TubeNet

It was good to finally get to meet a few tubenet citizens face to face. I played every tuba I could get my hands on and walked away with a shiny new Miraphone 186 to round out my collection. Of course, seeing Øystein Baadsvik live was unbelievable.
All around, a very good time.

Tracy Bedgood

It really was a great conference.... so may great musicians, people and friends. I also thought that there were some great exhibits/dealers there this year.
Epsecially Ivan Giddings with his line of GW mouthpieces. (yes I bought one- which may soon increase to two) He really was incredible to deal with, willing to take the time to talk to everyone who had questions. He deserves a lot of credit for knowing how to do business the right way.
Another vendor who always takes the time with people is Lee Stofer... another classy guy who takes the time to understand you and help you in whatever way he can.

Of course the personnel of the US Army, Army Band and the rest of the armed forces showed the class and demeanor we have all come to expect. I really can not imagine any other organization running something this unique so well.
There was a comment that caught my ear at the Grand Concert made by Col Gary Lamb - who said something to the effect that " we need to keep this thing going" and as an observation to his comment I was a little surprised by the number of people in attendance. Is it me or did the numbers seem to be down a bit this year?? I know that the number of service men and women certainly seemed to be not what it has in the past, especially from other countries.

Sean, Could you perhaps shed a little light on this ? I am sure you know far more than most and I do not want to be hypothesizing an answer.

I really hipe that this is just one of those typical up and down things...and that with a little time the numbers will continue to grow.

JayW wrote:Sean, Could you perhaps shed a little light on this ? I am sure you know far more than most and I do not want to be hypothesizing an answer.

There did appear to be a lower turnout this year than last, didn't there?

One possibility could be that folks from bands around the country are currently deployed(Iraq, Afghanistan) or unable to travel to Washington because of the war. As far as the Grand Concert attendance- weather was a factor I'm sure. Just say the word "snow" and DC goes into panic mode.
As I posted earlier, great work Army Band!

Yeah...the current political climate internationally I guess would have something to do with that....and the Snow I am sure kept a few away.... but still......I remember but a few years ago that Both the main hall was full as was Loboda studio full.....this year they did not even have to bring in an extra chair..... I hope I am just worrying about nothing. Hopefully if enough people chime in on their view of the conference it will get those who did not venture out to reconsider for next year.

I want to thank COL Lamb, Jack Tilbury, Ross Morgan, Sean Chisham, Don Palmire, and all the unnamed others who make this Conference a reality each year. The players were just remarkable. Mr. Baadsvik is richly deserving of all compliments he received, a truly amazing player.

I also want to thank all the Conference participants who showed their support to the exhibitors. I would recommend this conference to those out there who have not attended, as it offers a unique blend of opportunities to the participants. The numbers were down this year, but the quality of the Conference was as good as ever. I hope that by next year, our military will not be as taxed as it is right now, and that we'll see more of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen there.

It was good to put more names and faces together this year. I had heard of Albert, the repair technician at Baltimore Brass, and had seen some of his good work, but it was great to get to finally meet him in Washington. I met Ivan Giddings and tried out his titanium mouthpieces, which felt like a cross between a Kelly and a metal mouthpiece, very light, but still metallic. I will probably buy a Diablo, unless I can get him to make me a larger one ;^)