Potomac International Euphonium and Tuba Competition
Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 6:54 pm
Hooray! Just got my son's packet on this. We signed him up nearly two months ago.
20 - 23 June 2006, at GMU campus.
This will be his second time here. Last year has the portends of a great disaster that might have cut his Tuba interest to zero. I missed the fine print on the announcement his 7th grade teacher had sent home from school and failed to get his music until less than 7 days before the event. When it came we'd never heard it. He only got about 15 minutes with the school teacher due to it being the last week of school, and she had no idea what it sounded like. So he muddled though practicing and the day of the competition. I was very proud of him for putting forth a brave effort when it was apparent he was winging it. Needless to say he was ready to leave as soon at the last note faded from the room (maybe even sooner). I did make him stay for the open sight reading class later that day, although he was certian that he'd be booted from the stage. In fact he was the only middle school player on stage, and only on of 3 players who weren't college age, adult, or a professional of some sort. By the end of the first couple of bars I could see him smiling around the mouthpiece and he spoke of that class for weeks.
He also got to see some great talents, and did receive recognition for participating and making 4th place. Yes, there were only 4 middle schoolers, but I was proud.
Last years occured around a weekend, but this year will be Tuesday - Friday. I plan on taking the time off (Military - I can do that and still get paid) to give him time up there each day.
I even signed him up for the Harvey Phillips Tribute. Being a non-tubist myself, all I know about him is that he is a big name in the tuba world.
This year we are hoping for better things. He's been taking private lessons since January and has had the music for the whole time. Mark Thiele (teacher) has been working on it with him most sessions and I think he is starting to play music and not just notes.
If any one else can get up, and you see an salt&Pepper haired fellow with a really tall son (probably wearing a USMC hat) say hi!
20 - 23 June 2006, at GMU campus.
This will be his second time here. Last year has the portends of a great disaster that might have cut his Tuba interest to zero. I missed the fine print on the announcement his 7th grade teacher had sent home from school and failed to get his music until less than 7 days before the event. When it came we'd never heard it. He only got about 15 minutes with the school teacher due to it being the last week of school, and she had no idea what it sounded like. So he muddled though practicing and the day of the competition. I was very proud of him for putting forth a brave effort when it was apparent he was winging it. Needless to say he was ready to leave as soon at the last note faded from the room (maybe even sooner). I did make him stay for the open sight reading class later that day, although he was certian that he'd be booted from the stage. In fact he was the only middle school player on stage, and only on of 3 players who weren't college age, adult, or a professional of some sort. By the end of the first couple of bars I could see him smiling around the mouthpiece and he spoke of that class for weeks.
He also got to see some great talents, and did receive recognition for participating and making 4th place. Yes, there were only 4 middle schoolers, but I was proud.
Last years occured around a weekend, but this year will be Tuesday - Friday. I plan on taking the time off (Military - I can do that and still get paid) to give him time up there each day.
I even signed him up for the Harvey Phillips Tribute. Being a non-tubist myself, all I know about him is that he is a big name in the tuba world.
This year we are hoping for better things. He's been taking private lessons since January and has had the music for the whole time. Mark Thiele (teacher) has been working on it with him most sessions and I think he is starting to play music and not just notes.
If any one else can get up, and you see an salt&Pepper haired fellow with a really tall son (probably wearing a USMC hat) say hi!