Why do you go to tuba conferences?

[poomshanka]

I'm wondering why folks go to tuba/music conferences. What types of things go on that you like? What types of things rub you the wrong way? What types of things would you like to see that aren't always there?

Also, if you had to take a guess, how many folks do you think might show up to ITEC this June?

Just curious. Please feel free to discuss anything and everything that comes to mind.

Thanx...

...Dave

[Rick Denney]

Yes. Except that for me, perform and compete are definitely not synonymous.

Rick "who thinks the polls that require a single response of many possible responses are lame" Denney

[poomshanka]

Rick "who thinks the polls that require a single response of many possible responses are lame" Denney

Hmmm... You have a point. I was trying to stimulate some possible responses, but at the same time leave open the opportunity to "free form" in the reply (as you have). Respondents could perhaps use my poll topics as a point of departure, or come up with something totally different that I hadn't thought of. You're right, though - folks could have more than one reason for going.

Perhaps I should re-phrase the question to more of a "pick your top reason", but feel free to sound off in reply?

...Dave "who doesn't necessarily live and/or die by exact wording in polls, but rather tries to discern the intent"

[tubeast]

To me it´s a little of all of the above except maybe the horn trading part, since I just enjoy the general experience of tubadom. It´s cool to hang out with devoted colleagues, meet and greet big names and check out horns your local dealer would never put in his shop window.

I do admire the dedication of people who fly around the world to get there, even as hobbyists. I have to admit that for the time being I can´t afford to belong to those. Conventions of that sort seem to be a true American phenomenon, at least I haven´t heard of that many ITEC-spin-offs on a more regional basis. Budapest was cool.

[TubaRay]

to play Ride of the Valkuries louder than anyone else in the exhibit room, and to put a few scratches/dinks in vendors' wares while doing so

If this reason represents the mainstream, there are many, many attendees who are very successful in achieving their goal.

[jtuba]

to play Ride of the Valkuries louder than anyone else in the exhibit room, and to put a few scratches/dinks in vendors' wares while doing so

real answer: to hear Tony Kniffen/Brian Bowman play...and to (if one is there) try out one particular make/model of tuba

Don't forget Fountains and Prokofiev 5

[Christopher Lair]

Maybe this is a silly question, but I wonder why we still have a "0%" response on "hear new music". I voted for something else, and am equally guilty of other priorities myself. However, conferences are a great place to find new, exciting works for the instrument. I find that aspect of this pole pretty interesting.

[Rick Denney]

to play Ride of the Valkuries louder than anyone else in the exhibit room, and to put a few scratches/dinks in vendors' wares while doing so

I'm not sure that's any worse than the stupid tunes I have in my head when I'm in the elephant room.

I'm always amused at comparing the pros to the wannabes. The pros play horns, but they play surprisingly simple stuff at medium volume, and don't seem to spend too much time doing it. I suspect they are culling the herd for their students and if they are seriously considering an instrument for themselves, will make use of another opportunity when they have a hope of hearing themselves. The wannabes, of course, are not playing to learn anything, but rather to impress their mates. That's one goal that is absolutely beyond hope for me, so I don't bother to try.

Back to the question. Most people attend conferences because of the mix of different activities, not because of a single activity. I take off work to go to the Army conference every year, but I might not do so if you took away any third or half of those activities in the poll. I like it all from the reading sessions to the bull sessions. I even like the greasy fries at the bowling alley.

Rick "who thinks Joe ought to drive to Fort Myer this year and quit goofing off" Denney

[Rick Denney]

I am too busy most times...

...I also generally dislike like-instrument ensembles of any sort...

...I much prefer the mixed sounds of a brass quintet or wind quintet...

Too busy to drink beer with your friends? Antisocial!

The Army Conference has surprisingly little of the "like-instrument" ensembles. Wednesday night is Quintet night. Thursday night is Jazz night (with the Army Blues). Friday night is Orchestra night, and Saturday night is Band night.

It's free (if you can get there) and nothing is required attendance, so the key to enjoyment is to not treat it like work. I know that's hard for professionals who spend so much of their time with their instrument in professional settings. But there are a couple times a year when I just hang out with fellow engineers at conferences and tell lies and drink beer. That's allowed.

Come to the Army conference. Call Ken Sloan and hitch a ride. Persuade Thomas to come, too.

Everyone needs a road trip once in a while.

Rick "who uses engineering conferences to get away from corporate life and remember why he likes engineering" Denney

[tubaman5150]

to play Ride of the Valkuries louder than anyone else in the exhibit room, and to put a few scratches/dinks in vendors' wares while doing so

real answer: to hear Tony Kniffen/Brian Bowman play...and to (if one is there) try out one particular make/model of tuba

Don't forget Fountains and Prokofiev 5

I have been guilty of that. To be honest, I can't remember much else to play when I'm trying out everything I can get my hands on.
I also like to put a few Tubenet names with faces while I'm at conferences.

[BopEuph]

I like to go to meet other tuba/euphonium players out there, make new friends, get new connections. The tuba world is pretty close-knit, so you are likely to see many of the same faces at each conference. This year will be the first year that I am sending in a tape for the artist and mock auditions; we will see how good I do. But what could be more fun that having a beer with Oystein Baadsvik?

Nick

[windshieldbug]

Maybe this is a silly question, but I wonder why we still have a "0%" response on "hear new music".

I suspect we all go for that, too, but you can only vote for one option, and being brass players, equipment and beer have to be overriding objectives...

[Posaune2]

to play Ride of the Valkuries louder than anyone else in the exhibit room, and to put a few scratches/dinks in vendors' wares while doing so

real answer: to hear Tony Kniffen/Brian Bowman play...and to (if one is there) try out one particular make/model of tuba

I have two vivid memories of the only tuba workshop I have ever attended.

#1 Walking up to the music building on a beautiful spring day and seeing & hearing someone honking out Bruckner #8 on a BAT out on the front lawn while wearing a pair of substantial headphones. I know he was probably playing along with Jacobs and the CSO, but it sure looked like he was doing his best to screen out the hideously loud sounds he was making.

#2 Standing in line at a convienence store and hearing someone in front of me plugging the tuba parade that was happening later in the day. The person next to me then blurted out "This is GREAT! They're going right past my apartment, and I even have time to fill up some water balloons!"

Eric Carlson