I stunk at solo's, but I did well in duet's, quartet's and whatnot. I played the trumpet from grades 5 - 12. (gawd... 8 years with that thing) I haven't seen my trumpet since I graduated high school 11 years ago... I painted it black my senior year just for something different. Oddly enough, it gav it a different sound. I played first chair from grade 8-12. It was fun. After learning it the first few years, I just honed up on playing weird, high and fast. By the time all was said and done, I was in 4 or 5 different types of bands... concert, pep, jazz, marching and duet's/quartet's at big events and competitions.
Another guy and I played Tapps (and echo) at about 40 veterans funeral's throughout highschool. After the first few, families would contact the school to get us two to play. It was sad, but it felt like we were playing for something real. It's the least we could do for those who fought for us to be here.