Don Little/Brian Bowman

bububassboner · Post by **bububassboner** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:24 pm

I'm back from auditions and wow, what an amazing school. I just couldn't believe how big it was. And how many students there were. The professors were all really nice and open. I auditioned for Brian Bowman, Don Little and Vern(can't remember last name but he is one of the t-bone professors). The only one I had to play scales for was Dr. Bowman and he was also the only one to do an ear test(played four notes for you to sing then played five notes for you to play back, got all but B). Went to The Tomato(to bad its closing) and had a great time there. I was told that I was accepted on tuba and bass trombone but haven't heard anything on euphonium(I was the first to audition on euph). I want to thank all of you for your imput on this college. Its nice to hear so many good things from so many people about UNT. And hopefully I'll get to meet some of you next year when I go there.(I would love to hear some more stories about the professors at UNT)

bububassboner · Post by **bububassboner** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 12:04 am

Why is it called "The tomato" now instead of "The Flying Tomato"?

SirCharls · Post by **SirCharls** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 2:02 am

I just spoke to someone at the Tomato (what is really embarassing is I actually remembered the number...sigh)

She told me The Tomato closes on May 15th.

HOWEVER, she told me that they are not closing, but they are going to be moving. They just don't know where yet.

I think we should consider having a hang for Tuba Alumni on May 14th (I don't think we should go on the 15th, because, trust me, it'll get weird...not just Fry Street Weird, but End of an Era Fry Street WEIRD!)

Any takers? Cuz, I could really go for a Monster Slice...

We could call it Low Brass Pizza Hang (shut up, it's midnight...)

Charlie O.

UDELBR · Post by **UDELBR** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 10:54 am

the elephant wrote:It was actually called The Flying Tomato Pizza in a Pan.

I'm such a pre-historic Dentonite that the Flying Tomato didn't even exist when I was there!

David Spies · Post by **David Spies** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 10:55 pm

Charlie-

I'd have to check my schedule, but perhaps Diane and I would be up for one last Flying Tomato Monster Slice.

Right in the middle of prime gardening, however, so that is going to be a little touchy

My mouth's watering already....

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:59 am

Ah yes... The Tomato. Good food, cheap beer! I will be back in Denton in early June for my lecture recital... sounds like it may be too late though.

Legend has it that the albino squirrel has passed on to animal heaven. Is this true? Can any current students confirm this tragic news?

How about that basketball team making it to the NCAA tournament! Go Mean Green!

Ed Jones · Post by **Ed Jones** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:15 am

The albino squirrel was killed by a hawk in October.

RSMorgan · Post by **RSMorgan** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 8:44 am

Ahhhh, the memories this thread brought back! And what a delight to hear from so many people from Don's studio, and to have so many names mentioned. I'll add, from the early days, in addition to those mentioned already: Mark Wolf, Brian Book, Danny Vinson (who's now Bowman's TF). And from not-so-early times, Joe Dollard and Marc Dickman, who were the original euphoniumists in the Dallas Wind Symphony.

Don's now teaching a second generation of student (Ed Jones's son)--what higher recommendation of a teacher can be made?

From Don and Ev Gilmore's relationship, I learned an incredible lesson about friendship . . . Was privileged to travel with those two from Denton to Minneapolis ITEC in Don's motor home--what a trip!

Richard Morgan

red0radio0head · Post by **red0radio0head** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:49 am

Hey Meixner!

How are you doing? I hope all is well in PA.

When are you coming back for your lecture recital? I will be out of state starting on June 14th-ish, but would love to see your lecture recital. Let me know.

Heather McDown

David Spies · Post by **David Spies** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:59 am

Richard Morgan -

Thanks for helping post other great individuals from UNT!!! I wasn't coming up with the names, but I knew I was omitting some fantastic people!

There are more out there, of course, so post 'em as you got 'em!

As for Everett Gilmore, I have a cherished memory. On a lark, Ev called up and said that he and Don were going to drive to Houston for a tribute concert for Harvey Phillips with the Houston Symphonic Band. Don had something come up so Ev was looking for carpool members, and asked if I was interested.

I was able to arrange it, and it was quite the trip. Ev had this 1970s vintage AMC station wagon with blankets in the back to protect his horns. We roadtripped from Dallas to Houston and back within a 24-hour period. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. The wisdom and insight about life that Ev shared was truly remarkable.

I remember that I ended up taking the photo of the Houston Symphonic Band with Harvey in the middle that ended up in the ITEA Journal. Ev had not remembered to share with me that dress was tux, so I had a suit for the concert. It worked out tremendously, though, because they needed a photographer, and I was more than happy to oblige!

The relationship that Ev and Harvey shared was truly remarkable. I remember a solo appearance that Harvey made in the 90s at the University of Oklahoma. Ted Cox had brought Harvey in to solo with the band. When Ev walked backstage after the concert, Harvey and Carol were bowled over--they immediately launched into old "war stories" about past times.

Ev had a way of just bringing about the best in everyone. A true gentleman.

More Don stories, please!!!

Dave Spies

David Spies · Post by **David Spies** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:01 am

That's right--Don has a Grand-Student!!!

JHardisk · Post by **JHardisk** » Tue May 01, 2007 10:11 am

John Rider wrote:I will always remember the night before a scale jury. I sure didn't sleep much. My fingers kept going over all the patterns, over and over again!!! And Wade, I fondly recall your first scale exam on CC. Priceless. And to this day; all major scales every practice session, and minors three times a week.

John Rider

I can vouch for John's scales at every practice session. I have heard him on many occasions frack all over the major scales and incoherently mumble through his minors like a drunken sailor.

And let's not discuss D major...

His inability to play scales has made up for my inabilty to read key signatures for 3 years now.

Together, we're quite a team!

Alex C · Post by **Alex C** » Tue May 08, 2007 4:02 pm

The UNT scale jury in the tuba studio used to be: all of the majors, all of the minors (two octaves) and all of the modes (played in Arban fashion). There was a minimum tempo, depending on your classification.

Listening to a whole studio of this is akin to having your skin peeled off in one inch wide strips, followed by a good salting. I don't know how Don has done it for so long.

I'm sure that a student of Don's will chime in with whatever additions and corrections need to be made.

Karl Hovey's "Don" is spooky good, he's actually better at it than Don is.

David Spies · Post by **David Spies** » Thu May 24, 2007 1:30 pm

The latest on the Albino Squirrel Memorial from KNTU:

http://www.kntu.com/index.php?option=co ... &Itemid=96

Enjoy!

David Spies

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