TubeNet

I will chime in first, I guess.

First of all, what a treat it always is for me to come and see so many of my friends, both old and new, and to meet more people off of TubeNet. Sometimes, I think I forget how lucky we are to not have to deal with other musicians, and just how cool most tuba players are.

There were many great performances by all the performers, but I think the two highlights for me were:

1) Fritz Kaenzig and Phil Sinder's recital was simply amazing. I'd never heard either player before in person, and I was floored away by both of these gentleman's playing.

2) The Grand Concert. I really enjoyed every single piece, player, and performance on this concert. Demondrae Thurman and Tom Gibson's performance were fantastic, and the fun that both had on stage was great. Mike Dunn is another player that I enjoyed hearing, and the Jager is a piece that isn't performed enough.

Scott Mendoker, for me, was the highlight of the evening. Simply because of the really musical, beautiful color changing sound that he used through the Curnow. I was amazed at the sound he was making on that tuba.

Jason Ham's ability to play musically and technically at the same time is something that most players cannot do. The Cosma was a great piece that fit him well. Finally, David Zerkel was once again the consummate musical, beautiful player that he always is when he picks up the tuba.

There were many great things in the exhibits, the new Jon Sass mouthpiece is great, Mike Finn's new mouthpieces were very nice. I enjoyed playing some great 6/4 CC tubas, including David Fedderly's Yorkbrunner and Alan Baer model CC tubas.

All in all, another fantastic year at the USABTEC.

Scooby Tuba wrote:So, if you went, waddya hear, waddya like, waddya try, waddya buy???

Well, let's see...

I heard that Mike Lynch bought two more tubas.

I like the Baer CC that Dave Fedderly brought. Orgasmic may be too strong a word, but not by much. His Yorkbrunner was much like my memory of the Yorkbrunner that I played at the ITEC in '86 or so, when it was held in Austin. That one was also an early handmade model. I remember it being effortless, within the context of my extremely limited abilities, and far moreso than any Yorkbrunner I've played more recently. Dave's 'brunner of the same vintage is also effortless, within the context of my slighly less limited abilities. But the Baer has that little bit more zip. After playing it, Dave and I looked at each other, and said, in unison, "It's better than the Holton." Much.

For the first time, I tried a 5/4 Rudy CC on offer by Lee Stofer, and I also liked and heard it played by its most deserving new owner. I could not be more pleased. Hopefully, he'll tell us more about it once Amtrak completes its work.

And, finally, I bought a Martin BBb 4/4 tuba that is made of fiberglass. It has the highest ratio of goodness to appearance of any tuba I have ever played. Yes, the fifth partial is, well, really flat. Yes, it's held together--literally--with hose clamps. Lee Stofer's quote: "It's one of the better gigging horns I've played--it's disgusting, of course--but it plays and sounds surprisingly good"

It was owned and played regularly in a community band by an ex-Navy Band great Lenny Jung, who reportedly played it next to a youthful Matt Walters. Mr. Jung is still with us, but this is still the ultimate tuba for an elderly tuba player, which he was even when Matt was youthful. It is light and remarkably easy to blow, with a .690-bore sousie valveset and a short-fat body leading to a 20" bell. Think Conn 56J. No--think of a papier-mache sculpture of a 56J. It was admired (from a safe distance) by Marty Erickson, who did not give me permission to say so.

Properly camouflaged, it would serve on just about any gig where its three valves wouldn't be too limiting. Proper camouflage is not one of the lesser challenges. It is currently spray-painted gold. From a distance of 20 feet, it was nearly indistinguishable from the satin brass 56J, in terms of size, shape, and beauty. I knew there was a reason I didn't like satin brass. Maybe with aluminum paint it will look like satin silver.

Mike Lynch's response was, "Have you no shame?"

No, I don't.

Oh, and Steve Dillon fined Mark Chalabala and I a dollar each for excessive conversation during the exhibit. That was before the missing tuba, which was the one blight on the day.

Rick "with plans in the offing" Denney

In addition to all the performances Andy listed, I would also recognize:

Derek Fenstermacher's (sp?) performance of Sisyphus with the Alabama tuba/euphonium ensemble - he pretty much rocked. That guy is going places.

Matt Tropman's performance of the third mvt. of the Linkola with the Army orchestra. Damn.

Can't wait for next year!
- Jamie

Scooby Tuba wrote:

Rick Denney wrote:And, finally, I bought a Martin BBb 4/4 tuba that is made of fiberglass.

Mr. Rick, I hope you find time to share some pictures of this horn in the near future. Sounds very interesting!

In this case, a picture is worth less than a thousand words.

But I think it's safe to say that when the time is right, there will be pictures.

Rick "thinking great art sometimes requires patience" Denney

Highlight of the conference for me was away from it, lol. Being my first time in DC and all, one of my friends and I went downtown all day Friday after our performance that morning so that I could get the one-day tour. Amazing. As far as the conference went, I thought it was wonderful. Mr. P's masterclass I thought was one of the most musically stimulating sessions I've ever sat in on. And the grand concert that evening was full of amazing performances, but I must say that Jason Ham was absolutely stunning!

Aside from all that, I was a bit disappointed that Besson didn't have one of the new Prestiges on site. Or maybe they did and I just didn't ask the right person. Anyways, I've been real curious to try one since one of Steve's students told me about them last month. Oh well.....

Great conference, great city, great evening hangs, and great musicianship - I can't wait until I get to go back again!

The UG Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble doing "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen as arranged by a fellow member .

I know Mike Lynch bought ONE, for sure: the York conversion Matt had at the Dillon booth. I was bummed b/c I wanted to try it.

I DID buy the 2157 prototype Matt built for MW. That horn is something special.

I was absolutely FLOORED by Demondrae Thurman's performance in the grand concert. I have never, never, N-E-V-E-R been so impressed by a euphonium performance in my life. That guy rocks my world, plain and simple.

JCalkin wrote:I know Mike Lynch bought ONE, for sure: the York conversion Matt had at the Dillon booth. I was bummed b/c I wanted to try it.

I did try it and you are right to be bummed.

Rick "who also noticed a certain mid-60's Miraphone also following Mike out the door" Denney