Warren Deck

[Liberty Mo]

I attempted to search the archives, but gave up after the first 5 or 6 pages of threads. I apologize if this is just common knowledge, but where is Mr. Deck today? He was the tubist in arguably the most prestigous position in the world, had his own line of instruments, and was an absolute monster player and teacher, but he just seemed to step out?

What happened?

[rocksanddirt]

It appears some kind of illness curtailed his playing days, but he seems to teach out in Denver these days.

http://www.du.edu/lamont/fac_brass.html

[bort]

http://www.du.edu/lamont/fac_brass.html" target="_blank" target="_blank

In 2001, Warren was diagnosed with focal dystonia in his upper lip, which has ended his playing career. He now lives in Denver, Colorado, where he teaches at the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver, and teaches at the Aspen Music Festival and School in the summers.

[Nick Pierce]

That is all correct, Mr. Decks playing career has essentially ended due to focal dystonia, and he now teaches at the University of Denver Lamont of school of music along with Kathy Brantigan, as well as the Aspen Summer Festival and school. However, I have also heard rumors that he does still play occasionally in lessons, not sure how, someone more knowledgeable on his condition can speak there. I can say, however, that he remains a fantastic teacher, and anyone living in the vicinity or visiting would be well advised to try and take a lesson with him. As a side note, he also seems to have started a conducting career; I remember seeing him named as a guest conductor for the Denver Brass during a concert a year or so ago. Hope that helps.

[adam0408]

From what I understand, focal dystonia is a complex condition that medical professionals do not know all that much about and have very little idea of how to treat.

It is a problem that usually is caused by overuse of a muscle, and according to this website, http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/page ... ia_/26.php" target="_blank" target="_blank the disease manifests itself when the thing that usually tells a muscle to relax malfunctions.

Focal dystonia also is not an ongoing condition, meaning it comes and goes. Persons afflicted with the disease have attacks that limit their function to varying degrees (sometimes to the point where they can no longer perform professionally) but the disease does not completely impair function all the time.

Regardless, its a scary disease to think about, and it is truly unfortunate that Warren Deck's career was ended by it.

[dwaskew]

for more information and a good case study on how FD can be worked through, read this:
http://www.euphoniumunlimited.com/research.html" target="_blank" target="_blank

[eupher61]

and it's not necessarily overuse of a muscle, it's a neurological condition, not muscular.

It is possible to keep playing while dealing with FD. The medicos don't really have an understanding of it, whether rest or continued use or botox or whatever is the best course.

[Liberty Mo]

Thanks for the information.

[Matt G]

In regards to FD:

It is a condition in which your chops no longer function under a certain situation. You may still have full control of your lips, face, and all other muscles involved, but when you go to form an embouchure, things "fall apart". This can take place in any register, and with any range. It could be just one note. It could be an entire register, or the ability to buzz altogether.

I was able to hear Mr. Deck play fairly close to the end. To my ears, it was unbelievable that he had FD and was working around it. He simply sounded fantastic up until the end. However, I can completely understand the utter hell he was going through to make things work. I am happy for him that he has been able to keep involved in music in a professional capacity and is still sharing his love for tuba playing with new students.

[NDSPTuba]

I can completely relate to Mr. Deck. Though I was no were near the level player he was, I was a professional, making a living playing F. Horn and FD ended my career in its tracks. It was/is devastating. I still lament my misfortune for time to time. For me, my lips work fine in normal everyday things, but go to form an embouchure and it freaks out. I could still play in the high range, but mid range was completely unusable. Low range was pretty much unusable also, but I could compensate better down low.

At least it doesn't prevent me from having success playing the Tuba. Which for me has been a blessing.

-James

[Alex C]

I'm sure it's no fun to have your medical condition (which is private information) conjectured about and discussed freely on a forum. Why don't we limit this discussion to Warren's current activities.

I applaud Warren for finding a place to continue doing something that he loved. There must be many of us who would be consider ourselves to be fortunate to play in a group with Warren Deck as the conductor.

[Matt G]

I'm sure it's no fun to have your medical condition (which is private information) conjectured about and discussed freely on a forum. Why don't we limit this discussion to Warren's current activities.

I applaud Warren for finding a place to continue doing something that he loved. There must be many of us who would be consider ourselves to be fortunate to play in a group with Warren Deck as the conductor.

I just want to put these links in reference to the beginning of your statement:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focal_dystonia

http://hornroller.com/understanding_sup ... l_dystonia

http://www.du.edu/lamont/fac_brass.html

The last of these links is from the school in which he teaches, the second contains direct quotes from Mr. Deck, and the first is simply the Wikipedia page as a guide. All of these speak about this condition. All could be retracted if Mr. Deck felt it violated his HIPAA rights.

I am personally glad that he has been vocal about his situation, and is still in the brass community. In regards to us discussing it "freely", I don't think anyone has said anything improper in regards to him or this condition. Furthermore, until you have suffered with the same issue as I and another poster have, I don't think you quite understand that we are actually quite thankful for Mr. Deck and his strength to deal with this in a fairly public (as seen in those links) manner.

[Alex C]

I am sorry that your took my post as a personal insult, however I believe that thoughtful people will avoid public conjecture about anyone's medical condition, that's just basic civility in our society. Those who understand will surely limit their discussion to Warren's current activities.

HIPAA doesn't apply, those laws refer to medical information sharing between patient, doctor, hospital and (@#$%*&#$) insurance companies. You can't "retract" what's been said on a public forum, this is not a legal proceeding where an arbiter can ask us to ignore what's already been said to thousands of people.

I, too, am glad Warren has spoken about his medical condition but it's an entirely different matter for him to say it than for us to guess about it, as the first three or four posters did; that is the type response to which I was referring.

And please try not to make conjecture about what you think another person, you do not know, may or may not quite understand.

[Tubman]

However, I have also heard rumors that he does still play occasionally in lessons, not sure how, someone more knowledgeable on his condition can speak there.

A good friend of mine was diagnosed with focal dystonia a few years ago, for about two years he couldn't play at all, but now he can play about 15 minutes at a time...apparently that's as good as it gets for him, though.

I have heard of some treatments for focal dystonia that are utilizing Botox to help loosen certain muscles whenever they involuntarily become tense with use. I heard this on NPR a few years back when they were interviewing a famous concert pianist that got it in his right hand. He began treatment and was able to regain about 60-70% of his former talent in that hand...I'm no expert on the subject, so if I'm spreading false information please let me know, but that's as much as of an explanation as to how Mr. Deck is rumored to be able to play some in his students' lessons.

[Tubman]

However, I can completely understand the utter hell he was going through to make things work. I am happy for him that he has been able to keep involved in music in a professional capacity and is still sharing his love for tuba playing with new students.

I completely agree. I don't even want to imagine how Mr. Deck must have felt once he realized he couldn't carry on with his solo career. I am so glad to hear that Mr. Deck is back to playing (at least a little) in his lessons, however.

[MaryAnn]

As another person with FD, I recognize that people with it try to get information out about it as much as possible. It is neurological, I have written about it quite a bit in other venues, and there are people who recover from it, although the process can take some time and a great deal of patience. I personally would not touch botox with any length pole.

Anyone who would like to correspond with me about it is invited to do so.

MA

[Kyle Turner]

Warren is indeed at the Lamont School of Music at the University of Colorado in Denver. I gave a recital and masterclass there, and he is doing well.
I had the great pleasure of filling Warrens position in the NY Philharmonic for 3 years. The demands on the tuba player in that chair can be hefty. It must have been terrible for Warren towards the end because even the slightest chop issue in the midsts of such great playing can wreak havoc.
Warren did such an amazing job there for all those years. It gave me a new perspective and respect for that position, and the extremely high level of playing that is needed for such a high visibility job.

[The Big Ben]

Warren is indeed at the Lamont School of Music at the University of Colorado in Denver. I gave a recital and masterclass there, and he is doing well.
I had the great pleasure of filling Warrens position in the NY Philharmonic for 3 years. The demands on the tuba player in that chair can be hefty. It must have been terrible for Warren towards the end because even the slightest chop issue in the midsts of such great playing can wreak havoc.
Warren did such an amazing job there for all those years. It gave me a new perspective and respect for that position, and the extremely high level of playing that is needed for such a high visibility job.

I hope Mr. Deck is finding fulfillment and happiness doing what he is doing now. It's always a sad thing when a 'star' is sidelined but life can go on and this Trumpet Doofus wishes him well...

[hbcrandy]

I had the priviledge of studying, privately, for two years, with Warren Deck in New York in the early 1980's when he was at the peak of his playing. In addition to being a world-class player, he was also a GREAT teacher and fine human being. It is a priviledge to have benefitted from his superb tutelage. Anyone who can book him for a lesson now will also benefit from the wisdom and musical insight of this great artist.