ITEA Midwest Competitions

[Mike Forbes]

Greetings all,

Here is the information regarding the competitions that will be held at the ITEA Midwest Regional Tuba/Euphonium Conference at Illinois State University (Bloomington-Normal, IL) on Feb. 17-19, 2005.

I believe this is the only regional that will have competitions with prize money, and since there hasn't been a local competition for a while (besides Falcone), I hope there is a lot of interest in this. These competitions are open to non-professional tuba and euphonium players of all ages and from any nationality. There will be a tuba/euphonium quartet competition judged by the Sotto Voce Quartet, an interactive Mock Orchestral Tuba Audition Competition (realistically judged by principal orchestral players who DO NOT play the tuba) and an interactive Mock Military Band Euphonium Audition Competition (judged by current and former D.C. Military Bandsmen). Details about the competition, including repertoire, prizes, and application fees are listed below.

Also, as more information becomes available (suggested hotels, restaurants, etc.) it will be posted via a link on the Illinois State School of Music webpage: http://www.arts.ilstu.edu/music/

I look forward to seeing you all at MWRTEC!!

Mike Forbes
MWRTEC Conference Host

MWRTEC COMPETITION INFORMATION

All rounds will take place live at MWRTEC. Applicants must have an active membership of ITEA at the time of the competition (Feb. 17-19, 2005). Competitors must submit a registration fee ($25 for ITEA members) along with a competition fee ($25 per mock audition participant or $40 per quartet) no later than December 30th, 2004 to the address below. Make your check or money order payable to “ISU School of Musicâ€

[CrappyEuph]

The mock euphonium audition sounds like an opportunity too good to pass up. Are players permitted to compete at an ITEC conference outside of their region? I'm in Texas so I'll be going to Texas Tech in January, but I'd like to go to MWRTEC as well.

- Jamie

[Mike Forbes]

Jamie--thanks for your question....certainly, ALL folks from other ITEA regions are invited to participate in the competitions. I tried to summarize that with my statement "Non-Professional players from any age and nationality may apply."

Hope to see you there!

Mike[/quote]

[KevinYoung]

Age Limit? Just curious.

- Kevin

[Mike Forbes]

"Non-Professional players of any AGE and nationality."

Hope you can make it.

Thanks,
Mike

[KevinYoung]

Just wanted to make sure that I read it correctly.

Thanks,
Kevin

[KevinYoung]

Just wanted to make sure that I read it correctly.

Thanks,
Kevin

[CrappyEuph]

How about this one:

Does "any combination of tubas and euphoniums" mean that I can bring a euphonium quartet, or do groups have to include both instruments?

[Mike Forbes]

I think you will find that some of the repertoire makes a euphonium quartet prohibitive. I wouldn't say the same for a 4-tuba quartet...I heard some 4 tuba quartets in Budapest play some of my stuff written specifically for 2 euphs and 2 tubas that truly blew my mind. Cosmic Voyage in particular has a bit of a beasty 2nd tuba part--but if one were to feel 4 euphs could do it--it's perfectly allowable. I know already of one quartet of 3 euphs and 1 tuba that are entering the competition. I also know of a quartet with 1 euph. and 3 tubas that are intending to attend.

Hope this helps,
Mike

[Guest]

What are the requirements to participate in the Saturday morning masterclass?

[Mike Forbes]

The winner and runner-up (and maybe a third player) from the Mock Orchestral Tuba Competition (held on Friday, Feb. 18th,. 2005) will perform for Gene on Saturday. To be eligible to perform on the Sat. Morning masterclass you will have to participate in the Mock Orchestral Tuba Competition (and be selected as the winner or runner-up).

Hope this answers your question...I'm not sure if this was what you were getting at.

Thanks,
Mike

[Guest]

No, I mean just to be able to attend the masterclass. I assume that I would have to pay the basic 25 dollars for ITEA members. Please clarify.