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He played with the Dallas Brass which then became Rhythm and Brass. The last BIG thing I remember about him was that he was a finalist for the Boston Symphony gig. I hope my facts are 100% correct.

His bio (from a guest appearance with The Austin Symphonic Band):

Charles Villarrubia serves as Lecturer in Brass Chamber Music at The University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Villarrubia is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana and a founding member of Rhythm & Brass. He received his Bachelors Degree in Music Performance at Louisiana State University, and a Masters Degree in Music Performance from Boston University. He has been a member of the Dallas Brass, the Waterloo Festival Orchestra and the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra.

In 1984 he was awarded first prize in the TUBA orchestral competition, becoming the first individual to win that award. In addition, Mr. Villarrubia frequently performs with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops Orchestras and has recorded with the latter of those ensembles.

A staunch advocate of student involvement in chamber music, Mr. Villarrubia has authored a chamber music method book called Team Play With Rhythm & Brass - A Guide to Making Chamber Music. The book gives the student and educator a blueprint on how to start and maintain a successful chamber ensemble.

He has also written articles on the subject and been a guest lecturer at the Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic and the Music Educators National Convention. Charles has premiered no fewer than five new works for the tuba, several of which he commissioned.

Mr. Villarrubia has appeared on four continents as a guest clinician and performer for the Yamaha Corporation and has recorded on the Telarc, Angel EMI, d'note, and Koch labels. Mr. Villarrubia has been a faculty member at Boston University, The Boston Conservatory, New England Conservatory, and the Longy School of Music.

suffice it to say...he's a stud...

Charlie is two words: The Man.

Those who get to study with him this summer are very lucky. He has so much knowledge to offer, and preaches all the right stuff in an extremely thought-provoking way. By far one of the best lessons i've EVER taken. Not only can he play his *** off, but the guy can TEACH. I wrote no fewer than 3 pages of notes in my lesson, and still remember the stuff we worked on nearly three years ago.

He's huge on the fundamentals. Ear, breathing, concept of sound, etc.
He also happens to be one of the coolest dudes I've ever met. If you have the chance to hear Rhythm and Brass check it out. They are some of the hottest **** i've heard!

-Christian

TubaTodd wrote:He played with the Dallas Brass which then became Rhythm and Brass. The last BIG thing I remember about him was that he was a finalist for the Boston Symphony gig. I hope my facts are 100% correct.

Dallas Brass did not become Rhythm and Brass.

Dallas Brass still very much exists and Deanna Swoboda is their current tubist.

Charlie ROCKS. I can't say enough good things about him.

I did my last two years of undergrad with him. A great talent, both as a performer as well as a teacher. On top of it, he's just a great person. He has so much to give; I have reams of notes from lessons. Hearing that he'll be there, I'll definitely try to get up that way. To those about to rock with Charlie, I salute you.

Adam

Charlie is a phenominal musician! If you have an opportunity to hear/study with Charlie you should definitely do so. He's an absolutely fantastic tuba player!

Mike Milnarik

chris combest wrote:

Tom wrote: Dallas Brass did not become Rhythm and Brass.

Dallas Brass still very much exists and Deanna Swoboda is their current tubist.

Correction. Yes they are still in existance, but Deanna recently resigned her position with them to assume another position with Western Michigan University. Dallas Brass is currently looking for a replacement.

I was unaware that she was leaving Dallas Brass, but I did know about WMU.

She has been with them for a number of years while doing a lot of touring and teaching adjunct at a number of schools. I believe she is presently at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. Thus, I assumed (yeah...I know) that she would continue with Dallas Brass despite the move, but the WMU job must be such that it will not be possible for her to do that.

chris combest wrote:

Tom wrote: Dallas Brass did not become Rhythm and Brass.

Dallas Brass still very much exists and Deanna Swoboda is their current tubist.

Correction. Yes they are still in existance, but Deanna recently resigned her position with them to assume another position with Western Michigan University. Dallas Brass is currently looking for a replacement.

Very glad to hear that Deanna's coming to WMU! Looking forward to meeting her.

ATLtuba wrote:I saw that this guys supposed to teach at part of interlochen this summer. Does anybody know who he is??

He's freakin' ridiculous. What a player... The educational and pedagogical materials he helped develop with Rhythm And Brass are outstanding. He's big time.

Villarrubia is hands-down the most musical tuba player I have ever heard, a truly inspiring teacher, and one heck of a nice guy. I studied with him for a short while, and he coached Triton a few times just after our inception...he helped us incredibly before our success at Fischoff 2003. I REALLY wish he was still around Boston, and often kick myself for not taking advantage of more oppotunities to work with him. The Interlochen students should be prepared for an amazing summer! Charlie was ALWAYS able to bring out my best playing, and I ofen refer back to my lessons with him when I teach.

"Charles Villarrubia's Vaughn Williams & cello suite set the precedent for the finals." ...NUMEROUS members of Boston Symphony's tuba auditions.

TubaTodd wrote:
He played with the Dallas Brass which then became Rhythm and Brass. The last BIG thing I remember about him was that he was a finalist for the Boston Symphony gig. I hope my facts are 100% correct.

Dallas Brass did not become Rhythm and Brass.

Dallas Brass still very much exists and Deanna Swoboda is their current tubist.
****************
Clarification:

Four members of Rhythm & Brass were originally members of Dallas Brass, but these members did go on to form Rhythm and Brass. Dallas Brass does indeed still exist, as has been mentioned in this forum.

David Spies