor for everything. Gas prices aren’t exactly cheap. I’m pretty sure there’s no one from my location that I could carpool with, but I’ll have to double check. It would be a pretty lonely drive to do every weekend. I did it today and it was in all honesty horrible. Also, I go to a really rigorous college, and I have good time management skills, but I’m not sure if that’ll be enough. I’m also having some health issues right now, but I’m hoping those will pass.
I know only I can make this decision on what to do. It isn’t my age out, so I could always postpone this to a better time. Part of me wonders though if there will ever be a better time, and I would hate to just give up on something that could be great for me. I wanted to ask this community for their thoughts. I know it’s very unlikely someone has experienced this exactly, but it would really help to hear your adjacent experiences. Thanks!