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This morning I learned, (quite by accident) that my very first tuba teacher, Harold B. Strand died along with his wife of 54 years in a house fire back in May of 2005. Harold was the Principal Tubist with the Phoenix Symphony from 1950 until 1973. My 5 years of study with Harold began in the summer of 1972 when I was in eighth grade and lasted until I graduated high school in 1977. I kept in contact with Harold off and on over the years through letters and emails until my emails were never answered and I feared the worse as I knew his health wasn't good. Harold was a life time smoker. He would even smoke during my lessons. (Can you imagine?) I sent Christmas cards to his wife in Arizona and heard nothing in return. Now I know why. I spoke with his daughter today who still lives in Arizona and whom I've known since 1972 as she was a couple of years ahead of me and we both played in the Phoenix Symphony Youth Orchestra together. She wanted to get in touch with me about the accident, but everything burned in the fire, including the most beautiful 6 valve Alex C I have ever seen.

I felt fortunate from day one to study with Harold and I was told very clearly that if I didn't practice, I would no longer be his student. I had a lesson every week for those 5 years at Harold's home after school. He would spend one hour with me and I paid $5 for each lesson and that amount never changed. Harold laid a strong foundation of scales, Arbans, Tyrell, solos and later, orchestral excerpts; but mostly musical expression. When Dave Pack won the Phoenix job, Harold told me to go see Dave and work with him too. My last two years of High School I took two lessons per week, one with Dave and one with Harold. Dave is now teaching Harold's Grandson, Hal.

Harold wasn't a famous tuba player and his "day job" was teaching public school in Phoenix. Harold was a great man who truly loved the tuba and he clearly understood the art of teaching. We should all have that love for our instrument and for teaching others. I visited Harold at his home in Mayer, Arizona back in 1998 and his wife took a picture of the two of us together holding our Alexander tubas. I cherish that picture and have it in my studio at home. My love for the Alex sound came from Harold along with so many other things that have made me the man and musician I am today. I honor Harold Strand and what he passed so freely on to me. We all need to honor our teachers, especially those early teachers who showed us more patience than we probably deserved. If it were not for our teachers, where would we be today? Each teacher we encounter helps take us to the next step. Imagine how different your life would be without one of your teachers. Accidents happen and one day people are in our lives and the next moment, they are gone forever. Take a moment from your life today and honor your teachers for all they gave to you.
Ted

My first tuba teacher was Dr. Irving H. Cohen.

When I was in music school, I asked the upperclassperson euphonium players where they had learned their beautiful tone. It certainly wasn't from the trombone teacher that I was taking lessons from, with his "smile" embouchure.

They informed me that they had had real low-brass lessons from the tuba teacher one semester when the applied staff was tight. I requested a switch, but was informed that now that the faculty load was back to normal, only tuba majors got to study with Dr. Cohen. "No problem", said I, "I'll just become a tuba major!"

"Not so fast", I was informed, "You must first audition for a change of major and be accepted!".

So I worked my rear off, and Dr. Cohen, bless his heart, accepted my change even though I auditioned on an ancient Conn upright Eb.

Well, it turns out that while studying, and until he got his music history PHD, that he was a New York student of on Bill Bell. And no matter how much I progressed, he always knew more, and how to push me further. I owe my musical direction, my wife (who I met on a orchestral tour of Portugal), and so many other aspects of my life to the knowledge and humor of Dr. Cohen.

Irv wasn't a famous tuba player, either, and probably hadn't played for 25 years when I was fortunate enough to become his student. Not only was he a masterful teacher, passing on some of the greatest tuba concepts ever, but also a treasured friend, and I mean that in the best sense of the word, for a teacher that did not mix with students. When I could play something, his next approach was for me to play it perfectly with no warm-up, a carry-over from his New York studio playing days.

Sadly, a couple of years after I left school, Irv lost his life as a result of injuries sustained in an auto accident. I still feel that loss to this day, as I'm sure his other students.

No person has ever affected me as much, both musically and personally, as much as Dr. Cohen did.

Interesting thread...my first "real" tuba teacher was Ted Cox!

Thanks, Ted.