Okay, I'll go on record right up front and say the only complaint I had was that only 2 vendors came and they were only there for Part of Friday.
Other than that....I was impressed with all the musicians I heard in the practice rooms, at the sight readings, on stage, and killing time between events.
Michael competed in the Student-Level Tuba. He was one of six competitors. His goal was to do no worse than last years 4th place. As we got his music early and he had lessons from Mark Thiele for the last 5 months we thought that should be an attainable goal.
The pianist supporting the students was absolutely fabulous! She spoke with the kids at practice and before playing for scoring. Last years painist would scowl and shaker her head if one of the kids made a mistake
. This years lady was a God send, put all the kids at ease (or as close as they could be). Mark Thiele had 2 students in the competition. We got to listen to both on the day of the competition as Michel was first to go and Brian Kropaczek (Marks' 6th grade student) went second. When we went out to collect Michael, he was already predicting the winner, second, and third place based on what he had heard in the practice rooms. Based on his impression, he was less certian of his goal.
As with last year we took in the sight reading class, and I was happy to see Brian there as well. We had told his parents that if they could afford the time, he should participate in every playing event he could. The instructor noticed Brian sitting at the end of the second tubas, and had him move between a couple of college players so he could hear and learn from them. Very Nice.
At the evenings Concert, the Air Force Euphonium Quartet played several selections and then came the announcement of the top players in each category. Okay, I have to admit that I failed as a reporter, but performed as a father, in that I can't tell you the top players in each category.
The finalists were called alphabetically...For Student Tuba Zach Cox, Paul Foster, Brian Kropaczek, and Michael Wilson made the cut.
In the Young Artist Level Tuba; the finalists were Mo Elinsky, Nicholas Holpuch, Tim Monos, and Rick Thornton. I know this because I met Dan Thornton in the hallway while Rick and Michael were in their respective practice rooms. Rick hadd just finished his freshman year, and had been accepted to Interlochen. oh, and he could PLAY! Dan and I spent a lot of time talking between events. Seems he cruises this sight and recognized a couple of my stories from last year.
After the announcement, the Navy Brass Quartet came on to play, but were intuerrupted by a noxious gass that was in the concert hall.
Not my fault! The had to cut the show short and the finalists were call out to be given instructon for the next days finals. That is wehn we found out that the Student Level Tubas would not be playing, but would be ranked according to that days score sheets.I figure that ws because every other category had more than 6 players, with all but virtuoso Artist Tuba having 10 or more players.
We returned mid day Thursday for practice for the Harvy Phillips Tribute. While waiting for that, Rick Thornton took michael to the practice rooms so they could play together. A very nice jesture from a more accomplished player.
I got nearly an hour of video recording from the practice session. Some great music, the students picked it up so fast, and the upper level players really filled out the sound. The awards were given out by Harvey Phillips at the conclusion of the tribute, and his singing of "Santa wants a tuba for Christmas". Brian Kropaczek took 4th, I was very happy for this young man doing so well in his first competition of this type. Then came the announcement of 3rd place. It went to Zach Cox. I was very suprised, so was Michael as he told me he had started to stand up from where he was playing until he realized that he wasn't the one called. But he was called for 2nd place. 1st went to Paul Foster (who Michel had picked). He has an older brother who competed at the young artist level.
Young Artist Tuba was taken by Rick Thornton. 2nd was Nicholas Holpuch, 3rd Steven Wood, and 4th Tim Monos.
The other areas I dont remember, except that Beth McDonald of the University of Kentucky took the Virtuoso Artist Tuba.
Friday we went back up for the final sight reading class, but had to leave due to my having difficulty from laser vision surgery before the final concert.
When ever GMU updates their website, you will be able to see this years photos and complete results.
Again I'd give it a 97 out of 100! A great jog, and a great bunch of people.
http://www.gmu.edu/departments/music/po ... sched.html
