For several years I played 2nd of three trumpets in a Christian back-up band at a very large 10,000 member church. It was a fun gig cause we all played off of lead sheets 90% of the time and we made up our parts. Only chance I've had the opportunity to "create" the music with other quality players. It was a solid band with good players in most chairs.

However, like most good things, they all "come-to-pass." As the band improved and became a bit of a "hit" all on our own, the insecure Leader of the Praise Team - the minister's wife - became threatened and began undermining us, giving us much less space to blow, quieting us down all the time, etc, etc, etc. It became a total burden and bore and the entire trumpet section chose a particular Sunday to play like crazy and then make a 'quiet' exit.

I miss it. It was fun, but I do have the joy of playing in a fine Big Band - we have great gigs and the 'hang' is a riot. But, I miss playing high-quality contemporary church music. Bummer. JP