TubeNet

TubeNetters are remarkable folks. I've had many great reads from postings and learned (and re-learned) how knowledgeable and practical so many of the posters are.

I had the great fortune to attend one of Jonathan's concerts in "England's Green and Pleasant Land" on 20 June at the Corn Palace in Newbury. Jonathan is a consummate gentleman of the first order and certainly has no problem filling his Neptune. His sound was warm, full, always musical and left me wanting more. The Beenham Band members with whom I spoke reinforced my opinion about young Mr. Hodgetts' musicianship. I was fortunate enough to sit next to another tuba player and we discussed both Jonathan and his axe. (As always, the real ale was delicious.)

I promised Jonathan that I would post my pictures of the concert, but had not intended on being so tardy about it. As soon as we returned, I had some major surgery and then school started. Long story short, here are some pics of our Neptune and his Neptune. The good ones are not mine, the mediocre ones are.

David,
Thank you for posting the concert pictures and your kind words. Sorry to hear you have not been in such good health. It was really great to meet another of our fine TubeNet community and discuss horns over a drink

Pleased to see you have managed to capture the mute in use! I think Ellerby's Paris Sketches is the first time I have required with band.

All the best,
Jonathan

Neptunes are awsome orchestral tubas. I have one myself and I enjoy it very much =)

As regards the mute; that's the biggest I have ever seen! I remember when my college band did requisite tour of Florida (1970), I used a mute (several times) in my Miraphone 186. The kids in the audience would chuckle and laugh; so much so, that I almost started to laugh at one point.

The percussionist in the picture (with the mute) seems to be thinking, My God, that's scary!

Thank you for the post and pictures. I would truly love to feel the sound of that horn.

The euphonium player in the band said her young son does not usually enjoy coming to the Beenham concerts, but this time she had told him to watch the tuba in Paris Sketches and tells me he was thrilled by the mute - thought it was the best thing all evening

That mute has had quite a bit of use this year - also coming out for Strauss Four Last Songs, Mahler 1 and Stravinsky Firebird, plus Petrushka

It is enormous!