An Interview with Myself
This blog will be taking on a different form compared to my previous blogs. Most of my blogs so far have essentially been my just sharing information, but this time I hope to share a bit and give some insight as to why I am the way that I am (as far as I understand).
Like any interview, there will be an interviewer (AM) and an interviewee (am). The reason that I am doing this is because Training Camp was an absolutely amazing time and I had the space & loving community to be myself with, but my past is pretty relevant as to the way that I am today. So, without further explanation, an interview with myself.
AM: So, tell us a little bit about yourself.
am: I am a recent university graduate, from New York University, getting a Bachelors degree in Music Education, with a Concentration in Classical Saxophone Performance, as well as getting a minor in Religious Studies.
AM: Wow, that’s a lot.
am: Not really, it’s just a lot of words to describe some of what I did these past four years.
AM: Okay, so did you do anything else while you were at NYU?
am: Yeah, I was involved in The Navigators, a Christian fellowship group; the Muslim-Christian (MuCh) Dialogue at NYU; the All-University Gospel Choir; and numerous musical ensembles.
AM: That’s a lot.
am: I guess.
AM: You guess?
am: Yeah…
AM: I noticed that you said “New York University” rather than “NYU,” was that intentional?
am: Yes, it was. Saying “New York University” usually makes people think longer and delays (and hopefully prevents) the now expected reaction of telling me how smart I am, how expensive the university is, or asking me if I like living in New York City.
AM: Why do you do that?
am: To divert attention away from myself.
AM: Why? Being accepted and graduating from NYU is quite an accomplishment.
am: Yes, but that is not the type of attention I want.
AM: What type of attention do you want?
am: Recognition would be a better word, I guess. I don’t want the mini-bio people have of me to be- Angie Moore, NYU student. I’d rather have it be about being Christian, a missionary, a Navigator, a sister, a saxophonist, or even an Ohioan.
AM: That seems very humble of you.
am: A lot of people say that, but I don’t see it as humility.
AM: How do you see it then?
am: Just not humility.
AM: So, let’s backtrack a bit. You play the saxophone.
am: Yes, I’ve been playing for about 12 years now.
AM: Oh, wow! That’s a long time.
am: I guess.
AM: It is though.
am: Yes.
AM: What is your favorite song to play on saxophone?
am: Honestly, it depends on the day. In university, like I said before, I did a lot of Classical saxophone, so a bunch of music you have never heard before and probably will never hear. From my Classical rep, one of my favorite pieces right now is the first movement of the Muczynski Sonata.
AM: Why?
am: It’s just so raw.
AM: Raw?
am: Yes, the way that the phrases and ideas are constructed is very relatable.
AM: How so?
am: Have you ever been hurt before? Lost a friend, had a bad day, just needed extra space and alone time? Or just need some time before God to air all of your qualms about anything and everything? Now take that, and put it on a saxophone. It’s just so cathartic to play.
AM: Really?
am: Definitely. In my opinion, if you haven’t released some emotional baggage after playing it, you don’t understand the piece.
AM: Interesting perspective. Do you play any other types of music?
am: Yeah, I also play a lot of big band jazz.
AM: No way? That’s cool.
am: Yeah, it’s super dope. I love it. Oh, just for clarification, I play Classical alto saxophone and jazz baritone saxophone.
AM: Why the difference?
am: Part of it is to keep my musical worlds separate, even though that changed a lot in university. Part of it is I’m not the best improviser and there are some guys out there who could play circles around me if I sat in an alto chair. But, a big part of it is that I absolutely love the bari chair. It’s so cool to be a saxophone, a second bass trombone, and a second bass player all from one chair. Also, there’s a lot of unmentioned power in the bari chair.
AM: Really? Tell me about it.
am: Here’s a quick story. Last fall semester, I was playing in one of the big bands at NYU and we played a piece by a grad student. It was a bari feature, Toanin’. So in that case, I clearly had power because I was playing the featured instrument, however, there were so many times that my varied figures had to be so spot on that if I was half a beat off, I could have done some damage to the performance. There is another time, the semester previous, that I was doubling the bass trombone part and we weren’t agreeing on the rhythm. It took so many rehearsals for us to play the same rhythm correctly (mostly because I wouldn’t give in to their interpretation of the rhythm).
AM: Sounds like you may have some control problems, just teasing of course.
am: Yes, I do, but why let simple problems go unfixed? Especially if the goal is perfection.
AM: Fair point. Would you say you are a controlling person?
am: No, I would not, but other people would.
AM: Really? Why?
am: This is going to seem unrelated, but I promise there is a point. Do you know of the Myers-Briggs personality test?
AM: Yes.
am: Well, the last time I took it, I got ESFJ. So, according to that, I am extroverted, sensing, feeling, and judgmental. I gain energy from being around others; I learn things from being within different environments & situations; I’m emotional, and I’m Type A, I like plans, structure, routine, etc. However, I do have some Type B tendencies.
AM: Such as?
am: If I create a plan and reality doesn’t follow said plan, I don’t get upset about the plan not working. If my sisters want to go see a movie last minute, I’ll go to a movie. If I’m asking to take a chorus in a head chart, I will (and complain only a little bit internally).
AM: But, you aren’t an ESFX?
am: Nope, Type A forever. I really do find comfort in normalcy.
AM: And, yet, you are going on the World Race? Which, as far as I am aware, things could change at the drop of a hat.
am: Yup.
AM: And, you’re okay with that?
am: Well, I hope so. I did already agree to it, for the next year.
AM: Well, okay then.
am: One more thing, have you heard of the Enneagram? It’s similar to the Myers-Briggs, but it’s just a different test.
AM: Okay.
am: According to that, I am a 1 or a 1-wing-2. Meaning that I am a Performer (1), but also am a Helper (2). I’m “the Rational, Idealistic Type: Principled, Purposeful, Self-Controlled, and Perfectionistic” but also “the Caring, Interpersonal Type: Demonstrative, Generous, People-Pleasing, and Possessive.”
AM: Why is this so important to you?
am: I don’t know. I guess it just gives so much insight into how I function and a little bit about who I am.
AM: These are just standardized tests of a sort.
am: Yes, I am aware of that, but they seem to do a pretty good job of helping me put labels as to how I think and act, so I don’t have to create semi-arbitrary labels by myself.
AM: Makes sense.
AM: Is there anything else you want to share?
am: Just one thing. At Training Camp (for the World Race), I was raised to be a Storyteller Team Leader, which will allow me to tell my story and help others tell their own stories. This literally has been an answered prayer. For some time, I have been asking for the opportunity to have a platform to talk and be heard, but just as important to help build others up so that they can be heard.
AM: That’s incredible.
am: It really is. A big part of my testimony is just meeting and not meeting expectations set before me, giving me little space to have a voice for myself or to even know how to start figuring out what my voice sounded like. It took a lot of time for God to uncover some major core lies and for me to trust Him to tell me that I was not what the enemy said that I am or am not. And, the best part is the only expectation/requirement of this position is that I have to tell stories. Now how, or what, or when, or where; no specifics, I just have to do it. Which is scary and exhilarating all at the same time.
AM: Especially since you’re Type A?
am: Especially since I’m Type A!
AM: Well, may God bless you in this space of telling stories.
am: Thanks.
Prayer Requests
- Passing score for my teacher certification exam on Friday,
- Finding more those people who want to support me financially, and
- Courage to continue to press into the things that God has in store for me.
Praise Reports
- I am a Storyteller Team Leader,
- We are rapidly approaching $12,000 (literally doubted that this would happen for some time),
- God is a God who hears, answers, and provides from His abundance, and
- I love my squad.
