TubeNet

Hi everyone, name's Tom. I was a tuba player in high school. Now after a ten year hiatus, I'm looking to start playing again. I've enjoyed reading all of your posts on this forum for the past few days. Looking for a tuba of my very own now, and pretty soon maybe an instructor in Chicago.

Just wanted to make introductions, and say thanks to you all for being here.

Tom

welcome and enjoy!

and try not to take anything personally here....the folks are mostly nice, but sarcasm doesn't come through well in text.

the elephant wrote:Welcome back to the tuba, Tom! I hope you have located a place to do some playing, like a community group or something? Tell us about your horn - what do you have and what mouthpiece?

Locating a competent or even excellent instructor in the Chicagoland area ought not be difficult at all as there are a lot of great, young players there who are students and who could use the money and will be inexpensive enough that you can study weekly without any real financial pain.

What brought you back after a ten year "vacation" from the horn? And what does the shoveling part of your screen name mean?

Regards,

Wade

Thanks, Wade.

I work for the University of Chicago, and hope to get involved with the music program here. There are several instrumental groups that take in staff members like me. I've tried contacting the departmental secretary in the music dept. there asking about students or professors who might be interested in giving instruction, but haven't heard back from her as of yet. No horn of my own yet either, but I have my eyes on a few. Going to drive down to Indiana to visit WWBW and Leisuretime Musical instruments this weekend, and hope to come back with something shiny, if not necessity new. I'm currently buzzing on my old Bach 24AW, and a Schilke Helleberg I picked up more recently.

As far as why I decided to take it back up, recently at the museum where I work there was a concert by the Newberry Consort called Handel in Miniature. There weren't any tubists, as they specialize in traditional baroque instruments, but it made me remember how much I liked small orchestral groups, and how much I used to like playing. Also I've been listening to a band called Beirut that my friend Chip recommended to me that has a lot of brass backing. Here we are three weeks later and I still haven't shaken the urge, so I think it's time to press the button.

Shoveling is in the name because first and foremost I'm an archaeologist. For now, while I'm in Chicago, I'm in a museum, but I'm looking forward to getting back outside in the dirt full time.

Actually you seem to be from down where I grew up. I lived in and around Grenada, Mississippi for the first 25 years of my life.

rocksanddirt wrote:welcome and enjoy!

and try not to take anything personally here....the folks are mostly nice, but sarcasm doesn't come through well in text.

Ain't that the truth.

shovelingtom wrote:Hi everyone, name's Tom. I was a tuba player in high school. .....

Welcome, Tom! There is a load of information here. If you are looking for a community band in the Chicago area, you might have a look here:
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/c-m/messages
You'll have to 'sign up' to post but you will find a place to click on the 'links' page that will take you to a database of bands that is searchable by area. I'm five yours directly south of Chicago. If you're ever passing by, please stop in.

Hi Tom,

I am currently on leave of absence with The Northshore Concert Band, but hope to return after Christmas. 100+ members - half are music educators and the rest come from every walk of life. This is a very fine band and you won't find a nicer bunch of people anywhere.

After you get some chops back, you should audition.

http://www.northshoreband.org/" target="_blank" target="_blank

Take care,

Evil Ronnie

Thanks to everyone for your welcomes. I think I'm gonna like it here.


Tom

shovelingtom wrote:Hi everyone, name's Tom. I was a tuba player in high school. Now after a ten year hiatus, I'm looking to start playing again. I've enjoyed reading all of your posts on this forum for the past few days. Looking for a tuba of my very own now, and pretty soon maybe an instructor in Chicago.

Just wanted to make introductions, and say thanks to you all for being here.

Tom

Hey Tom, glad you're hear. I'm in the same boat. Until my bank account catches up with my lust for a horn, I hang out here and pretend like I know what these guys (and gals) are talking about.