Don Little/Brian Bowman

[bububassboner]

I'm going down to texas this weekend to audition for UNT and wanted to get alittle info on the two before I go. More personal experiances, little things like do they get annoyed by lots of questions things like that.

[CrappyEuph]

I don't think anyone's mentioned it yet, but I believe Mr. Little is also a Regents Professor and therefore teaches all of his freshman and sophomore performance majors. The tuba auditions take place in Mr. Little's office, and Mr. Little and maybe one of the tuba TFs will hear you. The tubas and euphoniums audition separately.

- Jamie

[SirCharls]

I just typed a long reply to this and it got taken away by the time-out demon...sigh.

Let me try to sum it all up.

I remember auditioning for Don and for the College of Music at UNT. The experience was a good one, and I learned a little that day. It was my first lesson with a real pro tubist, and I felt like I had done a great job on the solo (Vaughan-Williams).

Don asked me some key questions, and after that, we played a couple of melodious etudes from something called Rochut. Hey, I had never heard of it growing up. I was not the best reader, but Don was patient and forgiving.

I also remember visiting the campus. Don took my Dad and me to lunch at the Texas Pickup (now gone...). I made it a point to get alot out of my visit by attending some classes, taking the entrance exams, and sitting in on one of the NT Symphonic Band rehearsals. I sat next to a frequent poster of Tubenet and we played "To Tame the Perilous Skies". good times.

Later, during my first year at NT, I sat next to him again and we were playing some other Holsinger piece, and he was sitting principal. I was playing so damn loud, I was getting looks from the Bass Bone player and this guy had to advise me to take it down a thousand... good times good times.

So, make sure you get the most out of your audition and College visit. Try to go when they are having Tuba-Euph choir, because that is probably a sight to see, that many tuba/euphs in one place. See if you can go on one of the days when it is okay to sit and listen to the One O'Clock play. It is amazing. Sample the local cuisine. Maybe get some pizza from The Flying Tomato...good times good times.

Anyone who has studied with Don has Don stories. If you have specific questions, feel free to email me. Try to relax at the audition, I know that is like saying "Don't think of the color red..." D'oh! But be at ease. For the record, I did not have to play any scales for the audition, but oh Nelly did I play em while studying with Don. "You know, (insert student's name here) there were alot of chips in that scale, it almost sounded like Chip's Ahoy! hee hee" sigh...sniff...good times.

Maybe you could sit outside the Music Building on the Bruce Hall side, and sit on the "Raul Rodriguez Memorial Bench" and play some Chicowitz (sp?) warmups...Good Times.

Charles D. Ortega
Acting Principal Tuba
Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra
Apollo Chamber Brass

[TonyZ]

I love it here and I am really glad I came from OHIO to go here!!!

...but we miss you here in Ohio!

[Karl H.]

I also remember visiting the campus. Don took my Dad and me to lunch at the Texas Pickup (now gone...).

Tears of sadness Some of the most satisfying meals I ever had. The chicken-fried steak will (literally) always be a part of me.

"You know, (insert student's name here) there were alot of chips in that scale, it almost sounded like Chip's Ahoy! hee hee" sigh...sniff...good times.

LMAO, but I do the Best Don Ever: is a Don-Off needed?!


"Actually, that bench was always known as the Karl Hovey Memorial Bench while I was there, except that Karl "ain't dead yet" and I think that our calling the bench by that name was creeping him out. However, I doubt that he would even remember that bench being called that. He sat out there nearly every day."

Tears of joy...

Thanks for remembering us old guys, Wade. Absolutely remember that bench and all those, indeed, good times. Not only did that bench provide an excellent place to practice (great acoustics, sheltered from the wind, no practice room fee, unobstructed view ) but you learned to practice like a performance, as you could be heard all the way to the Union and there might be a couple hundred folks on their way to class.

To the OP, you could not choose a better university to begin your studies. Go. See for yourself.

Karl (picture Stim-U-Dent in teeth, stroking chin) "You know Karl, you scored a 99.3% on your scale jury, but it wouldn't hurt you to do it again next semester—heh, heh!" Hovey

[Barney]

And how many of you were as idiotic as I was and got a practice room right on the same hallway as Don's office?

"I had to come by the office late last night. Were you practicing this etude? I heard a few things". Then the slaughterfest would commence.... often starting with the dreaded words, "You have a lot of POtential..."

[SirCharls]

it's old home week! First, Wade who is a regular poster, then myself (hardly a regular) John (hey man!) and Karl! I believe all we need is Raul Rodriguez and we'll have a quorum! we gotta get the old band back together...

We'll have to have him if we're gonna play the Stevens' Dances...

I yield (as I am sure we all will) to Karl. His Don impression is the best!

hey how about this one? Ev answering the phone (that party line that Don has) Haerle, Little, and Cox, this is Gilmore!

Thanks for this ride down amnesia lane!

Charlie O.

[Dean]

I lived a few blocks from the Texas Pickup... a little apartment on Louise St.

Not far from that little beer shack off Bonnie Brae that would cash paychecks--that place always made me laugh!

[Raul I. Rodriguez]

I'm going down to texas this weekend to audition for UNT and wanted to get a little info on the two before I go. More personal experiances, little things like do they get annoyed by lots of questions things like that.

I guess its time I chime in.

We all get annoyed by lots of questions and things, but if you can play your horn really well that's all that matters. We tolerate the barrage of questions because we know you care about your future. Ask away when you get there. Have a list written down and fire away. There's nothing worse than someone who has no clue as to what they want in life.

The mistake I made while there was not asking enough questions.

BTW, Karl, I thought "your" bench was behind Chilton Hall and "my" bench was the one facing the administration building???

And how many of you were as idiotic as I was and got a practice room right on the same hallway as Don's office?

I had practice room across from his office as well for several years.
I didn't really care what he heard I just didn't want to carry my horn all the way from Practice North or South to a rehearsal.

Thanks for all the reminiscences, guys!! GO MEAN GREEN!!':mrgreen:'

later,

Raul
******************************
Raul I. Rodriguez
Texas State University-San Marcos
Principal Tuba-Breckenridge Music Festival

[David Spies]

I lucked out when I had the opportunity to joint the UNT community. It was Eugene Corporon's first year there. I had no idea that he would be there that year. That Wind Symphony is an amazing experience!

But as amazing as that was, it was surpassed by the fact that there were 45 low brass students at UNT, and all of them COULD PLAY (well, almost all--as some might remember in the studio--they shall remain nameless to protect the not-so-innocent, except there's a few folks who might remember one legendary concentration jury!) Seriously, we were all supportive of one another, even though there was a bit of good-natured competition in such a large studio.

I was fortunate enough to attend at a time when I could get to know previous alumni such as Raul Rodriguez, Karl Hovey, Mike Fischer, Ed Jones, Gary Cattley and Gary Carper. I also got a chance to play next to John Rider--the scale man!--Charlie Ortega, Brian Morrissey (an amazing player), Marc Dickman, Brian Davis, Robert Pendergast and countless others who (I apologize) aren't coming to mind right now!. These folks, and I, were all the subjects of countless Don-isms in our lessons.

The Don-isms are the legacy, the heritage we at UNT all share. One other honored legacy at UNT was that of the great gentleman Everett Gilmore--see his story on the UNT tuba website and other places. Who has the Don and Ev stories--let's give 'em up, the ones we can print, that is!

Imagine a tuba-euphonium ensemble of 39, relatively balanced. We made it work! Brian and Don have three nicely-balanced ensembles now, the 7 O'Clock, 8 O'Clock, and 9 O'Clock. I hope they put them all together and have Brian work with the mass tuba ensemble--THAT would be amazing!

I also was at UNT when Brian Bowman was teaching adjunct before he joined the faculty full-time. The chemistry between Don and Brian has been strong ever since the 80s when UNT hosted the ITEC. It's truly remarkable!

Having known and worked with both of them, the studio at UNT is really an experience unlike any other, and it is definitely an honor to work with such musically and technically talented teachers and students. The cumulative experience of the teachers, the performance environment, the competition, the comeraderie, the legacy, and the fact that music is going on 24/7, inside and outside the buildings, jazz, classical, early music, PERCUSSION, you name it--it was there for the taking.

One can't help but to learn by osmosis as well. The cross-community interaction in a college of 1500 diverse undergraduate music majors along with the grad student community--there's few places like that (Indiana comes to mind, but not with 9 Lab Bands!) These experiences are special, and if you are up for the challenge, you will gain a tremendous amount of insight from attending UNT.

One Way-Too-Long post!

Chime in, other UNT alumni!

(Back to Bordogni!)

[ITEC '95--who remembers the pool, the dorm at Arkansas St--"Why are there all these skinheads in Evanston lately?" --and Matt Monroe's Tailgate Serenade on the Interstate?]

Dave Spies
Willson Tuba Quartet
Racine Symphony Orchestra
Marian College of Fond du Lac

[bububassboner]

Wow, I didn't know so many people here went to UNT. You guys have given me A TON of info and I thank you all for this. I'll be leaving EARLY on thursday morning and when I get back I'll post how it went. Thank you all again.

[CrappyEuph]

Has the 9 o'clock lab band always met at 7:00pm? I haven't been able to figure that one out...

It's fun to see people reminiscing about the school I currently go to - you should all come down here and play guest recitals and admire Denton's new rallying points for future reminisce-ers such as the Movie Tavern, the Chick-Fil-A (and the corresponding Loop 288 traffic jam), Tuba Valentines, the albino squirrel, the 1/2 inch of snow that closed every school in North Texas, the crazy guy who lives in his van in the parking lot, and a certain person who shall remain nameless but has built a glorious career jealously guarding empty rooms in the music school so that students cannot practice in them.


- Jamie

[Dean]

Who remembers HOOYAH!???

[Barney]

Has the 9 o'clock lab band always met at 7:00pm? I haven't been able to figure that one out...

I don't know if that is a serious question, but I will answer anyway. When the lab bands got a second rehearsal space (At some point in the 70's when the music building was expanded), they doubled up on some of the rehearsal times. The first three bands meet at their appointed hour, and then there is an hour (at 4) when the reading bands meet (There are actually, technically speaking, thirteen big bands at NT, but only nine performing bands). Starting at 5, the remaining bands meet, rehearsing simultaneously in two seperate rooms... the four and five oclock at 5pm, then the six and seven oclock at 6pm, and the eight and nine oclock at 7pm.

This frees up Kenton Hall at 8pm on for jazz recitals and various small group rehearsals. And allows people to have an evening job and still be able to participate in Lab Band.

[David Spies]

The albino squirrel is still there??? There was an albino squirrel at UNT in 1998!

Long live...squirrel!

Dave Spies

[Lauronie]

You alums might be interested that they are planning on tearing down and developing much of Fry street.

http://www.savefrystreet.com/

When we were dusting off the NT-ITEA chapter a few years ago, I was lucky enough to be able to go through some of the old files and newsletters, and it was pretty cool to see some of your names floating around.

I definitely wasn't given any condoms at Freshman orientation, though my roommate in the dorm wanted some, and was too scared to go ask, so I had to go to the health center with her and ask this little blue-haired old lady behind the pharmacy desk, who proceeded to whisk us upstairs and make us watch an hour long sex-ed video. In the end, she did give us the condoms.

I've never seen the Albino Squirrel, and I can't shake the feeling that it's a myth.

Did you guys have the PLAGUE of crickets and blackbirds every couple of years? They've had to shut classes down because of all the crickets, and Avenue C in front of the music building continuously smells like rotten bird crap.

[UDELBR]

Denton is a horrible little hole.

(ahem...) Some of us NT alums actually grew up in Denton (university brats, etc.).

[David Spies]

The Crickets and Blackbirds are part of the charm of Denton;-)

I have personally seen the Albino squirrel and have pictures somewhere. Also, if you check the archives of the Denton Record-Chronicle or the North Texas Daily you might find a file photo.

It is sad about Denton being "DEVELOPED". I think a great amount of development comes from preserving and celebrating your history. Apparently the almighty dollar reigns supreme. javascript:emoticon(':(')
Sad

It is sad--Mr. Chopsticks' abode is no more (with the Sawhandle doorknob!) and now it looks as though the Flying Tomato, with its awesome murals dating back to the (1970s? 1980s?) is also going to become dust. With the demise of Rick's Place (the original firetrap that hosted the lab bands and a bunch of AWESOME musical acts, Denton is fast losing its historical soul IMHO to Surburban Sprawl Syndrome (SSS). javascript:emoticon(':x')
Mad

The North Texas scene is still there, however, in the spirit of the people. Practicing outside against the walls of the practice buildings (if they're still there) or outside the Music Building-as Karl H attested to and that Robert Pendergast used to the hilt-really builds your sound concept and increases your performance confidence, as everything needs to sound good.

Dave Spies

[David Spies]

Back to the topic at hand, I use this philosophy about music. If you can visualize yourself doing anything else than play the tuba or euphonium and be happy, pursue that ALONG with music.

Many musicians are able to have professional (and busy) music careers while paying the bills with their other love (and alleviating the stress of living gig check to gig check). I know of a freelance clarinetist in my town that is a State Division Administrator 40 hours/week and also leads a 20-30 hour/week highly successful freelance music career. It can be done.

BUT, if you are the type of person that can't leave the car without waiting for that concerto or ballad to end, even if it means sitting in the driveway for an extra 10 minutes, then you may have found your calling. Plunge in feet-first and immerse yourself in as much musical activity (Both making it AND listening to it) as you can.

Part of that immersion should be listening to as many styles of music by as many different musicians as possible, including recorded and LIVE music.

Find a part-time job that immerses yourself in the arts (stage manager, usher, docent, box office, etc.)--that will keep your artistic side stimulated while building a secondary skill set that you can potentially develop into a career.

Ask questions of your teachers, your fellow students, older musicians, and professionals in the area. All knowledge is valuable, for you never know when it will come in handy:-) As you have read in the previous posts, this is particularly true at UNT.

Play with and without music to develop your ear--that is one area where both Don and Brian excel, but you need to have your skill set as honed as you can in order to take advantage of what they have to offer.

Come to the table with as much as you can in order to learn as much as you can--it's really a short amount of time while you're in college!

Above all else, HAVE FUN:-) Why else would someone work so hard if they are miserable? We use the verb TO PLAY with our profession, after all!

My 144-cents worth!

Dave Spies

[SirCharls]

I got Raul in trouble during my college visit.

He was the tubist in the NT orchestra at the time, and I sat in the rehearsal (just to observe) but I sat next to Raul. Of course, not having interacted with many tuba players of his caliber I was the little puppy dog to his giant Bulldog (a la bugs bunny cartoons) so I talked his ear off during the rehearsal.

Brusilow glances over at us, and notices me jawing at Raul.

Brusilow: Raul, who is that?

Raul: a student who came to audition today.

Brusilow: Okay, well You don't talk to him and you don't talk to Him.

good times...