Which is better for tuba? Chicago or DC? -- Update

[Dan Schultz]

One of the best (and nicest) tuba players I know is Ron Keller... director of The Naperville Community Band (a suburb of Chicago). Send me a private email and I'll give you his phone number. I'm sure Ron could give you full information about music in Chicago.

[The Big Ben]

Another PLUS for Chicago is that there are some very fine teachers there as well as a not too bad pro band called the CSO to listen to. There is also plenty of great pizza and beer..............

I thought good pizza only came from NYC?
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What is that? It looks like a piece of the side of a cardboard packing box, coated in melted grease with some ketchup on the top.

[tuba_hacker]

I was going to disagree with Rick Denney (a marginal proposition to begin with...) but then after recollection, most of the tuba players I've met subbing in the two orchestras I play in have been - surprise! - military musicians. Having said that, however, I continue to find out about new (to me) orchestral ensembles. I can't help but believe an enterprising and enthusiastic person would have many chances here.

That includes tuba players.

[Rick Denney]

I was going to disagree with Rick Denney (a marginal proposition to begin with...) but then after recollection, most of the tuba players I've met subbing in the two orchestras I play in have been - surprise! - military musicians. Having said that, however, I continue to find out about new (to me) orchestral ensembles. I can't help but believe an enterprising and enthusiastic person would have many chances here.

That includes tuba players.

I perused Dean's excellent list, and all the orchestras had a tuba player listed. In all cases, the tuba player was a grown-up and seemingly pretty well established, yet not quite ready to depart from this earth. If there are, say, six amateur orchestras in the region, then that's six positions, each of which might present an opportunity once every few decades.

So, some chance, yes. But not many. I think you'll find that consistent with how I described it.

Rick "noting that drive times around here are no shorter than in Chicagoland" Denney

[sloan]

Well, not to ignite a pizza war, but I would certainly miss the pizza in NY. Deep dish is fine, but give me a good ol' foldable slice and an irresponsible amount of napkins and I'm good to go.

Foldable is good (and there's no question that NY pizza is "pizza" and Chicago-land stuff is an excellent meal - but it's not "pizza") - but I prefer the John Travolta method of eating pizza. Call it "Brooklyn-style".

[sloan]

Delivery or Digiorno ?

Ralph's
Franklin Ave
Nutley, NJ

pick-up only. they don't deliver. they don't have to.

[Bob Kolada]

Jack's. Screw that fancy stuff!
Or make your own, if you know what you like and have some patience this is the way to go.

[chronolith]

Ah . . . yes. Thanks. Do they still rehearse at Merit School of Music?

CMSO do indeed rehearse at Merit.

Having lived in both Chicago and NYC, I am curious what east coasters would think about a Lou Malnati's style pizza. Gino's is of course great stuff. And while Uno's was born in Chicago, they have chains across the country that I do not believe properly represents Chicago style pizza.

Best pizza-by-the-slice I had was actually at a little place on Washington street in Hoboken, NJ. Something about the spices they use in the sauce. Employees spent the whole time shouting at each other in various accents. I loved that place...

[bort]

Quick update -- I declined the job offer.

It was a good offer and a good position, but the company decided it could only be located in DC. And we really just didn't want to move to DC (totally not the right place for us).

Thanks everyone for all the posts and emails!

[njh@bandsman.co.uk]

>

A few more DC area community groups:

Don't forget the Rockville Brass Band - http://www.rockvillebrassband.org.

-Nigel