Attention: Northwest tuba and euphonium players!!!

[Chris Olka]

Your input is needed!!!
As you may know by now the 1st Annual Seattle Tuba-Euphonium Conference is right around the corner. It is shaping up to be a great event so far. BUT...this just in, Ferguson Music from LA is going to be coming to the conference as a vendor and BRINGING TUBAS AND EUPHONIUMS to display at the conference!!!

Here is a list of instruments Steve has proposed to bring thus far:

Gronitz PF125 F silver
Gronitz PCM CC silver
Miraphone 191 BBb
Miraphone 1291 CC
Miraphone 1292 CC
Miraphone 188 CC gold brass
Miraphone 281 F Firebird 6v (4+2) gold brass
Miraphone 56A Bb Kaiser baritone (tenor tuba) 5V gold brass - maybe
Miraphone M5050 euphonium (Demondrae Thurman) 4V comp silver
Miraphone 1281 piston F
Haag F cimbasso - maybe

Now, what I would like from you guys and gals is to reply to this thread and chime in with feedback about these horns. So far the list is a little short on BBb tubas and Eb tubas and Steve has plenty, so let us know. Steve has quite a few other instruments in stock as well so if there is a horn you might be interested in that is not on this list please post so that Steve and I can get a feel for what he should definitely be bringing up. Also, I would suggest looking at his website:
http://www.hornguys.com" target="_blank" target="_blank
and seeing what he has that you JUST HAVE TO TRY.

Finally, please be considerate when posting your choices because Steve will be incurring considerable expense to get these horns up to the conference and as such will have to weigh the possibility of selling these horns at the show against requests to bring 'that ole 7 valve Db Vienna Valve 7/4 Marching Helicon' .

I would like to point out that we tuba and euphers in this part of the country NEVER get a chance to try instruments that we are considering unless we go to LA or the East Coast and as such, this is a tremendous opportunity. Please chime in and also spread the word. Also, take a look at that list and notice the 2nd horn from the bottom.......Miraphone 1281 piston F tuba.......not a prototype mind you.....a production instrument. My understanding is that these horns are now going to be made and this is a unique chance to play this tuba.

Well, I hope that I have generated an appropriate buzz befitting Steve Ferguson's tremendous contribution to the conference and hope to see you all there.

For info about the conference please visit:
http://www.seatec.org" target="_blank" target="_blank

Also, please let the posting begin!!!!!!

Happy holidays and all the best,

Chris Olka
Seattle Symphony
Seattle Opera

[bearphonium]

Chris,
I would love to see a Mira 282 make the trip. 3/4 BBb which I hope will be my next tuba. Coming to Seattle from Eugene is real doable!

Ally

[Waltski]

Don't know if he carries them, but I'd love to compare a 187 against a 191...

[Norm in Bellevue]

Chris,

Great selection! This is a major deal to get these instruments up here for us to play-test. It would sure be nice if he could find room to bring along the Starlight Eb.

[Norm in Bellevue]

Chris,

I've had another look at hornguys.com, and it occured to me that it would sure be nice if he could bring the Alex 163 along. It's a special order, but yet he says, "Older Alex's have had a questionable reputation for good intonation, however this one is most excellent. The sound of this horn is a classic orchestral tuba sound. The rotors are fast and smooth. The response is almost immediate and the tone is pure and rich with a powerful sonic quality. Check out the amazing details and hand engraving in the following pics. Most players who stop by the shop find this to be their favorite large CC tuba." Since you have two 1292s at UW, maybe he could leave his 1292 in L.A., which would make room in the truck for the 163. Just a thought. Also, since so many tubists double on bass 'bone, why not bring along a couple of them?