How about TUSAB T&E Conference Round-up?

[bort]

I played one of the Thors WWBW brought for quite a while. It was awesome.

Oops, I forgot about the Thor I tried there. Yes, it was quite a nice tuba! (but uncomfortable for me to hold!)

[kingrob76]

Did anyone try out the tubas brought by WWBW this year?

Maybe it was just me, but the 3 CC's I tried (Miraphone 188, Miraphone 1291, and MW 2155) all felt and sounded like there was a something stuck in the bell. I'm sure being in the elephant room doesn't help very much, but it was a bit surprising to me.

I thought one of the two Thor's WWBW had was decent. I thought the other one was not so good. I thought the Thor that Frank Ortega bought from Tubadome was really good, as was the Thor at Baltimore Brass. I played the 1291 at the WWBW booth for quite some time and thought it was a bit distant in its sound - felt like I was listening to someone on the other side of the room.

[Bill Troiano]

I'm still in a daze over my experience at my first Army Band Conference. I ended up staying at the Courtyard Marriott Rosslyn just 2 miles from the base. It's a new and modern, upscale hotel and only $99.00 . If I go to the conference next year, I would definitely stay there again.

Certainly, with no disrespect to any of the fine performers that I'm not mentioning, suffice it to say that I was very impressed with some of the well-known performers whom I've never heard before: Deanna Swoboda, Steve Dumaine, and Velvet Brown - all amazing performances. Pat Sheridan's performance with the Army Band was truly virtuosic also.

As far as the exhibit room, I'm in love with Matt Walter's Martin/Dillon CC tuba (not Matt Walters, although he's a great guy). It plays a lot like my 52J, but on steroids and with a better low register. The Nirschl at the Dillon booth was very impressive, as was the PT 606 at the Custom Music booth. However, both are a bit pricy for me. I played on the Thor a bit, but it is a little too edgy for me (as some others have said) in the low register. I really liked the 3/4 Kanstul tubas at Lee Stofer's booth. I like the concept of the screw bell, especially for ease of transport. They feel somewhat like the Yammy 621 CC, but with a better low end and with a 5th valve. For anyone looking for a 3/4 CC like the Yammy this another option you should consider. I liked them enough that if they were in the $5000. range, I would have bought one right there.

On a personal note, it was a pleasure for me to be able to hook up with 10 of my former Howard Hovey Tuba Day guest artists. And, I met several possible future guest artists too.

It would have been nice to be able to meet some Tubenetters. However, I did meet Rick. It was good to meet you , Rick and to sit next to you in the reading session. Best wishes, all!

[Rick Denney]

It was good to meet you , Rick and to sit next to you in the reading session. Best wishes, all!

I purposely set on the left end of the row so that nobody would be subjected to the sounds I was producing. Then, I noticed a chair and stand being set up for a latecomer. Yes, it was Bill. He paid a high, high price for showing up late.

But I was sitting next to Art Hovey on my other side, so at least I got to hear some fine playing.

Rick "thinking Bill wasn't so lucky" Denney

[Highams]

Got back in the UK yesterday from my first visit to the conference, great to meet up with so many people at last and here some amazing playing.

Thanks to Tommy Yandle, Mark Hill and their families for making my time there really enjoyable, to Mike Finn, Steve Barton and Dennis Askew too and to Joe Miserendino and his wife Dottie Lee in PA for the Sunday lunch and a chance to meet again since his UK visit in 05.

CB

[oldbandnerd]

While Charley Brighton was visiting here he graciously did two back-to-back,70 minute masterclasses for the band students at my daughters high school . Thomas Dale High School in Chester, Va. Here are a few pictures of the day .

Thank you Charley !!!





Charley played two pieces for the kids. He opened with Danny Boy with variations and closed with Czardas !! What a way to close !







Band Director Steve Barton and Charley .



Me,Steve Barton, Charley Brighton and Asst. Band Director Dave Holly

[Bill Troiano]

This is what I meant about meeting Tubenetters at the conference. After seeing these pictures posted by oldbandnerd, I did see and walk past him many times in the lobby of Bruckner Hall. I also sat across from Charlie in the lobby while waiting for one of the concerts to begin. Maybe, it's a New York thing. I just don't walk up to people I don't know and say, "ow ya dune?" With Rick, Art Hovey told me who he was, so I said hello. And, I even got to play next to him. Rick, you sounded fine to me. Perhaps in this computer age, many would like to remain anonymous. I would like to know who everybody is and say, "ow ya dune" to everyone. How about our faces a avatars on Tubenet?

On another note, in my previous post, I neglected to mention the post conference event party at the VFW. I had a great time hanging with Davin from Dillon, and Bill Rowe and his daughter. We had front row seats for the jam session, which really featured Tom Holz on his Eb helicon. Holy shith! Tom plays great jazz and it was a pleasure to meet and talk to him. Then, my buddy, Marty Erickson got up there and sounded great. We all know Marty plays great jazz. Kudos also to Harry Salotti and Marine Band euphonium soloist (I'm very sorry I forgot his name) who got into the jam session too and played great jazz. So what if I had to drive back to LI with a mild hangover. That's the first time I had a hangover before the Super Bowl.

[Highams]

Hi Bill,

Sorry we did'nt get a chance to meet properly, it's also a very British thing with our 'reserve' that comes into play when on new ground (lol).

I hope we get another chance again in the future.

Chas

[Rick Denney]

...and Marine Band euphonium soloist (I'm very sorry I forgot his name) who got into the jam session too and played great jazz.

That was Ryan McGeorge.

Rick "and yes he was fantastic" Denney

[Bill Troiano]

Thank you, Rick and likewise, Charlie !!

[TubaRay]

I had the opportunity to meet Charley, briefly, when I had just arrived at the conference. I had anticipated a chance to talk with him later. Unfortunately, this never happened. I regret this very much.

[sungfw]

Who bought stuff???

Anyone buy a tuba or euph???

Does this count: ?

[armytuba]

That's me in the back row.

[The Big Ben]

What's the line?

"Make unto the Lord a joyful noise"?

[kingrob76]

Cool Photo.

[geek mode] I wonder, if you took a census of all the horns on that stage, what would the breakdown look like? [/geek mode]

[tubasinfonian]

I had the fine pleasure of sitting beside Col. Rotondi Jr. and his wife during the Friday night concert (of which the photo from above originates) and the three of us were sort of marveling at the idea of how much money in tubas and euphoniums there were on stage. My guess was around $600,000!!

[Chuck Jackson]

My question is this: Did anyone get the "hand"?

Chuck

[armytuba]

Chuck,

Of course we (those reading the 3rd Tuba parts) got the 'hand,' particularly during the initial rehearsal. Star Wars called for low A's, G's and F's, at a ff dynamic, but Prof. Stevens kindly asked that we tone it back a notch. Yes, sir!

I had the fine pleasure of sitting beside Col. Rotondi Jr. and his wife during the Friday night concert (of which the photo from above originates) and the three of us were sort of marveling at the idea of how much money in tubas and euphoniums there were on stage. My guess was around $600,000!!

Hmmm, did you factor in the current exchange rates with that guess???

[MaryAnn]

I would really like to hear a recording of that performance of Star Wars! Probably my stereo can't do it justice, but it would still be worth seeing if it could, and frightening the neighbors.

MA

PS: and one of these years....I'm going to get my chops in shape starting a couple months ahead of time (that's all the better I play, only takes two months to get from here to there...) and go to this blinking conference; it just comes so soon after Christmas and it catches me off guard. Four years from now....I'll be retired, and then I will have no excuses any more.

[Dean]

Some pics!! Enjoy!


JMU Ensemble:




Can someone explain these to me? (I missed this recital)






The Marine Band Quartet:




Thursday's Reading Session:




Saturday's Reading Session:




Another AFTEE shot (lots o bells):




The Original 1983 AFTEE gang for their reunion performance: