You'er preachin' to the choir, Romey. I agree with you.
I got the last laugh on Dave, though. With all three of my Monette horns (a C, Bb, and Eb, I sold them for twice what I paid for them. (I got them in 1988-1989)
I do practice yoga and meditation, which i don't feel gets in the way of my religious beliefs. I think is helpful to all of me, not just my trumpet playing.
By the way, you guys may want to keep an eye on the upcoming second trumpet auditions in the Baltimore Symphony. The current principal one his audition on a Bach, then switched to a Monette after he got the job.
The auditions could be interesting..........
Mike