The Brass Junkies

Andrew and guest co-host Dr. Michael W. Nickens are joined by trombonist Myles Blakemore of The United States Navy Band
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The Brass Junkies is hosted and produced by Andrew Hitz for Pedal Note Media

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Andrew and guest co-host Buddy Deshler are joined by trumpeter, coronetist, and flugelhornist Jen Oliverio
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The Brass Junkies is hosted and produced by Andrew Hitz for Pedal Note Media

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Andrew is joined by Ryan McGeorge, euphonium player for "The President's Own" Marine Band
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The Brass Junkies is hosted and produced by Andrew Hitz for Pedal Note Media

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Andrew and guest co-host Michael Nickens are joined by trumpeter and composer Marcus Grant.
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The Brass Junkies is hosted and produced by Andrew Hitz for Pedal Note Media

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This Listener's Choice is all questions about the late, great Sam Pilafian.
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The Brass Junkies is hosted and produced by Andrew Hitz for Pedal Note Media

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Andrew is joined by trumpet player Dr. Luke Spence, fresh off playing in a dream team trumpet section for the first ever performances of the International Pride Orchestra.
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The Brass Junkies is hosted and produced by Andrew Hitz for Pedal Note Media

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Andrew is joined by three phenomenal euphonium players, Jamie Lipton, John Caputo and Betsy Hones, to talk all NABBA and the British-style brass band scene in the US.
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The Brass Junkies is hosted and produced by Andrew Hitz for Pedal Note Media

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Trumpet player Jeff Conner of Boston Brass joined Andrew for a session on building a world-class chamber ensemble at the Brass Career Intensive. Become a Patron ► https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies/
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The Brass Junkies is hosted and produced by Andrew Hitz for Pedal Note Media

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Horn player and very-soon-to-be Doctor Kelly Langenberg joins Andrew and special guest co-host Jeff Nelsen of Canadian Brass to talk about horn and the challenges of being a female brass player.
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The Brass Junkies is hosted and produced by Andrew Hitz for Pedal Note Media

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Phenomenal trombonist Zenas Kim-Banther joins Andrew and special guest co-host Jim Nova to talk about trombone and horses.
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The Brass Junkies is hosted and produced by Andrew Hitz for Pedal Note Media

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Jazz trombone legend John Fedchock joins Andrew and guest co-host, former Brass Junkies guest, and John's wife Jennifer Wharton to talk about his amazing career that spans over four decades.

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The Brass Junkies is hosted and produced by Andrew Hitz for Pedal Note Media

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International euphonium sensastion Glenn Van Looy joins Andrew and guest host Hiram Diaz from Switzerland to discuss his career as one of the most in-demand euphonium soloists in the world.

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The Brass Junkies is hosted and produced by Andrew Hitz for Pedal Note Media

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Horn legend Marty Hackleman takes us behind the scenes for the Empire Brass recording session for their album Class Brass.

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The Brass Junkies is hosted and produced by Andrew Hitz for Pedal Note Media

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A clip from each Brass Junkies interview of 2022 along with some brief thoughts on each.

• TBJ180 Matt Neff of the North Carolina Symphony on getting incredibly nervous in auditions, even two decades into his professional career (2:51)
  
• TBJ181 Kevin Newton of Imani Winds on his mental approach to auditions (7:44)
• TBJ182 Jeff Curnow of The Philadelphia Orchestra on Rolf Smedvig setting the tone for Empire Brass concerts (9:45)
  
• TBJ184 International tuba phenom Sergio Carolino on staying away from negative people (11:24)
  
• TBJ185 Sylvia Alimena, formerly of the National Symphony Orchestra, on why it's never too early to talk about artistry with students (13:23)
  
• TBJ186 Beth Wiese of Appalachian State University on how musicians don’t control much but do control how they approach a piece of music (14:40)
  
• TBJ187 Jack Burt of the University of Maine on the concept of any performance being just a snapshot (17:28)
  
• TBJ188 Joe Dollard, retired Navy Band, on making the case for strengthening the connection between your singing voice and your playing (19:36)
  
• TBJ190 Kevin Gebo of the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" on the importance of listening (21:43)
  
• TBJ191 Steve Lange of the Boston Symphony Orchestra on the breakthrough he had after experiencing a real low point early on in his career (23:31)
  
• TBJ192 William Russell of Boston Brass on the intense moment in a lesson with Mike Roylance that really impacted him (27:01)
  
• TBJ193 Billy Hunter of the Metropolitan Opera on using his imagination to help him perform at his best (30:30)
  
• TBJ194 Natalie Mannix of the University of North Texas on the benefits of using a Pomodoro timer when practicing (32:32)
  
• TBJ195 Jasmine Pigott on overcoming a less than encouraging teacher early in her career and how she went about learning to improvise (35:41)
  
• TBJ196 Christopher Davis on the mindset he brings to subbing with orchestras around the world (38:31)
  
• TBJ197 Jonathan Fowler of West Chester University on the importance of regularly checking in with yourself to make sure your goals are still your goals (40:57)
• TBJ198 Terry Bingham, formerly of the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own", on his ability to morph to match any style or any musician and credits listening to lots of different music (43:00)
• TBJ200 Lance LaDuke, formerly of a lot of things, on being too stupid to quit (45:11)
• TBJ201 Joe Burgstaller or Arizona State University on teaching students improvisation using a theater technique (48:02)
• TBJ202 Andrew Dougherty of the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" on exactly how organized he has been for the three professional auditions he has won to date (52:13)
• TBJ203 Bruce Faske of Arkansas State University on losing his father and how all we have is today (52:23)
• TBJ204 Pete Sullivan of the Pittsburgh Symphony on the legendary Charles Dutoit messing with Pete's head in his first year with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (58:02)
• TBJ205 Kevin Harrison of Axiom Brass on his former teacher, Floyd Cooley, never quitting on him when he was at a difficult point in his life (1:05:10)

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The Brass Junkies is hosted and produced by Andrew Hitz for Pedal Note Media
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Trumpet superstar Rex Richardson joins the show to talk about his new book, 100 Days of Trumpet Practice, and to offer practicing tips for all brass players.

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The Brass Junkies is hosted and produced by Andrew Hitz for Pedal Note Media
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The latest installment of the Brass Legacy Project celebrates the life of former Principal Tuba of the San Francisco Symphony Floyd Cooley.

Special guests:

• Kevin Harrison - Axiom Brass
• Daryl Johnson - Louisville Symphony Orchestra
• Pete Link - Kyoto Symphony Orchestra
• Mike Roylance - Boston Symphony Orchestra
• William Russell - Boston Brass
• Jerome Stover - Sam Houston State University

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The Brass Junkies is hosted and produced by Andrew Hitz for Pedal Note Media
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#BrassJunkies #AndrewHitz #FloydCooley #Tuba #SanFranciscoSymphony #MikeRoylance #WilliamRussell #JeromeStover #PeteLink #DarylJohnson #KevinHarrison

Principal Trombone of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Pete Sullivan joins Andrew along with special guest co-host Jim Nova for Episode 204 of The Brass Junkies.

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The Brass Junkies is hosted and produced by Andrew Hitz for Pedal Note Media
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#BrassJunkies #AndrewHitz

Andrew is joined by friends to share what they're grateful for! Become a Patron ► https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies/ Show Notes ► https://www.pedalnotemedia.com/the-brass-junkies-podcast/ For the annual episode giving thanks, Andrew is joined by five friends of the show: ► Shelagh Abate - The Horn Queen of Broadway ► Jack Burt - Professor of Trumpet at the University of Maine ► Bruce Faske - Professor of Trombone at Arkansas State University ► Kevin Gebo - Trumpet for The United States Army Brass Quintet ► Geoff Pilkington - Principal Horn of the Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/pray4jens/ Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/pray4jens/ Twitter ► https://twitter.com/pray4jens The Brass Junkies is hosted and produced by Andrew Hitz for Pedal Note Media https://www.pedalnotemedia.com/

Andrew Dougherty joins TBJ for a special Winning the Audition!
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The Brass Junkies is hosted and produced by Andrew Hitz for Pedal Note Media
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#BrassJunkies #AndrewHitz

Joe Burgstaller joins special co-host Chris Martin to talk all things trumpet!
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The Brass Junkies is hosted by and produced by Andrew Hitz for Pedal Note Media
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#BrassJunkies #AndrewHitz

Lance bids a fond farewell to the podcast and is joined by a cavalcade of stars!
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The Brass Junkies is hosted by Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke and is produced one final time by Will Houchin for Pedal Note Media
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#BrassJunkies #AndrewHitz #LanceLaDuke

Andrew and Lance answer MORE listener questions | TBJ199
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The Brass Junkies is hosted by Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke and is produced by Will Houchin for Pedal Note Media
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#BrassJunkies #AndrewHitz #LanceLaDuke

Terry Bingham on his career with playing Trumpet with the Pershing’s Own and more | TBJ198

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The Brass Junkies is hosted by Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke and is produced by Will Houchin for Pedal Note Media

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#BrassJunkies #TerryBingham #Trumpet

Becoming a student to be a better teacher and more with Jonathan Fowler | TBJ197
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The Brass Junkies is hosted by Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke and is produced by Will Houchin for Pedal Note Media
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#BrassJunkies #JonathanFowler #Tuba

World-renowned Bass Trombonist Christopher Davis talks with the Brass Junkies | TBJ196

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The Brass Junkies is hosted by Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke and is produced by Will Houchin for Pedal Note Media.

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Jasmine Pigott talks about her new EP, improvising on the tuba, and much more! | TBJ195
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The Brass Junkies is hosted by Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke and is produced by Will Houchin for Pedal Note Media
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#BrassJunkies #JasminePigott #Tuba

Natalie Mannix on UNT, IWBC, Stiletto Brass and more! | TBJ194
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The Brass Junkies is hosted by Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke and is produced by Will Houchin for Pedal Note Media
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#BrassJunkies #NatalieMannix #Trombone

The Metropolitan Opera's Billy Hunter on trumpet, meditation, his career and more
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The Brass Junkies is hosted by Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke and is produced by Will Houchin for Pedal Note Media
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#BrassJunkies #BillyHunter #Trumpet

Boston Brass's William Russell on studying with Sam Pilafian, the tuba, and more!
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The Brass Junkies is hosted by Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke and is produced by Will Houchin for Pedal Note Media
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#BrassJunkies #WilliamRussell #Tuba

Steve Lange talks orchestral trombone, Joe Alessi, the Boston Symphony, and more | TBJ191
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#BrassJunkies #SteveLange #Trombone

The Army Ceremonial Band, Fatherhood, Trumpet and more with Kevin Gebo | TBJ190

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The Brass Junkies is hosted by Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke and is produced by Will Houchin for Pedal Note Media

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#BrassJunkies #KevinGebo #Trumpet

Andrew and Lance answer MORE listener questions!
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The Brass Junkies is hosted by Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke and is produced by Will Houchin for Pedal Note Media
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Navy Band, Rich Matteson, and Jazz Euphonium with Joe Dollard | TBJ188
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The Brass Junkies is hosted by Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke and is produced by Will Houchin for Pedal Note Media
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#BrassJunkies #JoeDollard #Euphonium

Etude-A-Day, Rotary Trumpets, and more with Jack Burt | TBJ187
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The Brass Junkies is hosted by Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke and is produced by Will Houchin for Pedal Note Media
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#BrassJunkies #JackBurt #Trumpet

TBJ186 features Beth Wiese from the 2022 TBJ Tuba Workshop

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The Brass Junkies is hosted by Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke and is produced by Will Houchin for Pedal Note Media
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#BrassJunkies #BethWiese #Tuba

Inside the Practice Room ► https://www.andrewhitz.com/blog/inside-the-practice-room-with-julie-landsman
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The Brass Junkies is hosted by Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke and is produced by Will Houchin for Pedal Note Media
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#BrassJunkies #SylviaAlimena #Horn

Inside the Practice Room ► https://www.andrewhitz.com/blog/inside-the-practice-room-with-julie-landsman
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The Brass Junkies is hosted by Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke and is produced by Will Houchin for Pedal Note Media
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#BrassJunkies #SylviaAlimena #Horn

Sergio Carolino talks about his career as a tuba player, his lasting connection to Sam Pilafian, and more!
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Listener’s Choice! Andrew and Lance answer more Listener Questions! | TBJ183
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The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Jeffrey Curnow on playing with the legendary Empire Brass, crazy road stories and his life as a professional cartoonist!

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#BrassJunkies #JeffreyCurnow #Trumpet

Imani Winds Horn Kevin Newton on mentorship, chamber music, and more!
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TBJ181

#KevinNewton #Horn #BrassJunkies

Bass Trombonist Matt Neff talks about his gig with the North Carolina Symphony and more!
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#MattNeff #BassTrombone #BrassJunkies

Tubist Chris Lee talks about the late Dennis Miller, the Wynton Marsalis Concerto, and more!
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#ChrisLee #Tuba #BrassJunkies

Euphonium LEGEND Mary Ann Craig shares stories from her remarkable career!

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#MaryAnnCraig #Euphonium #BrassJunkies

Andrew and Lance are BACK to answer MORE of YOUR QUESTIONS!
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#AndrewHitz #LanceLaDuke #BrassJunkies

Amy Schumaker Bliss on her children's book, her new euphonium album, and the New World Brass Cast
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#AmySchumakerBliss #Euphonium #BrassJunkies

Darius Christian on trombone, touring with Gwen Stefani, and his album Scaryus

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#DariusChristian #Trombone #BrassJunkies

Roger Bobo talks about his career, artistry on the tuba, and more!
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Joe Alessi is back to talk about the Alessi Music Studio, Chick Corea, and MUCH MORE!
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#JoeAlessi #Trombone #BrassJunkies

Andrew and Lance answer some questions for our listeners!
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#BrassJunkies #AndrewHitz #LanceLaDuke

Nathaniel Silberschlag on winning auditions, Julie Landsman, and more!
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#FrenchHorn #NathanielSilberschlag #BrassJunkies

Rex Richardson on his book "100 Days of Trumpet Practice" and much more!
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#TheBrassJunkies #RexRichardson #Trumpet

TBJ169 features NYC Bass Trombone Legend Dave Taylor on his amazing career and playing with some of the biggest names in classical and jazz music.

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#TheBrassJunkies #BassTrombone #DaveTaylor

Alison Mahovsky on Auditions, Military Bands, and all things Euphonium
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Charles Villarrubia on chamber music, defining success, and working with Sam Pilafian and Empire Brass!

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José Sibaja talks routines, practice tips, recording set-ups, playing in different styles and more from this rewind to the 2020 Brass Junkies Summer Workshop!

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Produced by Will Houchin for Pedal Note Media
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Michael joins the podcast to talk about working with Anthony Plog, Sam Pilafian, the roots of trumpet pedagogy, and much more!

You can find show notes including links to everything mentioned in this episode on the Pedal Note Media website: http://www.pedalnotemedia.com/the-brass-junkies-podcast/

For instant access to the complete back catalog of exclusive bonus content including extra interviews with guests, additional content from Lance and Andrew like the Music Practice Coach Show and the Jacobs Quotes Podcast, become a Patreon patron of the show today: https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies

On this episode Reginald Chapman discusses his dual education in classical and jazz trombone, life as a bass trombonist, his new project “Pressure Fit” and much more!

You can find show notes including links to everything mentioned in this episode on the Pedal Note Media website: http://www.pedalnotemedia.com/the-brass-junkies-podcast/

For instant access to the complete back catalog of exclusive bonus content including extra interviews with guests, additional content from Lance and Andrew like the Music Practice Coach Show and the Jacobs Quotes Podcast, become a Patreon patron of the show today: https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies

On today’s episode, Andrew and Lance fly solo and answer some listener questions!

You can find show notes including links to everything mentioned in this episode on the Pedal Note Media website: http://www.pedalnotemedia.com/the-brass-junkies-podcast/

For instant access to the complete back catalog of exclusive bonus content including extra interviews with guests, additional content from Lance and Andrew like the Music Practice Coach Show and the Jacobs Quotes Podcast, become a Patreon patron of the show today: https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies

Jennifer Wharton stops by to talk with the Brass Junkies about life playing low notes, the group Bonegasm, recording an album during the times of COVID, and much much more!

You can find show notes including links to everything mentioned in this episode on the Pedal Note Media website: http://www.pedalnotemedia.com/the-brass-junkies-podcast/

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On this episode we talk with the incredible Thomas Gansch about his musical family, playing with Mnozil Brass, and his run-ins with the trumpet greats Bobby Shew and Maynard Ferguson.

You can find show notes including links to everything mentioned in this episode on the Pedal Note Media website: http://www.pedalnotemedia.com/the-brass-junkies-podcast/

For instant access to the complete back catalog of exclusive bonus content including extra interviews with guests, additional content from Lance and Andrew like the Music Practice Coach Show and the Jacobs Quotes Podcast, become a Patreon patron of the show today: https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies

On this episode of The Brass Junkies, we talk to Nicole Cash about her career, playing with the San Francisco Symphony, her battle with focal dystonia, her new culinary passion, and much more!

We're surveying the listeners of The Brass Junkies! Head over to https://www.pedalnotemedia.com/survey to share your thoughts with us for a chance to win a $100 AmEx gift card or free admission to a future Brass Junkies Workshop!

You can find show notes including links to everything mentioned in this episode on the Pedal Note Media website: http://www.pedalnotemedia.com/the-brass-junkies-podcast/

For instant access to the complete back catalog of exclusive bonus content including extra interviews with guests, additional content from Lance and Andrew like the Music Practice Coach Show and the Jacobs Quotes Podcast, become a Patreon patron of the show today: https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies

In this episode we talk to Norwegian euphonium superstar Bente Illevold on her journey as a musician, chamber music, commissioning new works, and life as a musician in Norway.

We're surveying the listeners of The Brass Junkies! Head over to https://www.pedalnotemedia.com/survey to share your thoughts with us for a chance to win a $100 AmEx gift card or free admission to a future Brass Junkies Workshop!

The next Winning the Audition workshop features Principal Trumpet of the New York Philharmonic, Chris Martin! Click here for more details and to grab your ticket: https://www.pedalnotemedia.com/events-3/winning-the-audition-chris-martin

You can find show notes including links to everything mentioned in this episode on the Pedal Note Media website: http://www.pedalnotemedia.com/the-brass-junkies-podcast/

For instant access to the complete back catalog of exclusive bonus content including extra interviews with guests, additional content from Lance and Andrew like the Music Practice Coach Show and the Jacobs Quotes Podcast, become a Patreon patron of the show today: https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies

The legend himself, Mark Gould, returns to the podcast. Mark talks about all things teaching, performing, and his new book, “Gould On Music.”

We're surveying the listeners of The Brass Junkies! Head over to https://www.pedalnotemedia.com/survey to share your thoughts with us for a chance to win a $100 AmEx gift card or free admission to a future Brass Junkies Workshop!

You can find show notes including links to everything mentioned in this episode on the Pedal Note Media website: http://www.pedalnotemedia.com/the-brass-junkies-podcast/

For instant access to the complete back catalog of exclusive bonus content including extra interviews with guests, additional content from Lance and Andrew like the Music Practice Coach Show and the Jacobs Quotes Podcast, become a Patreon patron of the show today: https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies

Seth Cook of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra talks about life as a professional musician, restaurant owner, and his quest to become a master sommelier.

You can find show notes including links to everything mentioned in this episode on the Pedal Note Media website: http://www.pedalnotemedia.com/the-brass-junkies-podcast/

For instant access to the complete back catalog of exclusive bonus content including extra interviews with guests, additional content from Lance and Andrew like the Music Practice Coach Show and the Jacobs Quotes Podcast, become a Patreon patron of the show today: https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies

Tuba pedagogue extraordinaire David Zerkel joins the podcast to talk about teaching in the pandemic, the upcoming Brass Junkies Tuba Workshop, remembering the beloved Dennis AsKew, and much more!

'You can find show notes including links to everything mentioned in this episode on the Pedal Note Media website: http://www.pedalnotemedia.com/the-brass-junkies-podcast/

For instant access to the complete back catalog of exclusive bonus content including extra interviews with guests, additional content from Lance and Andrew like the Music Practice Coach Show and the Jacobs Quotes Podcast, become a Patreon patron of the show today: https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies

Philadelphia Orchestra trumpet extraordinaire Tony Prisk joins The Brass Junkies to talk about cars, chamber music and what he’s been doing on and off the horn during the pandemic. Don’t miss it!

You can find show notes including links to everything mentioned in this episode on the Pedal Note Media website: http://www.pedalnotemedia.com/the-brass-junkies-podcast/

For instant access to the complete back catalog of exclusive bonus content including extra interviews with guests, additional content from Lance and Andrew like the Music Practice Coach Show and the Jacobs Quotes Podcast, become a Patreon patron of the show today: https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies

On Today’s Episode of The Brass Junkies:

• The remarkable decision to leave his fully established career in Venezuela behind to pursue a different life for his family in the United States
• The life lessons he learned from his professional trombonist and conductor father
• The power of intuition and trusting your gut
• Why being interesting to other people should be the ultimate goal for any artist
• The current situation in Venezuela and how that affects him as a person and an artist
• Winning the 2020 Latin Grammy for Best Classical Album
• Collaborating with Sam Pilafian on that album which ended up being the final chapter in Sam’s illustrious career

You can find show notes, links and this episode’s Easter eggs on the Pedal Note Media website: http://www.pedalnotemedia.com/

For instant access to the complete back catalog of exclusive bonus content including extra interviews with guests, additional content from Lance and Andrew like the Music Practice Coach Show and the Jacobs Quotes Podcast, become a Patreon patron of the show today: https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies.

TBJ153: Dave Krehbiel on his new book, “Through the door: A Horn-Player’s Journey”, performance anxiety, dyslexia, and staying in the moment.

You can find show notes, links and this episode’s Easter eggs on the Pedal Note Media website: http://www.pedalnotemedia.com/tbj/blog/tbj153-dave-kriehbiel

For instant access to the complete back catalog of exclusive bonus content including extra interviews with guests, additional content from Lance and Andrew like the Music Practice Coach Show and the Jacobs Quotes Podcast, become a Patreon patron of the show today: https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies.

Chanell Crichlow on career diversity, musicians as artists, and how to develop production chops.

You can find show notes, links and this episode’s Easter eggs on the Pedal Note Media website: http://www.pedalnotemedia.com/tbj/blog/tbj152-chanell-crichlow-2

For instant access to the complete back catalog of exclusive bonus content including extra interviews with guests, additional content from Lance and Andrew like the Music Practice Coach Show and the Jacobs Quotes Podcast, become a Patreon patron of the show today: https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies.

Andrew and Lance give thanks! Again! Thank you to our listeners, to our wonderful guests, and to everyone who helps make The Brass Junkies a reality!

You can find show notes, links and this episode’s Easter eggs on the Pedal Note Media website: http://www.pedalnotemedia.com/tbj/blog/

For instant access to the complete back catalog of exclusive bonus content including extra interviews with guests, additional content from Lance and Andrew like the Music Practice Coach Show and the Jacobs Quotes Podcast, become a Patreon patron of the show today: https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies.

Jens Lindemann on honesty, teaching at UCLA, and how to deal with nerves.

You can find show notes, links and this episode’s Easter eggs on the Pedal Note Media website: http://www.pedalnotemedia.com/tbj/blog/tbj150

For instant access to the complete back catalog of exclusive bonus content including extra interviews with guests, additional content from Lance and Andrew like the Music Practice Coach Show and the Jacobs Quotes Podcast, become a Patreon patron of the show today: https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies.

TBJ149: Demondrae Thurman from the Euphonium Workshop

Experience Demondrae's clinic from the Pedal Note Media Euphonium Workshop. We wanted to share with you one of the clinics given by the world class artists.

You can still sign up to experience the entire Euphonium Workshop! The videos are live until January 1st.

Sign up here:

https://pedalnotemedia.thinkific.com/courses/euphonium-workshop

You can find show notes, links and this episode’s Easter eggs on the Pedal Note Media website: http://www.pedalnotemedia.com/tbj/blog/tbj147

For instant access to the complete back catalog of exclusive bonus content including extra interviews with guests, additional content from Lance and Andrew like the Music Practice Coach Show and the Jacobs Quotes Podcast, become a Patreon patron of the show today: https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies

TBJ148: Andrew and Lance speak to Abby and Scott about the Media Makers Workshop as well as their own social media ventures.

You can find show notes, links and this episode’s Easter eggs on the Pedal Note Media website: http://www.pedalnotemedia.com/tbj/blog/tbj148-mmw

For instant access to the complete back catalog of exclusive bonus content including extra interviews with guests, additional content from Lance and Andrew like the Music Practice Coach Show and the Jacobs Quotes Podcast, become a Patreon patron of the show today: https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies

TBJ147: Andrew and Lance revisit the bonus interview, with Sam Pilfian from December of 2018. Originally only available to Patreon patrons, we wanted to share the amazing interview with Sam to a wider audience. Enjoy!

You can find show notes, links and this episode’s Easter eggs on the Pedal Note Media website: http://www.pedalnotemedia.com/tbj/blog/tbj147

For instant access to the complete back catalog of exclusive bonus content including extra interviews with guests, additional content from Lance and Andrew like the Music Practice Coach Show and the Jacobs Quotes Podcast, become a Patreon patron of the show today: https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies

Mike Roylance, Principal Tuba of the Boston Symphony Orchestra on gigs during Covid-19, playing for Disney, and life as an orchestral tubist in a major symphony orchestra.

You can find show notes, links and this episode’s Easter eggs on the Pedal Note Media website: http://www.pedalnotemedia.com/tbj/blog/tbj146

Check out the offerings from Hitz Academy and see if it is right for you!: www.hitzacademy.com

For instant access to the complete back catalog of exclusive bonus content including extra interviews with guests, additional content from Lance and Andrew like the Music Practice Coach Show and the Jacobs Quotes Podcast, become a Patreon patron of the show today: https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies.

TBJ145: Tom Hooten, principal trumpet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic on transparency, air direction and coyotes. Trumpet master Tom Hooten joined Andrew & Lance to discuss how he has taken advantage of his time during quarantine to become an even better player, teacher and musician.

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ144: Legendary horn player and teacher Marty Hackleman on All Star Brass, poetry and fire tornadoes. Marty joins The Brass Junkies for a second time to share some amazing stories, including a very honest explanation of how he decided to end his playing career.

LINKS

• https://info.umkc.edu/cmad-roohorns/martin-hackleman/

• http://www.bravinntech.com/trumpetjenswebsite/all-star-brass.html

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ143: Brittany Lasch, Trombone Professor at Bowling Green State University on Covid recovery, Star Wars and Goal Setting. Brittany Lasch shared her incredible story about losing an Easter gig and getting Covid, a bad tradeoff.

LINKS

• https://www.brittanylasch.com/
• https://www.bgsu.edu/musical-arts/faculty-and-staff/brittany-lasch.html
• https://www.astralartists.org/artist/brittany-lasch/
• https://michiganopera.org/

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ142: Chris Martin, Principal Trumpet with the New York Philharmonic on auditions, fundamentals, and 340 mouthpieces. Really. Master trumpeter Chris Martin joins Andrew & Lance to explain how he landed two of the best gigs in the world.

LINKS

• Chris' page
• NY Phil bio page
• Juilliard page
• Yamaha Artist page
• TBJ63 with Mike Martin

Full show notes at pedalnotemedia.com (including Lance's show notes/Easter eggs).

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Subscribe to our brand new YouTube channel!
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!
• Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ141: Quotes from the 2020 TBJ Academy Summer Workshop. Andrew & Lance highlight some of their favorite quotes from Donna Parkes, JD Shaw, Mary Bowden, Tage Larsen, Jen Montone Demondrae Thurman, and Richard White.

We had an amazing week at The Brass Junkies Academy Summer Workshop! 20 amazing hours with the best of the best in an extremely informative and powerful five-day run.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!!

We've decided to add an additional TBJASW BONUS DAY on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, featuring trumpet soloist Rex Richardson, Chris Castellanos, french horn with Boston Brass, and an additional hang with a special surprise guest! If you have already signed up for the course, this day is TOTALLY FREE for you! If not, head to brassjunkies.academy and sign up today, using the offer code summerbonus to get the live bonus day AND access to recordings of the previous 20 hours of content for $59 through September 1.

In case you forgot, here were the artists for the original workshop:

• Trumpet
  • Tage Larsen
  • Mary Bowden
  • Jose Sibaja
• Horn
  • Jen Montone
  • Jeff Scott
  • JD Shaw
• Trombone
  • Joe Alessi
  • John Lofton
  • Donna Parkes
• Euphonium
  • Demondrae Thurman
  • Gail Robertson
  • Hiram Diaz
• Tuba
  • Carol Jantsch
  • Patrick Sheridan
  • Richard White
• Hangs (too many folks to list them all, here's three)
  • Jim Nova
  • Michael Parker
  • Composer Pete Meechan

Now onto this episode.

We had a hard time picking from among a gazillion awesome quotes but found some we thought you'd enjoy. Here's the rundown:

• Donna Parkes on:
• • Getting honest about why we do what we do
  • This current time is a chance for us to get back to that "why"
• JD Shaw on:
• • Warming up not just because we are supposed to
  • Tailoring it to what we have to play
• Mary Bowden on:
• • Now’s the time to get organized about your practicing
  • Making a list of the things you’re great at (and the things you’re not so great at)
• Tage Larsen on:
• • Not waiting to get lucky when taking auditions
  • Learning that they are a process
• Jen Montone on:
• • Consistency in auditions
  • Control over your mind - so that you have control over your body - so you can do the closest you can to your best
• Demondrae Thurman on:
• • Nerves
  • Trusting your preparation
• Richard A. White on:
• • Learning to pick yourself up
  • Learning to trust yourself

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ140: John Lofton, Bass Trombone with the Los Angeles Philharmonic on YOLO, diversity in the arts, and a crazy trip to Venezuela. John Lofton is a great guy and thoughtful musician and shared some great insights and ideas with Andrew & Lance.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Oh yeah, and Lance
• Carol dissed Lance
• John starting with the LA Phil officially in 2008 but played as a long term sub starting in 2004
• How the long term sub thing works for or against you
• It can be a challenge for black players if they don't know you as a person
• McGurk Effect
• Audition committees wield a lot of power
• Committees can sometimes tend to look for alter egos
• Diversity in the arts
• The recent tragedies and the response
• This creates an opportunity for orchestras in how they present themselves
• LA Phil tour to Venezuela
• Impact of El Sistema
• YOLA
• Resident Fellows Program at the LA Phil
• Cultural relevance with orchestras and the cities they serve
• Andrew at a James Brown concert
• John seeing an orchestral concert in Jr High in Philadelphia, getting the bug but seeing the lack of diversity and how/when that changed in the Philadelphia Orchestra
• The challenge of getting to a critical mass
• The comparisons with women joining professional orchestras
• Herd immunity from idiots
• Lift Every Voice project with Wycliffe and Jim Nova
• Safety concerns when on tour in Venezuela
• Music teaching in Venezuela coming from a place of love
• Alternating Mahler Symphonies with the Bolivar Orchestra
• LA Phil plans for the fall
• Fire-hosing content to the internet
• Michael Parker is remarkable, let him know!
• John's upcoming session in The Brass Junkies Academy Summer Workshop

LINKS

• John's LA Phil bio page
• Bob Cole Conservatory bio page
• Mendez Brass Institute bio page
• McGurk Effect YouTube vid
• Lift Every Voice And Sing YouTube vid

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

From his bio:

A native of Philadelphia and a graduate of the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, JOHN LOFTON began his professional career as Bass Trombonist with the State Orchestra of Mexico. After his years in Toluca, Mexico, Lofton moved to Hawaii to perform with the Honolulu Symphony and later became the Bass Trombonist of the Phoenix Symphony. In 2008 he was appointed to the Los Angeles Philharmonic as Bass Trombonist. In addition to his responsibilities with the LA Phil, he has toured and recorded with the Cleveland Orchestra and performed with the San Francisco Symphony as well as the Santa Fe Opera. Lofton’s musical interests also include chamber music; he has performed with several brass quintets and is a faculty member at the Rafael Mendez Brass Institute featuring the Summit Brass. He teaches at California State University Long Beach, and has students from several L.A. colleges. In addition to appearing on several sound stage recordings, Lofton has produced both solo and chamber recordings.

In today's episode, we cover:

• Lance is leaving town for two days and everyone is happy about it
• Welcome to Abby Lannan to the Pedal Note Media team!
• Doc's various names
• JustNix is yummy!
• Rage Medley viral video hit over 120M views
• New Pedal Note Media podcast, "Doc Nix Talks To..."
• Air Bud and Beethoven
• Listening and learning
• Black Lives Matter
• Driveway chats w/Doc Nix while Andrew's kid made minivan inventions
• Recent Doc FB post
• Continually Winded
• Miscommunication
• The pain of people missing the point
• Can you shore me up
• Being assaulted by a skinhead in Altenberg, Germany
• Three Kings movie, Michael Jackson story
• Being on the train in NYC encountering the skinhead's doppelganger
• Realizing he wasn't powerless
• The influence Slick Rick and Doug E Fresh
• Trying to unlock the power of the composer
• Don't just walk in their footsteps, seek what they sought
• Rapping in his recital at U of M
• Black Music Matters, Ed Sarath
• Performing on stage with Nas and the National Symphony
• Dave Porter's encouragement
• Founding a fife and drum corps at George Mason University
• Green Machine as an umbrella for a great array of music-making groups at GMU
• Getting away from "sameness" in the university music curriculum
• Music school recruiting event in NYC
• Producer=Composer story
• Drum corps story
• GMU basketball player story
• His time at Yale as a legacy
• Just keep doing work
• Lance on Tuba and Turntables
• FB tuba-euph groups
• Deciphering systems
• Why his tubas smell like burgers and beer
• Crediting Michael Parker for the turntable idea
• Embracing the true meaning of Black Lives Matter
• Commissioning project featuring black composers writing solo pieces for each of the brass instruments
• Working with the Association for the Transformation of Musical Academe
• Yale document on music in inner-city schools

LINKS:

• Doc's George Mason page
• Green Machine site
• Black Music Matters
• Lance on Tuba and Turntables

NOTE: Weston Sprott also generously shared some resources for everyone hoping to learn more. Thank you, Weston!

• His own articles
• • Advancing Inclusion
  • Finding A New Path Forward
• Recommended Books (note: we do not receive a % of any Amazon purchases)
• • Alexander, Michelle. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Color Blindness
  • Catlin, Karen. Better Allies. Everyday Actions to Create Inclusive, Engaging Workplaces
  • Coates, Ta-Nehisi. Between the World and Me
  • DeAngelo, Robyn. White Fragility: Why It’s so Hard for White People to Talk About Race
  • Kendi, Ibram. How to be an Antiracist

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

Doc's bio:

Serving as Director of Campus Life Ensembles and Collaborative Arts, and as an Associate Professor of Music, Dr. Michael W. Nickens (a.k.a. Doc Nix) is most recognized as the leader of the “Green Machine”, which in 2015 was named the #1 pep band in college basketball by the NCAA and commended by the Senate and House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia. In addition, Dr. Nickens launched Mason’s fife and drum corps and WGI world-champion drumline, and oversees Mason’s winterguard. This collection of performing units, known as the “Green Machine Ensembles”, are internationally known for their thrilling, high-energy performances at Mason ceremonies and basketball games, professional sports games and events (Capitals, Nationals, Wizards, and Redskins), community events (Celebrate Fairfax, and the Nike Women's’ Half Marathon), and marching competitions, as well as their popular internet videos that have over 100 million views collectively.

Dr. Nickens was named the 2016 Faculty Member of the Year by the George Mason University Alumni Association. He served as a Faculty Representative to the Board of Visitors, Chair of the Faculty of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, Chair of the CVPA Diversity Committee, and as a member of the School of Music’s Graduate Committee. Having joined the faculty of Mason’s School of Music in fall 2006, he has taught courses in sight-singing/ear training, popular music in America, improvisatory music, brass methods, applied tuba, composition, chamber music, and jazz improvisation, as well as collaborations with Mason’s School of Dance. In addition, he was a co-founder and co-conductor of the Colonial Athletic Association’s “Breakfast with the Bands” intercollegiate pep band showcase.

During summers, he has taught tuba and euphonium, conducting, jazz performance, composition, improvisation, chamber music, large ensemble performance, and theory at the Performing Arts Institute at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, Pennsylvania, the Music, Art, and Theatre (MAT) Camp in Evanston, Wyoming, and the Northern Arizona University Music Camp in Flagstaff, Arizona, and at Mason’s Potomac Arts Academy. He has also coached a professional marching ensemble, “Mix It Up”, at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia. Dr. Nickens was born in Washington DC and grew up in the Fairfax County Public Schools in Alexandria, Virginia. He completed his academic degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, Yale University, and the University of Michigan.

TBJ138: Julie Landsman on being the first woman in the brass section of The Met, the teaching of Carmine Caruso and JFL. Legendary is a term that gets thrown around a lot. Sometimes, it is deserved. This is one of those times.

We're playing around with the show notes organization. Let us know your thoughts!

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Julie being on our initial “wish list” of guests
• Working with both Sam and Mark Gould in a quintet
• Trio with Dave Taylor and Gould
• Played Principal horn for the Met for 25 years
• Andrew Balio (née Anil) and the sheep
• Getting into The Met in 1985
• Working with a bunch of dudes
• First woman in the brass section at The Met
• Only a few of them welcomed her, most did not
• Her only defense was to outplay them
• Leading by example
• Challenges growing up that helped shape her abilities, drive, and approach
• Working to be heard and developing her own voice
• Disaster at the banjo
• Joe Greco was her band director and led her to the horn
• Carmine Caruso was brought in to help out her band program which continued to cement her approach and drive
• Howard Howard from The Met as another major influence
• Hearing Denis Brain recordings
• Caruso method, no-nonsense approach
• Paralysis through analysis
• The precision timing of movement
• A platform for your musicality
• The importance of repetition
• JFL
• Warburton Mouthpiece, JFL model is on the way
• Missing playing with The Met (she left in 2010)
• Taking a leave of absence when she turned 50
• The Rule of 80
• The experience of watching students succeed and perform with them
• Pilkington playing injured
• Starting to teach at the University of Houston and Rice when she played with the Houston Symphony
• Giving and getting with and from teaching
• Asking for help and giving help when it is needed
• Deciding at 13 to become Principal at The Met
• Moving to California to teach at USC
• Teaching on both coasts for two years before moving to Southern California permanently
• Take a chance, follow a dream
• Meeting Jens for the first time

LINKS:

• Julie's website

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

Julie's bio:

Principal horn with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra for 25 years, Julie Landsman is a distinguished performing artist and educator. She received a bachelor of music degree from The Juilliard School in 1975 under the tutelage of James Chambers and Ranier De Intinis, and has served as a member of the Juilliard faculty since 1989.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Landsman achieved her dream of becoming principal of the MET in 1985 and held that position until 2010. She has also shared her talent to many other ensembles within the city as a current member of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and having performed and recorded with the New York Philharmonic. Additionally, she has performed with numerous groups outside the city, including her co-principal position with the Houston Symphony, substitute principal position with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and recent performances with The Philadelphia Orchestra as Associate principal horn, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, principal horn.

She has recorded for RCA, Deutsche Gramophone, CRI, Nonesuch and Vanguard labels, and is most famous for her performance of Wagner’s “Ring” cycle as solo horn with the MET Opera under the direction of James Levine. Landsman has performed as chamber musician at many festivals and concert series, including the Marlboro Music Festival, Chamber Music Northwest, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Sarasota Music Festival, La Jolla Summerfest, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she appeared as a guest artist with the Guarneri Quartet. In the summers she performs and teaches at the Music Academy of the West , the Sarasota Music Festival, and the Aspen Music Festival.

World renowned as a master teacher, Julie Landsman holds faculty positions at The Juilliard School and Bard College Conservatory, and teaches frequently as a guest at the Curtis Institute. She has presented master classes at such distinguished institutions as The Colburn School, Curtis Institute, Eastman School of Music, Mannes College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, USC Thornton School of Music, Cal State Long Beach, Rowan University, University of Oklahoma, and University of Southern Mississippi, to name a few. She is also a visiting master teacher at the New World Symphony in Miami. Her international presence includes master classes in Norway, Sweden, and Israel. In 2016 Landsman was an honored jury member at the ARD horn competition in Munich, Germany.

Her students hold positions in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Opera and Ballet Orchestras, Washington National Opera Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Colorado Symphony, and the American Brass Quintet. She recently received the “Pioneer Award” from the International Women’s Brass Conference and was a featured artist at the International Horn Society Conference in 2012 and 2015.

Her recent series of Carmine Caruso lessons on YouTube have led to further fame and renown among today’s generation of horn players. Landsman currently resides in Nyack, New York.

NOTE: Registration is open for The Brass Junkies Academy Summer Workshop, a five-day workshop with 15 of the best brass players in the world hosted by Andrew Hitz & Lance LaDuke. Each day features three clinics plus a daily hang with special guests hosted by The Brass Junkies. The workshop is open to all ages but recommended for high school and above. The workshop runs from June 22-26, 2020.

More information can be found at brassjunkies.academy including how to get $30 off the $109 price for a LIMITED TIME!!!

TBJ138: Demondrae Thurman on Sotto Voce, Indiana University AND the Brass Junkies Academy Summer Academy. Demondrae returns to share the origins of Sotto Voce and explains his unorthodox job offer from Indiana University.

From his website:

Demondrae Thurman is considered one of the stars of the formidable generation of brass soloists. His euphonium playing has been described as “awe inspiring”, and he is touted as “an amazing musician”. Demondrae has a firm international reputation as a euphonium soloist having performed in Europe, Asia and throughout North America. Many of Americas premiere colleges and universities have hosted him as a performer and teacher and he continues to be in extremely high demand. Over the last eighteen years, Demondrae has been an invited guest artist/clinician at many of the world’s prestigious low brass festivals including the International Tuba/Euphonium Conference, U.S. Army Band Tuba and Euphonium Conference and theLeonard Falcone Competition.

Demondrae’s conducting career began in 1999 when he co-founded the wind ensemble at Alabama State University. Since that time, he has appeared as a guest conductor with numerous wind bands, brass bands, and symphony orchestras. His symphony orchestra debut came in 2008 conducting Scheherazade by Rimsky Korsakov with the Huxford Symphony Orchestra of the University of Alabama where he also served as its conductor from 2011-2013. He is currently in his 7th season as Resident Assistant Conductor of the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra.

Demondrae is also an active chamber musician. He plays first euphonium and trombone in the highly regarded Sotto Voce Quartet which tours extensively. The quartet has released four recordings; all of which have received stellar reviews. Viva Voce!: The Complete Quartets of Johns Stevens won the International Tuba/Euphonium Association award for best chamber music recording in 2006. The quartet has been featured several times on American Public Media’s, Performance Today. He also plays first baritone horn in the Brass Band of Battle Creek, a British brass band comprised of many of the world’s best brass and percussion performers. In addition to his chamber music work, Demondrae is in high demand as a euphonium/bass trumpet specialist for symphony orchestras. He has performed with the New York Philharmonic, Atlanta Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony, Eastern Music Festival Orchestra, Oregon Symphony, and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

In addition to the Sotto Voce Quartet recordings, Demondrae released his first solo recording on the Summit Records label in 2005 entitled, Soliloquies. It received a 9/9 out of 10/10 from classicstoday.com and he was referred to as “having earned (his) stripes as one of the premiere euphonium players in the world”. Showing his dedication to new music, all of the music on the recording was written for him or with his playing in mind. His second album, Songs of a Wayfarer, was released in 2011. The latest recording, Snapshots: The Spirit of Collaboration, was released in March of 2014. Demondrae can also be heard on recordings with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Brass Band of Battle Creek, and the New South Jazz Orchestra.

Currently, Demondrae is Professor of Music at Samford University where he teaches low brass and conducting while serving as conductor of the wind ensemble and Director of Graduate Studies.

Demondrae Thurman is a Miraphone Performing Artist and plays exclusively the Miraphone 5050 Ambassador “Edition” euphonium which was designed specifically for him. He also plays the custom “Demondrae” model mouthpiece manufactured by Warburton Music Products and is a Shires Trombone Performing Artist.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Colonial Tuba Quartet Competition
• Sweet Child O Mine
• Gary Bird
• The beginnings of Sotto Voce
• Consequences
• Army Workshop gig helping move them down the road
• Getting kicked out of a meeting room
• Lance is(was) a bigwig
• Personnel changes over the years
• 25th Anniversary plans
• Changes to the tuba quartet repertoire over the years
• Euphonium quartets
• Indiana University
• Brass Junkies Academy

LINKS:

• Demondrae's site
• Indiana University bio page
• Sotto Voce page

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ136: Boston Brass joins Andrew & Lance sharing stories both new and old. The five current members of Boston Brass catch us up with how the quintet is dealing with quarantine, swaps stories, and future plans.

From their website:

For 31 years, Boston Brass has set out to establish a one-of-a-kind musical experience. Performing exciting classical arrangements to burning jazz standards, Boston Brass treats audiences to a unique brand of entertainment captivating all ages. The ensemble’s lively repartee, touched with humor and personality, attempts to bridge the ocean of classical formality to delight audiences in an evening of great music and boisterous fun. The philosophy of Boston Brass is to provide audiences with a wide selection of musical styles in unique arrangements, provided in a friendly and fun atmosphere.

Through over 100 performances each year, the members of Boston Brass play to audiences at concerts, educational venues, and jazz festivals. In addition to solo performances, Boston Brass regularly performs with orchestras, wind ensemble, brass bands, marching bands, and a variety of other ensembles. They have performed in 49 states and 30 countries and have conducted master classes around the world including sessions and residencies at the Eastman School of Music, The Julliard School, Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, Peabody Conservatory of Music, University of North Texas, Royal Academy of Music in London, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory at the National University of Singapore, Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts and Mahidol University in Bangkok.

Boston Brass is a Yamaha Performing Group and has been featured educators and performers at the Mid West Band and Orchestra Clinic, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, Japan Band Clinic, Music Educators National Conferences, American Bandmaster Association Conference, The American Band College, Western International Band Clinic and Texas Bandmasters Association Convention.

Boston Brass has been featured on The CBS Early Show, National Public Radio’s Performance Today, The Great American Brass Band Festival and has recorded many diverse albums. Their latest recording “Concerto Grosso” is a collaboration with Eric Rombach-Kendall and University of New Mexico Wind Ensemble, “Reminiscing” is a tribute to Rolf Smedvig of the Empire Brass, “Rewired” features new arrangements by the members of Boston Brass, Latin Nights, features a collection of some of the greatest classical and jazz works by Latin composers and performers and features the legendary drummer Steve Gadd, the beautiful voice of Talita Real, percussion and guitar. Other albums include Ya Gotta Try, featuring music from Horace Silver, Chick Corea and Dizzy Gillespie, produced by legendary jazz recording genius Rudy van Gelder and Within Earshot, featuring classical works by Shostakovich, Ginastera, Dvorak, Liszt, and others.

Boston Brass has two holiday recordings, Christmas Bells are Swingin’, and The Stan Kenton Christmas Carols, featuring the Boston Brass All-Stars Big Band playing the truly phenomenal charts made popular by the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Boston Brass tours a vibrant holiday show each year featuring many of the charts from these two albums, combined with a variety of solo and combo selections and some fun surprises, which has quickly established the show as a perennial audience favorite.

2011 marked the 25th Anniversary of Boston Brass and was celebrated with the “25 Fanfares Project,” wherein 25 fanfares were premiered by composers from all over the country. Boston Brass also premiered a new major commission by noted wind ensemble composer Brian Balmages and new arrangements by the legendary Sam Pilafian. Additionally, Boston Brass was very excited to have the opportunity to collaborate in the 2010/2011 season with the fabulous Imani Winds in a program entitled “Sketches of Spain,” featuring the music of Miles Davis and Gil Evans. In the 2012/2013 season, the quintet began touring their “Notes from the Balcony” program with the Enso String Quartet. The program features music based on “Romeo and Juliet”.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Taps
• Boston Brass intros
• How they’re staying busy
• Planning for the future
• Videos by Jose, Chris, and Domingo
• Where they were when it all blew up
• Chris on a plane
• Will in Chicago
• Will leads a double life
• Jose’s teaching schedule
• Chris at Walmart in the cereal aisle
• Domingo taking advantage of the downtime
• Domingo reconnecting with his roots in Latin America
• Domingo working with Sam on a solo project just before he passed
• “Then fire me.”
• Sam’s impact in Boston Brass
• William replacing Sam in the group
• Chris Bill is sitting in Lance’s lap
• Brass Recording Project
• The Pickle Test
• New projects
• Jeff sigh
• “Blues for Sam” for the new Boston Brass album
• Busting Jeff’s chops for fun and profit
• Bose Wave radio
• Pray for Jens apron
• The Facebook
• Jeff ate a bug in Brazil
• Wichita leave-behind
• Random Christopher Bill

LINKS:

• Boston Brass site
• Yamaha Artist Page
• Pray for Jens merch!!!

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ135: Jeff Nelsen on Fearless Performance, habit formation and how Canadian Brass is responding to the international quarantine. Horn performer, teacher, and magician Jeff Nelsen joins The Brass Junkies for the second time to catch us up on his efforts to make art and help others.

From his bio:

Having grown up on a Canadian pig-farm, Jeff Nelsen's multiple non-porcine professions show him to be living proof that if you want it enough, you can have any dream. Jeff is living his dreams out loud and fearlessly! Jeff's approach to life and life coaching is the same. When he teaches, he mentors. Every choice we make helps create what we ultimately share when we approach a job interview, audition, exam, product launch, or social gathering. It doesn't matter whether those choices are made while building or sharing our performance, choices matter...and we only ever choose fear or love. This website helps Jeff publish and provide his creative replacements to fear-based choices for you.

In this fun and lively discussion, we discuss:

• Back wax
• Jeff Conner is Andrew's Dad old
• New Patreon effort, "Brass Junkies Sundays"
• James Markey's Mom's comment
• Andrew's wife's listening habits
• Will we let Jeff talk?
• Mood lighting
• Jeff's student can fly
• Jeff at American Band College with Lance last summer
• Magic
• Playing in lessons
• Building a vegetable garden
• Writing curriculum with a grad student
• Training in Thirds
• Building in Thirds
• Briefing in Thirds
• Shopping at Lowes
• 1st third Build
• 2nd third Share
• 3rd third Be
• Bringing the ding
• Connection-full
• Magic line performances
• Shrinking the quality gap
• Collecting opinions
• Playing for Chalie Deval
• The Illusion of Maturity
• The "Enough or Not Enough" line
• Non-emotional critique
• Frustration and should
• Mental scale structures
• Mini golf
• Protactor humor
• The importance of sequence
• The importance of habit/routine/ritual
• Time takes time
• James Clear
• Push your butt up
• Nacho Libre
• Pass the Beer Nuts

Links:

• Jeff's site
• Jeff's IU page
• Canadian Brass page
• Jeff's first appearance on The Brass Junkies
• Jeff's George Mason masterclass

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ134: Rex Martin on online lessons, Arnold Jacobs and tuba mute hatred. Master pedagogue (and Andrew's former teacher) and tuba soloist Rex Martin shares stories and insights with Andrew & Lance from his new home in Bern, Switzerland. From his Wikipedia Page: Rex Martin is one of the world's virtuoso tuba players, appearing on over 70 symphony orchestra recordings. He primarily studied under Edward Livingston and Arnold Jacobs, though he also took lessons with Edward Kleinhammer. Martin is Professor of Tuba at the Bern University of the Arts in Bern, Switzerland, and Professor of Music Emeritus at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He was raised in Stronghurst, Illinois and graduated from high school in Chillicothe, Illinois. He married Margreth Trümpi of Ennenda, Switzerland in 1989. In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Andrew's fear of a future grade
• The bursar's office
• Phish tickets
• Retirement from Northwestern
• Wife/Life in Bern, Switzerland
• Teaching at the Bern University of the Arts
• Joining faculty at the Royal Academy in London (Distinguished International Professor of Brass)
• Dean Martin
• Gold Diggers
• Andrew late for his lesson story
• Rex hates lateness
• Rex and Arnold Jacobs
• Studying with Ed Livingston at Illinois State
• "But let's work on your tone"
• The disconnect between Arnold Jacob's legend and Rex's experience
• High standards and psychology
• Developing the ability to hear low pitches
• The influence of Bud Herseth and Ed Kleinhammer
• "Tonight you can have as many beers as you want!"
• Andrew playing for Mallorie Thompson
• Ed Livingston's influence
• Andrew hearing Rex playing the Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto
• Muted tuba
• Mean Rex
• Mike Roylance international online tuba hang
• Teaching online (what works and what doesn't)
• Gr8
• In online lessons, the use of scales and deep listening assignments
• Knuckleheads practicing on Facebook
• Tokyo 7-11 and Tom Waits
• Jen Snow
• Keeping time as a tuba player

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ133: Christopher Bill on his amazing and amazingly powerful guide to remote music education. And bidets. Christopher is back for another interview with a deep dive discussion of how to learn and teach in the age of social isolation.

To save you some scrolling, here's a link to the oft-mentioned documents:

• Christopher's guide to remote music education
• Christopher's multitrack editing 101 document

From his bio:

Christopher is best known as the most subscribed brass musician on YouTube. He’s a trombonist, singer, and multi-instrumentalist based outside of NYC.

Christopher’s YouTube Channel of all-trombone arrangements of popular songs has been gaining popularity since the spring of 2014 when a cover of Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” where Christopher uses a looping station to compose the song on the spot went viral. His videos have amassed over 35 million views and a following of over 250,000 subscribers. In April of 2014, Christopher independently released his first cover album, Breakthrough, which was followed by his Christmas album, Smiling’s My Favorite. More recently, Christopher released an original pop album called Half Man, Half Machine which mixes acoustic sounds with electronic instruments. He is the Youth Workshop Coordinator of the International Trombone Festival and a marketing consultant for the International Trombone Association. In 2018, his collaboration with the International Trombone Festival of Bohemian Rhapsody went viral.

He has been playing piano since he was 6 years old, trombone since he was 10, and he has been composing/arranging since he was 12. Christopher has a Bachelor of Music for classical trombone performance from the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music in New York. While at the conservatory he studied with critically acclaimed trombonists Weston Sprott (Metropolitan Opera), Denson Paul-Pollard (Metropolitan Opera), John Fedchock (Grammy Nominated Jazz Trombonist), and the absolutely incomparable Timothy Albright (Atlantic Brass Quintet).

Christopher enjoys a busy schedule of performances, clinics, and masterclasses. In addition to producing a new video every Saturday for his YouTube Channel, he often performs at festivals such as the American Trombone Workshop, Midwest Clinic, Texas Bandmasters Association, Con Brio Festivals, Conn-Selmer Institute, Western International Band Clinic, TMEA, the NAMM Show, and the International Trombone Festival.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Herds of Antelope
• 5 year olds
• Impact of the virus on our lives
• Impact of the virus on music careers
• Bidet
• 2pm alarms
• Recording an album in Arizona
• Chris' guide to remote music education
• How it came about
• Sleep schedules
• How his document could change (our corner of) the world
• Trombone Overdub Death Match: Jim Nova vs. Christopher Bill
• The Milli Vanilli of trombone
• Breakdown of the concepts from the document
• Online lessons
• Assessment
• Masterclasses
• Jam of the week/etude of the week
• Recording assignments
• Research projects
• Virtual recitals
• Watch parties
• Social media challenges
• Virtual choir recording projects
• Warmups
• Pushups
• Broken fingers
• Work smart and take care of yourself

LINKS

• Christopher's guide to remote music education
• Christopher's multitrack editing 101 document
• Personal site
• Christopher's first TBJ appearance
• James Clear, "Atomic Habits"

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ132: Phil Snedecor on diagnosing playing issues, his new publications and the challenges of small-holed instruments. Phil returns to the show to share even more wisdom and shares takeaways from his studies with Arnold Jacobs.

From his bio:

Phil Snedecor is Associate Professor of Trumpet at the Hartt School (of the University of Hartford) in Hartford, CT, and a former faculty member at The Peabody Conservatory, George Mason University and at Towson University. He has written a series of brass etude books that are required repertoire at many colleges and conservatories. His arrangements and compositions have been performed throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Phil attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he received the prestigious Performers Certificate and was a member of the premiere brass quintet, the Canterbury Brass. While earning his degrees in trumpet performance and literature, he also studied arranging and composition with Professor Rayburn Wright, formerly arranger for Radio City Music Hall. Mr. Snedecor is a former member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and has held one-year positions with the National Symphony, the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra and the Baltimore Opera. He is Principal Trumpet in the Harrisburg (PA) Symphony Orchestra and former Co-Principal Trumpet in the Concert Artists of Baltimore. Mr. Snedecor has performed and toured throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.

In 1993 Mr. Snedecor and National Symphony Principal Trombonist Milton Stevens co-founded The Washington Symphonic Brass, a 17-piece professional brass ensemble. They perform regularly for the Washington National Cathedral, St. Matthew’s Cathedral, the Basilica at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and with the Washington Choral Arts Society at the Kennedy Center. They were the official instrumental ensemble for the Papal visit of 2008 in Washington DC and are heard regularly in their own concert series in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Their critically acclaimed CDs are available on the Summit and Warner Classics labels. Phil’s innovative programming and arranging for the WSB has led to several guest conductor appearances, most recently with the River City Brass Band (Pittsburgh) and the Breckenridge (CO) Brass.

As a show player, he has performed in the touring productions of Guys & Dolls, Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan, Evita and West Side Story. He has recorded under the RCA, CBS, Gothic, Koss, and Summit labels. Phil’s solo CDs, The Lyrical Trumpet I and II are also available on the Summit Label.

In 2012, Mr. Snedecor founded the DC Pops Orchestra, a 30-piece ensemble featuring some of the best Jazz and crossover artists in the region. This group has provided music for the elite of Washington in prestigious venues such as the National Building Museum and Mellon Auditorium.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• #picklesforjeff
• Phil's triumphant return
• His gig at Hartt
• Hearing auditions
• Diagnosing problems with new students
• Studying with Arnold Jacobs
• Helping students become more efficient
• Effortless playing
• Translating Jacobs' ideas to trumpet playing
• Small-holed instruments
• Efficiency vs. effort
• Moo-ing into the horn
• Faux whistling
• No exploding heads
• Tuda
• Sean Reusch FB post
• Parker Mouthpieces, what kind of hole can we design for you?
• Phil's new tuba book
• Dave Zerkel
• Phil's other etude books
• The difference in how he marketed the two tuba books
• The importance of video in promoting his materials
• The gear he used to make his new videos and recordings
• Multi-clam clips
• Editing Engenuity by Anthony DiLorenzo's trumpet concerto with the Harrisburg Symphony
• Teaching himself video editing
• Life is figuring stuff out
• Curiosity is key
• Creating your own "thing"
• The importance of asking questions
• Ego-based fear
• Banff
• Wayne Gretzky

LINKS:

• Phil's website
• Phil's Hartt School bio
• Washington Symphonic Brass
• Music of New England
• PAS Music
• TBJ46 with Phil

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ131: Listener's Choice: Andrew & Lance warm up to the idea of warming up and other brass nerd stuff. Two listeners' questions are featured, covering warmups and practice routines.

Thank you to Susan and Mark for these great questions!

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Barking dogs
• Andrew's dog can read
• Fancy playgrounds
• Lance can't remember anything
• Recording the TBJ theme song with Clarke and Sam
• Mike, I mean Michael Parker
• Andrew hanging with folks at the Army Tuba-Euphonium Workshop
• Sare from Bremerton, Washington
• Lick flexibility
• Lance's warmup
• Saying nice things about JD
• Mr. Kim and the last-minute cha-cha
• Length of time for the warmup
• "Can I play a couple of notes?"
• Audition day at Shenandoah Conservatory
• Pat Sheridan's morning class in Arizona
• Andrew's warmup
• Andrew's beautiful singing voice
• Tips from Marty Hackleman and Joe Alessi
• Smooth Air Movement = SAM!!!
• Michael Davis' 20-Minute Warmup Book
• Jacobs Special Studies from the Hal Leonard book
• Arbans page 1
• Routine vs. Warmup
• Warmup differences between developing players and mature players
• When to change up your routine
• Mark from Toronto
• Lance's practice schedule while in college
• Jim Nova is a cracker-jack trombone player
• Andrew's practice habits
• The importance of practicing consistently as a beginner
• Andrew and Lance playing in every group that would have them
• The importance of listening
• Mahler jams

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ130: Gretchen Renshaw James on conducting, diversity and playing tuba in Seraph Brass. She eloquently explains how she balances teaching low brass, conducting, arranging and touring.

From her bio:

Gretchen Renshaw James enjoys a multifaceted career as a conductor, tuba and euphonium performer, and arranger. She is the Director of Bands/Applied Low Brass at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas; tubist with the internationally acclaimed Seraph Brass; Music Director of the award-winning Natural State Brass Band, based in Little Rock; and a published arranger with Potenza Music and Tuba-Euphonium Press. Prior to her time in central Arkansas, Gretchen completed a D.M.A. in Tuba Performance and M.M. in Wind/Orchestral Conducting at Michigan State University, where she was a University Distinguished Fellow. Previously, she earned degrees in Euphonium Performance from the University of Arkansas and Penn State University. As a tuba and euphonium performer, Gretchen has enjoyed success in major solo competitions including being a finalist in the Artist Tuba Competition at the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival and being named the Low Brass Winner of the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition. As an arranger, Gretchen has contributed a number of works for tuba-euphonium ensemble, solo tuba, and solo euphonium. Gretchen looks forward to continuing her varied musical career by remaining active as a tuba and euphonium performer and conductor of both bands and orchestras.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Being a conductor and player
• Velvet Brown
• Expanding her horizons from euphonium, adding tuba and conducting to increase her chances at getting a gig
• Penn State for undergrad in euphonium
• University of Arkansas with Ben Pierce
• Michigan State for a DMA in tuba and a MM in conducting
• Phil Sinder
• Mouthpiece buzzing
• "Notes on a line"
• Facebook post about her forthcoming three-year diversity project at Hendrix College
• Rob Deemer/Composer Diversity Database
• Fostering diversity in music
• Conducting in comparison to teaching and coaching in the tuba studio
• Conducting and the importance of leadership
• Adding Arkansas Tech to her plate
• Natural State Brass Band
• Balancing projects
• Stepping away from a project gracefully

LINKS

• Gretchen's website
• Hendrix College bio page
• Seraph Brass bio page
• Potenza Music
• Institute for Composer Diversity
• Colourfull Music

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• We just launched a brand new Brass Junkies newsletter! It will change your life. Like, it's life-changing! Subscribe today to stay in the loop on all things Brass Junkies!
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ129: Martin McCain on travel, creating new repertoire and BBQ. Trombone player and educator Martin McCain gives us a peek at his diverse and prolific career.

From his bio:

Global Music Award Gold Medal Winner and Grammy Award-nominated trombonist Martin McCain enjoys a career that spans an impressive scope of genres. A third-generation musician, he maintains a versatile performance schedule as a soloist, recording artist, chamber, orchestral and commercial musician. According to the International Trombone Association Journal, his playing has been described as "solid and masterful". McCain is in high demand as a performer and clinician throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia. His performances and arrangements have been broadcast on Austin, Knoxville, Tucson, Chicago, Toronto and Hong Kong's radio stations in addition to NPR's "Performance Today". Martin has appeared as a guest artist at the International Trombone Festival, Great American Brass Band Festival, Zagreb Brass Festival, Brazilian Trombone Festival and American Trombone Workshop. He is the leader of the award-winning jazz trombone ensemble, JazzBonez, a member of the highly-acclaimed Minor 4th Trombone Quartet and an Associate Artist with the Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass. Martin regularly performs in recital programs both as a soloist and as the McCain Duo with his wife, pianist Artina McCain. As an orchestral musician, Martin holds the position of Principal Bass Trombone for the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra. McCain regularly performs with the IRIS Orchestra, San Antonio Symphony, Austin Symphony and Memphis Symphony Orchestra in addition to several summer festival orchestras. He has performed with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Houston Symphony Orchestra, Amarillo Symphony, Charleston Symphony Orchestra and many regional orchestras. As a commercial musician, he performs with the NOW Jazz Orchestra, Memphis Jazz Orchestra and several national touring ensembles in addition to performances with the Frank Sinatra Jr. Orchestra.

McCain was a prize - winner twice in both the International Trombone Association's Donald Yaxley Solo Bass Trombone Competition and Kai Winding Jazz Trombone Ensemble Competition and twice in both of the American Trombone Workshop's National Bass Trombone Solo Competition and Jazz Trombone Ensemble Competition. He has been a featured soloist with the Croatian Army Wind Band, United States Army Concert Band "Pershing's Own" and the United States Army Brass Quintet. In addition to being heard on various recordings on the Summit Records, Naxos and Equilibrium labels, Martin has released three solo CDs Trombone Czar: Russian Treasures Recorded Live! (2012), Shades (2014) and Trombone Czar: The Extended Version(2015). Other recording credits include numerous movie and video game soundtracks in addition to commercial jingles. He is a four-time winner of the Global Music Awards and was featured as their “Emerging Artist” in an edition of Billboard magazine.

Martin is an Artist/Teacher of Trombone and the youngest faculty member to hold the rank of full professor at Texas State University. Under his leadership, the Trombone Choir and Jazz Trombone Ensembles have been invited to perform at the International Trombone Festival, American Trombone Workshop, Big 12 Trombone Conference and Texas Music Educators Association Convention on numerous occasions and have released two commercial recordings. Dr. McCain’s students have also been extremely successful in solo and ensemble competitions including the International Trombone Association competitions, the American Trombone Workshop competitions and the Big 12 Trombone Solo Competitions. In recognition of his teaching, he has received several citations including the 2019 College Achievement Award in Teaching, 2016 Presidential Distinction Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 2013 Dean Nominee for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching. His students have been accepted into some of the nation's most prestigious graduate programs such as the Juilliard School, Eastman School of Music, Yale University, Northwestern University, Manhattan School of Music and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He is also the founder/director of the Texas State Trombone Symposium. In addition to his duties at Texas State, Martin spends the summer on the faculty for the Austin Chamber Music Festival, Interharmony International Music Festival (Italy), Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, PRIZM International Chamber Music Festival, SliderAsia Music Festival (Hong Kong) and the English Brass Academy (Croatia).

Martin McCain is a performing artist for S.E. Shires, Reunion Blues Gig Bags and plays on the "McCain" signature mouthpiece series manufactured by Pickett Brass.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• His two homes
• Illustrious bass trombone players
• He and his wife both have cool gigs
• Phish Memphis BBQ
• Smoking meat
• Growing up in the Midwest
• More Smokers Than Trombone
• The 16-hour-10-hour smoke
• Fred Powell Dial-a-BBQ
• Being a third-generation musician
• Playing with the Memphis Symphony
• Last of the Mississippi Juke Joints
• Food
• His Dad's advice, "If you want to eat..."
• Starting on piano, switching to baritone
• Mo' Better Blues
• McCain Duo
• Piano prenup
• Creating new repertoire for the duo
• Sacred music (with a twist) project
• Mahidol University
• Bangkok and Asian travel
• Musical forest
• What, why and how he records album projects
• How projects get funded
• Jazz Bones
• Southern Miss Hub Bones
• The value of concentrated rehearsal time
• Playing with Boston Brass
• Recording the Kenton Christmas album

LINKS:

• Martin's site
• Texas State Trombone Studio page
• McCain Duo
• Last of the Mississippi Jukes movie

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• We just launched a brand new Brass Junkies newsletter! It will change your life. Like, it's life-changing! Subscribe today to stay in the loop on all things Brass Junkies!
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ128: Euphoniumist Chris Buckley of the US Army Band on growing up in Laredo, Texas, euphonium repertoire and his love of cooking. Chris Buckley is a great player and a great guy. This wide-ranging conversation included great information on the Army Band Tuba-Euphonium Workshop. That's a lot of greats.

From his bio:

SFC Christopher Buckley is one of the newest members of the United States Army Band. He grew up in a large family on the South Texas border. While in Texas he competed in several international euphonium solo competitions, including the Leonard Falcone International Solo Competition where he won 1st place in 2009. While at the University of North Texas he played in many professional ensembles including the Dallas Wind Symphony, Lone Star Wind Ensemble, and the Dallas Civic Wind Ensemble. He also performs on tuba and trombone in many jazz ensembles. He lives in Arlington, Virginia, with his wife Leah where they are constantly searching for Mexican food as good as the food in Texas. They live with two crazy cats named Oscar and Battle Cat.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Pantomime
• Lance is muted
• Planning a recital
• Chris' wife's repertoire and instrument choices
• Lance rants about euphonium repertoire (again)
• Army workshops
• Beirut/Zach Condon
• The strengths/weaknesses of traditional repertoire
• Studying at UNT with Brian Bowman
• Dissertation bashing
• Army Tuba-Euphonium workshop
• Mock auditions
• West Texas A&M for his undergrad
• Swamp Romp
• Rush "Tom Sawyer" featuring Tom Holtz
• Growing up in Laredo, Texas
• Favorite food from growing up
• Jim "Uncomfortable Pause" Nova
• Rico's Supermarket
• His love of cooking
• Hiram Diaz
• Kevin Gebo and Victor Barranco
• Kevin Gebo: Hobbit, Halfling or Something Else Altogether

LINKS:

• Chris' Army Band bio
• Chris' Willson bio page
• Chris' Pearls dissertation

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• We just launched a brand new Brass Junkies newsletter! It will change your life. Like, it's life-changing! Subscribe today to stay in the loop on all things Brass Junkies!
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

A "distilled and refined" Patrick Sheridan returns to the show to share his thoughts on passion projects and reflects on the loss of Sam Pilafian.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Shiverfest
• Wide in the hips
• Harry Watters
• Susan Rider
• Marine Band
• Scratch and Sniff
• How he picks projects
• Playing, teaching, conducting and publishing
• Distilled and refined
• Seeing Pat in action at American Band College
• How the project vetting has changed
• I'm on your porch
• Rainman of the tuba
• Four Star Brass commission
• 9-digit zip code
• Big Bottom Band "RooDoo VooDoo"
• Space Viking Mambo
• G-Nasty: Private Eye
• ABA Convention in Miami
• Conducting the USAF Band at Midwest
• Turtle dickies
• Jacobs Quotes
• Plate in Pat's head
• Saying no to things
• The gig mix and how it changes from year to year
• Breathing Gym next steps project ideas
• Passion projects
• Dos Amigos
• Brian McWhorter's "slactice"
• Play vs. Work
• Bassoons and thumbs
• Madlibs
• Icons
• Abby Lannnan needs to return Lance's trombone
• Reflections on the loss of Sam
• Fasting for 100 days
• Creed vs. Nickleback
• Show notes
• Skinny Jeans and Bad Shirts
• Sorrow Soup

LINKS:

• Pat's Facebook page
• Pat's Instagram
• Pat's first appearance on the show in episode 35

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• We just launched a brand new Brass Junkies newsletter! It will change your life. Like, it's life-changing! Subscribe today to stay in the loop on all things Brass Junkies!
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ126: Trumpeter Susan Rider of "The President's Own" United States Marine Band on overcoming doubt, the importance of focus and jamming with her dad. Susan dropped serious conversation ninja on Andrew & Lance and made them have a normal conversation. Weird.

From her bio:

Trumpeter/cornetist Master Gunnery Sergeant Susan Rider joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in July 1997. Master Gunnery Sgt. Rider began her musical instruction at age 10. Upon graduating in 1985 from Northern University High School in Cedar Falls, she earned a bachelor’s degree in music in 1989 from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. She continued her studies at Indiana University in Bloomington, where in 1991 she earned a master’s degree in music and in 2000 earned a doctorate of music in brass pedagogy. Her trumpet instructors were Keith Johnson and Randy Grabowski of the University of Northern Iowa, and Charles Gorham and Edmund Cord of Indiana University.

Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Master Gunnery Sgt. Rider performed with the Midland/Odessa Symphony in Texas, the Owensboro Symphony in Kentucky, and the Evansville Philharmonic and Columbus Indiana Philharmonic in Indiana. She also played in the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra in Charleston, S.C., and was a substitute with the New World Symphony in Miami. In addition to performing, she also taught studio trumpet in Odessa and at Purdue University in Indiana, and was an associate instructor at Indiana University for the brass and music education departments.

Master Gunnery Sgt. Rider has appeared as a Marine Band guest soloist with various groups including the Louisville Male High School Symphonic Band from Kentucky in 2001, and the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony in 2005, both at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago. She has performed with Monarch Brass at the International Women’s Brass Conferences in Toronto, Canada in 2010 and Cincinnati, Ohio in 2014; the International Trumpet Guild Conference in Columbus, Ohio in 2015; and the International Trombone Festival in New York in 2016. In addition to her musical duties, Master Gunnery Sgt. Rider has served as a Tour Coordinator since 2003, advancing and serving as on-site manager during the band’s annual concert tour.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• B&B Meat Deli
• Pat Sheridan
• Being nice
• Being from Iowa
• Her grandpa was a stride piano player
• Her Dad and uncles playing music together
• Dad, a career chemist at U of Northern Iowa is making one-man "All Paul" albums at the age of 79
• Wanting to play sax and ending up as a trumpet player
• Jamming with her Dad at a Dixieland festival each year
• Playing and talking about music with her older brother
• The impact of her family and their support of her
• Studying with Keith Johnson at UNI
• Moving on to Indiana University and the influence of Ray Cramer
• Andrew's conducting prowess
• Auditioning in both 1996 and 1997 and the differences between the two auditions
• Working, playing and teaching in Texas before winning the Marine Band gig
• The importance of focus
• Overcoming doubt
• Studying with Ed Cord at IU and never really losing an audition
• Remember when something went well and carry it with you
• Trusting yourself
• Meat-flavored mouthpieces

Links:

• Susan's Marine Band bio page
• Trumpet Blog Article
• Susan Rider in Her Own Words article

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• We just launched a brand new Brass Junkies newsletter! It will change your life. Like, it's life-changing! Subscribe today to stay in the loop on all things Brass Junkies!
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ125: Andrew & Lance Give Thanks. Lance drops a bunch of questions on Andrew, testing his ability to be thankful. Hilarity ensues.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover their gratitude related to their favorite or most memorable:

Artist (Lance: Jeff Conner and Elvis Costello)

Piece of art (Andrew: Monet, Leaves of Grass, The Godfather, "Two From the Vault" by the Grateful Dead, "Linchpin" by Seth Godin, all of Led Zeppelin)

Piece of technology (Lance: Parker Mouthpieces, Jeff Conner, and EZ Pass)

Family member that is not your spouse or kid (Lance: His Granpa Kenny Smith and Andrew's pumpkin pie story)

Experience in the US (Andrew: Trey and Bernstein stories)

Experience in HS (Andrew: talent show from Tanglewood)

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• We just launched a brand new Brass Junkies newsletter! It will change your life. Like, it's life-changing! Subscribe today to stay in the loop on all things Brass Junkies!
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ124: Alan Baylock on arranging for the Airmen of Note, running the One O'Clock Lab Band at UNT and falling in love with the F Major 7 chord. Alan is an amazing arranger and bandleader and still manages to be a great guy!

From his bio:

Born and raised in a small town in Southwestern Pennsylvania, Alan Baylock has composed music that is performed throughout the world. One of the most respected and sought-after jazz composers and educators in the industry today, he is the director of the Grammy-nominated One O’Clock Lab Band at the University of North Texas, and previously served 20 years as Chief Arranger for the USAF Airmen of Note in Washington, D.C. The Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra recorded three critically-acclaimed CDs and performed throughout the US for 15 years. Baylock graduated from Shenandoah University (BME f1990), where he later became Jazz Composer-in-Residence, and the University of North Texas (MM 1994).

Baylock travels extensively as guest conductor and clinician and has been featured with close to 100 professional, collegiate, high school (all-state and regional) and middle school jazz ensembles. Alan is on faculty at the National Jazz Workshop (NJW) and directed the NJW All-Star Big Band in performances on the east and west coast. He is an active member of the Jazz Education Network (JEN) where he mentors recipients of the annual Young Composers Award and is a guest clinician for the JENerations Jazz Festival. Thanks to the Nu Psi chapter, Alan became an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha in 2016 and became an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi (Kappa Epsilon chapter) in 2017.

Alan’s music has been performed and/or recorded by jazz greats Freddie Hubbard, Michael Brecker, Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, Joe Lovano, Paquito D’Rivera, Phil Woods, Arturo Sandoval, David Liebman, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Kenny Werner, Joshua Redman, Stefon Harris, Jerry Bergonzi, Nicholas Payton, Sean Jones, Tierney Sutton, Kurt Elling and many more. His eclectic talents have also led him to writing music for Roy Clark, Lee Greenwood, Wynonna, Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Spyro Gyra, Ronan Tynan, and symphony orchestras throughout the United States and abroad. His music is published by Alfred Music and ProJazzCharts.com.

Baylock lives in Denton, Texas with his wife, cellist Maria Baylock. In his spare time, Alan is an avid table tennis player.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Having to be nice to Andrew
• His gig at UNT
• His gig in the US Air Force Band
• Being the arranger for the Airmen of Note, following Mike Crotty
• What the schedule was like in the AF Band
• Breaking the rules in writing
• Growing up in SW Pennsylvania
• Pittsburgh bus meets a sinkhole
• Washington Nationals and the World Series
• The mayhem of the Pittsburgh Pirates
• Adam Gase Eyes
• Getting started with music as a kid
• Falling in love with the F Major 7 chord
• "Renee"
• Behest Meets Bequest
• "Be Dead You Dog," I mean, "The Call"
• Don't be afraid and don't judge too soon
• Let the ideas flow when in creation mode
• Study scores to learn what went before you
• The correlation between how something looks and how it sounds
• The brain on improv
• Coaching young players/improvisers
• Start with a blues scale/form or even just call and response
• Jumping in
• The push to bring improv beyond the jazz department at UNT and break down silos
• The importance of visionary leadership
• "You can't have success without succession," Brian Bowman
• Clearing out Brian Bowman's office
• Sweaty Brian Bowman
• The sounds coming David Childs' office (next to Alan's office)
• Sweaty Lips teaser
• Lens
• Fingered Fart Machine (FFM)
• Duckles' cartoons (and viola prowess)

Links

• Alan's website
• Alan's UNT bio page
• One O'Clock Lab Band page
• Alan's Wikipedia page
• Alan's charts on Alfred Music
• Alan's charts on Pro Jazz Charts
• Alan's charts on eJazz Lines
• Psychology Today article on Improv and the brain
• Alan on The Entrepreneurial Musician podcast

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• We just launched a brand new Brass Junkies newsletter! It will change your life. Like, it's life-changing! Subscribe today to stay in the loop on all things Brass Junkies!
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ123: Sam Pilafian Tribute

On October 25, 2019, Sam Pilafian would have turned 70. To mark this special occasion we decided to reach out to some of Sam's best friends to ask for stories, thoughts, reflections, and impressions. Mark Gould, Marty Hackleman, Jose Sibaja, Michael Sachs, JD Shaw, Patrick Sheridan, and Jose Sibaja shared stories ranging from hilarious to moving and we hope you find it as therapeutic as we have.

Happy Birthday, Sam!

#yeahman

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We are happy to announce the next offering from Pedal Note Media: The Brass Legacy Project! Each season will feature stories from people around the music business about a different brass legend.

Who better to feature in Season One of the Brass Legacy Project than Sam Pilafian!

Sign up for the Brass Junkies newsletter and be the first to learn about when Season One will launch. Yeah man!

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Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• We just launched a brand new Brass Junkies newsletter! It will change your life. Like, it's life-changing! Subscribe today to stay in the loop on all things Brass Junkies!
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ122: Shelagh Abate on playing horn on Broadway, meeting Sting and the importance of networking. She gives us a great overview of life in a Broadway pit and what it takes to get (and stay) there.

From her bio:

SHELAGH ABATE is unquestionably one of New York’s most sought-after musicians. Shelagh’s love for the horn is almost as old as her love for music itself. Known for her simultaneously warm and assertive sound, her versatility and musical intuition has earned her a place in the lexicon of NYC’s busiest performers.

Shelagh has opened more than one dozen Broadway productions. Among them are Mary Poppins, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, South Pacific, Honeymoon in Vegas, Evita, Fiddler on the Roof, Anastasia, and most currently Disney’s Frozen. Since arriving in New York in 2006, she has performed regularly with The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, The Mostly Mozart Festival, The American Ballet Theater, The American Symphony Orchestra, The Opera Orchestra of New York, is third horn with the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra and has been principal horn of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra under the artistic direction of Jaime Laredo since 1999. During the course of her career, she has been conducted by some of the great musicians of our time; Seiji Ozawa, Simon Rattle, Andre Previn, James Conlon, Gunther Schuller, James DePriest, Robert Spano, Carl St. Clair, John Williams, Marin Alsop, Jaime Laredo, Keith Lockhart, and Placido Domingo, to name a few.

Shelagh has established fluency in the commercial realm as well as the classical, having performed as part of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Michel Legrand, the ensembles of Earl McDonald, Gary Morgan, Jamie Baum, John Allmark, John Vanore and Greg Hopkins. Shelagh has recorded, performed live in concert, as well as on televised events with Sting, The Who, Tony Bennett, Rufus Wainwright, Lady Gaga, Barry Manilow, Joni Mitchell, Trey Anastasio, Club d’Elf, Josh Groban, Brian Wilson, Linda Ronstadt, and most recently with the 2019 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall.

Chamber music has been at the very core of Shelagh’s success as a musician. A winner of the Coleman Competition (2000), and a founding member of the award-winning Triton Brass (Fischoff, Lyon & Concert Artist’s Guild, 2005), Shelagh has collaborated with her world-class and longtime colleagues in order to achieve what is only artistically possible through such an intimate medium. Together they have shared their gifts with many thousands of others through live performances, recordings, and through education. Shelagh will be returning as faculty with Triton Brass to the Boston University Tanglewood Institute for their 2019 season. She also served as faculty for more than a decade with the renown Atlantic Brass Quintet International Summer Seminar. Through these summer programs, Shelagh is proud to have influenced, shaped and enriched the lives of many dozens of tomorrow’s musicians. Shelagh is an Artist in Residence at Boston College, and The Boston Conservatory of Music where she has performed and conducted clinics and masterclasses on a regular basis since 2003.

Shelagh’s early musical influences include extensive study with the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Richard Sebring, Toronto Symphony’s principal horn Neil Deland, and renowned pedagogue and performer Laura Klock. She has been a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center and with The National Repertory Orchestra. Shelagh holds a B.A. from Boston College, an M.M. from The University of Massachusetts at Amherst where she was a recipient of the Howard W. Lebow Scholarship, and an Artist Diploma from The New England Conservatory of Music, where she was a Walkenier Scholar. Shelagh is proud to be a Stephens Horns artist, playing one of the very first horns handcrafted by Stephen Shires https://www.stephenshorns.com.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• In the Lexicon!
• Fun with pronunciations
• Amhad Rashad
• Baseball cards
• Erasers and jewelry
• Going to school with Andy Bove
• Trent Austin's bio writer
• Playing on Broadway eight times a week
• Playing Disney's Frozen
• Name-dropping
• How playing on Broadway works
• Dealing with repetition
• How the sub pool works and how to get started as a player
• Dormant subs
• Networking
• The impact of social media on networking
• Jeff Nelsen
• Be nice
• Pit orchestra size and the state of the industry
• Horn job pool on Broadway
• Horn writing rant
• Horn: The Cornstarch of the Orchestra
• Triton Brass
• Working with Sam Pilafian
• Playing with famous people from Trey Anastasio to Barry Manilow and Sting
• Being married to Tony Kadleck
• Facebrace

LINKS:

• Shelagh's site
• Triton Brass
• Vermont Symphony Orchestra

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• We just launched a brand new Brass Junkies newsletter! It will change your life. Like, it's life-changing! Subscribe today to stay in the loop on all things Brass Junkies!
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

***We just launched a brand new Brass Junkies newsletter! It will change your life. Like, it's life-changing! Subscribe today to stay in the loop on all things Brass Junkies!***

Sign up by 10/31 for a chance for you and a friend to chat with The Brass Junkies!

TBJ121: Trumpeter Wayne du Maine on working with Bernstein and Prince, but not at the same time. He is one of the busiest and most successful musicians working today and he shares how he balances it all with a smile on his face.

From his bio:

A native of St. Louis, Wayne J. du Maine currently performs with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, American Composers Orchestra, New York City Opera, Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and with contemporary music ensembles such as Speculum Musicae, Sospeso, and ST-X Xenakis. Mr. du Maine is a member of the Manhattan Brass and with Mercury and the Brooklyn Philharmonic Brass Quintets, he is dedicated to performing and introducing live music to thousands of school children in the NYC area, NJ and PA. Wayne has worked with a broad spectrum of artists ranging from Leonard Bernstein and Leonard Slatkin to Hank Jones, Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Patti Lupone and Audra MacDonald. He has been a soloist with the orchestras of St. Louis, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. He can be heard on recordings with the New York Philharmonic, Met Opera Orchestra, numerous commercials, motion pictures and with Prince on his New Power Soul recording.

Mr. du Maine is on the faculty of Columbia and Princeton Universities as well as Bar Harbor Brass Week. At the Juilliard School, Wayne teaches trumpet in the Music Advancement Program and serves as a teaching assistant in the Instrumental Music Program. He is also on the conducting faculty of the Elisabeth Morrow Summer Strings and now is Music Director of the Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble at the Elisabeth Morrow School. Recently, Wayne made his Brooklyn Philharmonic conducting debut to critical acclaim and will make his Westchester Philharmonic debut in Spring, 2011.

Mr. du Maine has performed at music festivals in Aspen, Spoleto, Tanglewood, Vermont Mozart, Bowdoin, Marlboro, Berkshire Choral, and the Manchester (VT) Music Festival. Wayne just completed a two year run of Fiddler on the Roof where he was associate conductor. He is currently a member of the show How The Grinch Stole Christmas and has served as associate conductor at the hit revival of South Pacific at Lincoln Center. Highlights of recent performances include the Boys Choir of Harlem, Take 6, Martha's Vineyard Chamber Music Society, Absolute Ensemble, soloist with the Cincinnati Symphony, Peter, Paul and Mary, and the rock band Jesus H. Christ, where he plays keyboards.

A member of two softball leagues in Central Park, Wayne resides in New Jersey with his wife, Sharon and daughter Sequoia.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Stanley Cup/St. Louis Blues
• NYU brass program
• Learning the ropes as an administrator
• Recruiting and fundraising
• Negotiating and the art of pricing
• 1990 Tanglewood performance of Copland's Third Symphony under Bernstein
• Conducting
• Scotch and cigarettes
• Prioritization and scheduling
• Playing in the stage bands at The Met
• Mark Gould
• Portfolio career/freelancing
• Looking 7-9 months ahead to manage uneven income
• Playing on Broadway while still in school
• The importance of sightreading
• How he guides his students
• Wayne du Maine's Beer Course With Trumpet
• Recording with Prince

Links:

• NYU Steinhardt Brass page
• Manhattan Brass
• Westchester Philharmonic
• NY Times article
• Wayne du Maine's Beer Course With Trumpet

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• We just launched a brand new Brass Junkies newsletter! It will change your life. Like, it's life-changing! Subscribe today to stay in the loop on all things Brass Junkies!
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at
• The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ120: Colin WIlliams (Brass Junkies Rewind)

Hey all! This is our first Brass Junkies Rewind. We're hoping to occasionally highlight a particularly good early episode that many people might have missed. This was back from Episode 26, way before I got more "creative" with the show notes. Simpler times.

***We just launched a brand new Brass Junkies newsletter! It will change your life. Like, it's life-changing! Subscribe today to stay in the loop on all things Brass Junkies!***

Colin Williams, newly tenured Associate Principal Trombone with the New York Philharmonic joins Andrew & Lance in a very frank and honest discussion about recovering from chop injury. Colin also sets Andrew's heart aflame, describing his experience playing w/Trey Anastasio from Phish, talks about what it is like working w/Joe Alessi (spoiler alert, it's pretty good), and his thoughts on what makes for effective orchestral management.

Oh, and he hates wearing tails. Like a lot.

Links:

Colin's Page at NY Phil

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies march at
  The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm. NOTE: The original interview was produced by Austin Boyer and Buddy Deshler.

Brass Junkies Extra: Tubist Aubrey Foard of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra on the state of the lockout

In this special episode of The Brass Junkies, Aubrey Foard catches us up on where things stand with the BSO lockout.

From his bio:

Aubrey Foard is the principal tubist of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held since 2018. He also serves as Lecturer of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and as Artist Faculty at the Brevard Music Center. Mr. Foard was most recently principal tubist of the Charlotte Symphony, where he had performed since 2012. He has previously held principal tuba positions in the Santa Barbara, West Virginia, Canton, Youngstown, and Albany Symphonies as well as with the Britt Festival Orchestra. He has performed as a guest musician with several other orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Cleveland Orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony, the Louisville Orchestra, Arizona MusicFest, and as Acting Principal Tubist with the San Diego Symphony.

Aubrey gives us an inside look at how the lockout has impacted the musicians over these last few months.

We discuss:

• Expiration of their contract
• Summer bargaining sessions
• His first act as a member of the BSO
• Management's offers vs. the players'
• Cancellation of the summer season and the start of the lockout
• Lack of progress in negotiations
• Aubrey taking 47 auditions before landing the BSO gig
• Taiwan Tubamania
• Finding Baltimore Symphony recordings in Taipei
• Individual overscale negotiations
• Leaving the Charlotte Symphony
• The impact of previous management decisions on today's situation
• The difference between a 40-week and a 52-week orchestra
• Playing with the San Diego Symphony in the summers
• How uncertainty of the future of the orchestra has impacted him personally
• Having to hit the road to make it work
• The impact on his family
• 15-20 other cities have already reached out to have Baltimore Symphony players sub with their orchestras
• ICSOM Call to action has provided over $250,000 so far
• "The BSO without the O is just BS"
• Lessons from the experience (stay united and get involved)
• Throwing a mega-brass concert to support the musicians
• Collecting data for the creation of a fact sheet and data project
• Michael Kaiser, make great art and market it brilliantly
• Places and people who are doing it right in the industry
• Aubrey Bergauer of the California Symphony
• Deborah Borda of the New York Philharmonic
• Mark Niehaus of the Milwaukee Symphony
• Phil Munds and Andy Balio on The Brass Junkies
• Future Symphony Institute

Here's a link to a recent article from Baltimore Sun outlining the state of things:

"BSO and musicians in marathon contract negotiations as deadline looms"

Here's a link to the musicians' Facebook page:

BSO Musicians Facebook page

And their website:

BSO Musicians Website

The players' GoFundMe page:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-the-o-in-bso

TBJ119: Clarke Rigsby of Tempest Recording on Paul McCartney, Steve Gadd and his Most Improved Player trophy

Clarke Rigsby of Tempest Recording has acquired a reputation amongst his peers for being “musically militant.” Nuff said.

From his site:

Clarke Rigsby of Tempest Recording has acquired a reputation amongst his peers for being “musically militant.” Today, technology often overshadows or masks (or invents…) true musical talent, and although Clarke has the tools to “fix it in the mix,” he’d rather let music come from the musician and not the machine. Clarke combines his technical savvy and musical talent with his engineering and production experience giving his clients the appropriate combination for producing a first-rate project.

Since 1980, Clarke’s recording history would be called diverse. Clarke has worked with such artists as Paul McCartney, Joey DeFrancesco, Glen Campbell, Ike Turner, Deepak Chopra, Dr. Billy Taylor, Hal Blaine, David Grisman, Jimmy Smith, The Phoenix Boys Choir, The Four Tops, Bobby Hutcherson, Don Edwards, James Moody, Rex Allen, Waylon Jennings, Frank Gambale, Alice Cooper, James Galway, Boston Brass, Brownie McGee, Tower of Power, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, Joe Alessi, Phil Smith (New York Philharmonic), Mark O’Connor, Peter Erskine, El Chicano, Honey Boy Edwards, UNM Wind Ensemble, Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra, Eric Burdon, Snuff Garrett, Lee Hazlewood, R. L. Burnside, Little Milton, Bo Diddley, Harvey Mason, Warren Jones, The Ahn Trio, The Arizona State University Marching Band, Bill Conte, River City Brass. With old pals Tim & Willy (KMLE Radio..) he’s done projects with a “who’s who” list of country music stars including Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Steve Wariner, Trisha Yearwood, Sugarland, Billy Dean, Wynonna Judd, Dierks Bentley, Blake Sheldon, Colin Raye, Clint Black, Phil Vasser, Little Big Town, Travis Tritt, Trick Pony, Lee Ann Womack, Terri Clark, along comedians Frank Caliendo and Tim Hawkins, among many others.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Andrew's birthday!
• Clarke's start in the music business
• From L.A. to Phoenix
• Deciding to stay in Phoenix due to the L.A. scene in the early 80's
• Building his studio
• The joys of dealing with the city government
• Clarke and Paul McCartney on top of a bus
• Working with Phil Ramone
• Working with Sam Pilafian
• How they met
• "It's called development"
• Working with Steve Gadd and Joey DeFrancesco
• Boston Brass working with Steve Gadd
• Andrew actively ignoring Clarke's video
• Sweaty Lance
• Gadd's process
• Steely Dan stories
• How he got started doing brass recordings
• How the recording process is a learning opportunity and makes you a better musician
• Recording the River City Brass Band
• Freaking out at the green
• Eating at Rizzo's on Clarke's 50th birthday
• The Revenants
• Winning an Emmy
• Doing a jazz record with Frankie Valli
• His "Most Improved Player" trophy
• Working with Tower of Power
• Tower of Power and the ASU Marching Band
• Teaching at ASU
• Recording for musicians
• The impact of new technologies
• Bison
• TSA Agents
• Awkward segues
• Gadd AF Band

LINKS:

• Tempest Recording
• Clarke's Sam tribute

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies march at
  The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ118: Trumpet player and builder Trent Austin on Clark Terry, making sacrifices for your dreams and an augmented trumpet

Trumpeting Renaissance Man Trent Austin lives up to the title: entrepreneur, player, designer, and raconteur.

Celebrated trumpet artist, educator/clinician and entrepreneur, Trent Austin is a trumpeting Renaissance Man. His brilliant performances and recordings in both the jazz and classical music worlds, as well as packed-house Master Classes have garnered him rave reviews, awards and International acclaim.

A prodigy, in high school Austin performed at the opening of Euro-Disney and also was a featured performer at the 1992 Montreux Jazz Festival. He was selected first trumpet of the Maine All-State Music Festival and was awarded a full music scholarship to the University of New Hampshire to study classical trumpet. Austin’s other early career awards include being named to the prestigious Berklee Grammy® High School Jazz Band in 1993 and designated lead trumpet of the 1995 Disney All-American Show Band. He was also a featured soloist at the 1996 Harmony Ridge Brass Festival and at the 1997 Lake Placid Institute of the Arts Seminar.

As an in-demand pro, Trent has performed with a lengthy list of music’s Who’s Who: Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Joe Williams, Clark Terry, Jack Jones, Bob Brookmeyer, Maria Schneider, Peter Erskine, Arturo Sandoval, Hal Galper, Dick Oatts, Marvin Stamm, Red Holloway, Jesse Davis, Dick Johnson, Kenny Werner, and Bob Wilber. For eleven years, Austin was a featured trumpet soloist with the famed Artie Shaw Orchestra. He is currently a first-call performer in the Kansas City Metro

Austin has recorded 4 CDs. Trumpet 101 (2001), Two-Toned (2006), Meditations for Solo Trumpet (2009), and Trumpet 102 (2012). Each of these efforts demonstrates Austin’s impeccable command of his instrument and marvelous artistic approach.

Trent has studied jazz improvisation privately with greats Jerry Bergonzi, Kenny Werner, Chuck Findley and engaged in extensive studies with Hal Crook and Charlie Banacos. His primary classical instructors include studies with Robert Stibler of the University of New Hampshire, Benjamin Wright of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and with Edward Carroll, formerly musical director of the New York Trumpet Ensemble.

Fiercely dedicated to the cause and development of music and jazz education, Trent was a trumpet professor at the University of Southern Maine for 9 years and regularly provides clinics and Master Classes nationwide at various trumpet and brass conferences, including at the International Trumpet Guild Conference and other trumpet/brass conferences. Austin also maintains an active teaching studio in Kansas City, MO and worldwide online via Skype, providing trumpet and jazz improvisation lessons.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Trumpeting Renaissance Man
• Moving to Kansas City from Boston
• Impossible Tuna
• Impossible Tuba
• Bribery will get you everywhere
• Trumpet placebo
• Machining and Geekery
• Designing horns for Adams
• Bonding with his dad
• Computedated
• Mouthpiece as a gateway drug
• Common tweaks
• Fraggle Rock
• Clark Terry buttermilk story
• A good horn cleaning regimen
• Stanford TRB TB story
• Nick the Bio Writer
• Adventures in Unnecessary Trumpet Modification
• Dents in critical areas
• Heavy valve caps
• Everything affects everything
• The King of Trumpet Geeks
• Augmented trumpet
• The fate of brick and mortar stores
• Specialty stores will have an easier time surviving
• ITEC vs. ITG
• The influence of Clark Terry
• The Clark Terry "Keep On Keepin' On" documentary
• Trentbot 2000
• Everything is monetizable
• It's all about the hang
• Bob Malone
• Making sacrifices for your dreams
• How badly do you want it?
• Sleep harder
• Gold-plated water key screw

LINKS:

• Trent's website
• Austin Custom Brass
• Trent's YouTube channel
• Augmented trumpet video
• http://www.keeponkeepinon.comClark Terry documentary
• The Brass Junkies online store

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies march at
  The Brass Junkies online store!
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ117: Mike Nickens, Director of "The Green Machine" pep band at George Mason University, on being unapologetic about who he is and leading by example (while carrying a scepter). He has built a gig for himself which allows him to be fully him while enabling his students to do the same. From his bio: Serving as Director of Campus Life Ensembles and Collaborative Arts, and as an Associate Professor of Music, Dr. Michael W. Nickens (a.k.a. Doc Nix) is most recognized as the leader of the “Green Machine”, which in 2015 was named the #1 pep band in college basketball by the NCAA and commended by the Senate and House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia. In addition, Dr. Nickens launched Mason’s fife and drum corps and WGI world-champion drumline, and oversees Mason’s winterguard. This collection of performing units, known as the “Green Machine Ensembles”, are internationally known for their thrilling, high-energy performances at Mason ceremonies and basketball games, professional sports games and events (Capitals, Nationals, Wizards, and Redskins), community events (Celebrate Fairfax, and the Nike Womens’ Half Marathon), and marching competitions, as well as their popular internet videos that have over 100 million views collectively.

Dr. Nickens was named the 2016 Faculty Member of the Year by the George Mason University Alumni Association. He served as a Faculty Representative to the Board of Visitors, Chair of the Faculty of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, Chair of the CVPA Diversity Committee, and as a member of the School of Music’s Graduate Committee. Having joined the faculty of Mason’s School of Music in fall 2006, he has taught courses in sight-singing/ear training, popular music in America, improvisatory music, brass methods, applied tuba, composition, chamber music, and jazz improvisation, as well as collaborations with Mason’s School of Dance. In addition, he was a co-founder and co-conductor of the Colonial Athletic Association’s “Breakfast with the Bands” intercollegiate pep band showcase.

During summers, he has taught tuba and euphonium, conducting, jazz performance, composition, improvisation, chamber music, large ensemble performance, and theory at the Performing Arts Institute at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, Pennsylvania, the Music, Art, and Theatre (MAT) Camp in Evanston, Wyoming, and the Northern Arizona University Music Camp in Flagstaff, Arizona, and at Mason’s Potomac Arts Academy. He has also coached a professional marching ensemble, “Mix It Up”, at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia. Dr. Nickens was born in Washington DC and grew up in the Fairfax County Public Schools in Alexandria, Virginia. He completed his academic degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, Yale University, and the University of Michigan.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Strain the pool
• Mouthpieces
• Intentionally unhelpful
• Fun standard euphonium literature
• Doc Nix
• Lance's newsletter
• Went to some schools
• Hard choices, mid-stream
• George Mason University Men's Basketball team in 2006
• Starting The Green Machine at George Mason
• Encourage musicians to find their way to their best self
• Building things from the ground up
• Turning his gig into a tenure-track position
• Picking tunes for the band, based on the world around him
• From Bon Jovi to Snoop Dog
• Creation of the arrangements
• How to teach students to arrange
• Broadening the instrumentation of the group beyond "traditional" pep bands
• Using what you have
• Empowering himself
• Timing the tunes within a game
• The budget (from the Dean of Admissions)
• Additional funds coming through University Life and tuition dollars through the School of Music
• Doing fundraising directly through their website
• Wearing a pimp suit
• 18-19 suits overall
• Carrying a scepter, wearing shades
• Blockbusting
• The Green Machine as a manifestation of who he is
• Conductor/Drum Major/Mascot
• Being unapologetic about who he is and leading by example
• Mr. Miyagi
• Making love and joy happen
• Andrew is a hater hater
• Playing a gig at Duquesne University
• The current makeup of The Green Machine
• The nine groups which exist under The Green Machine umbrella
• Celebrating Aretha Franklin
• Playing with the National Symphony to backup Nas (one of his heroes)
• 8-bit comedy rap videos
• The odor was fine

LINKS:

• Mike's George Mason bio page
• The Green Machine website
• The Green Machine YouTube channel
• Mike Tyson's Punch-Out Rap! vid
• Mike's interview on The Entrepreneurial Musician

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

We're back with another Listener's Choice episode! This time, Walter asks about the recording process. Andrew & Lance unpack the process of making an album and preview their upcoming Cones and Tones project.

In this fun & lively episode, we cover:

• Lance as a home remodeler
• Andrew Phish shows
• Thank you, Ticketmaster
• Marty Erickson, Craig Knox, and the sousaphone pusher
• 8-tracks
• Walter
• What is the relevance of an album today?
• Does "album-length" matter any more?
• What makes for a cohesive project?
• Who are you trying to reach?
• Clarity of vision
• Engineer and producer
• TEM 174: Sam Pilafian on producing
• How to track
• Mental preparation
• In the sessions
• Paper edits
• Not just listening to your own part
• Cutler and JD
• When things go wrong (buzz in the piano)
• Mixing and mastering
• Label or no label
• Mechanical rights

LINKS:

• TEM 174: Sam Pilafian on producing

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ115: Hiram Diaz, euphonium player in "The President's Own" Marine Band, on the High Bridge Brass Quintet, audition prep and being a terrible shot.

From his Marine Band bio page:

Euphonium player Staff Sergeant Hiram Diaz joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in January 2012. Staff Sgt. Diaz began his musical instruction at age 12. He graduated in 2003 from the New World School of the Arts in Miami and continued his education at the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music (CCM) where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music performance in 2007. He is currently pursuing his master’s degree from the University of North Texas in Denton, where he studies with euphonium professor Brian Bowman. His instructors also included Timothy Northcut of CCM and Jay Bertolet, former principal tuba with the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra.

Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Staff Sgt. Diaz was a member of the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence Band (283d Army Band) in Ft. Benning, Ga.

In 2016, he performed Tom Davoren’s Ascension with trumpet/cornet player Gunnery Sgt. Amy McCabe as featured soloists on the national concert tour.

Watch Staff Sgt. Diaz's interview in Spanish about the 2013 Inauguration.

Watch Master Sgt. Mark Jenkins and Staff Sergeant Hiram Diaz's Masterclass: March Performance Practice with Euphoniums of "The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Hiram's trombone playing
• Christmas and Easter gigs
• Being in the Marine Band since 2012
• Meeting Lance in 2002 at the Falcone Festival
• He's like the Victor Borge of the euphonium
• Lance judging Hiram and meeting his parents
• Eating at Hooters five times (not at all like the South Florida Hooters)
• Greensboro ITEC, "The Captain's Log"
• Moving from the Army Bands system to the Marine Band at the age of 26
• Fort Sill, where you learn to kill
• Rich Kelley story in Lawton, Texas
• Being a terrible shot
• Spiders yelling at little kids
• Marine Band audition and audition prep
• Lots of recording himself
• Staying with Chris Buckley
• Studying with Brian Bowman
• Studying with Tim Northcutt
• Playing in a post band vs. being in a premiere band
• Doubling on trombone and singing
• The similarities between Andrew's son and Ella Fitzgerald
• Chris Castellanos' karaoke parody Jedi mastery
• Growing up in Miami across from Sam Pilafian's sister and swimming in her pool
• His Cuban heritage
• Going to the New World School of the Arts for high school
• Lessons on self-confidence and building his ears with Sam Pilafian
• What is happening from that man's face?
• Hiram's favorite food (made by his Mom)
• The lack of sour oranges in DC makes him bitter (sorry)
• John Abbracciamento's retirement ceremony
• The High Bridge Bass Quintet
• The worse the flooring, the stronger he will get

Links:

• Hiram's Marine band bio page
• High Bridge Brass Quintet
• Hiram's YouTube Channel

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

From John's Marine Band bio:

Trumpeter/cornetist Master Gunnery Sergeant John Abbracciamento joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in November 1992. Master Gunnery Sgt. Abbracciamento began his musical instruction at age 8. After graduating from Valley Stream South High School in 1978, he attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. He completed his bachelor’s degree in music at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1983 and also earned a master’s degree from Mannes College of Music in New York in 1985. He studied trumpet with Armando Ghitalla of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and John Ware and Vincent Penzarella of the New York Philharmonic.

Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Master Gunnery Sgt. Abbracciamento was a substitute with the New York Philharmonic and toured Europe with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• John retiring from "The President's Own" United States Marine Band after 27 years
• Be prepared and know that the system is in place to support you
• The importance of realizing that you are joining a section
• The diversity of demands in The Marine Band
• Us math am smart like
• What John will miss most
• Why he decided to retire now
• Change is hard
• Going back to school to becomes a physical therapist
• The impact of standing at attention for long periods of time
• Helping musicians deal with pain
• John's retirement remarks
• Hiram Diaz
• Tom Hooten
• Studying with Armando Ghitalla
• Distinctive players and styles
• What happens at a Marine Band retirement ceremony
• The Italian Store chicken parmesan on a hard roll
• Baseball rule changes
• Freelancing, listening and adapting to a variety of situations
• Learning to blend
• Overcoming doubt
• Rich Kelley Central Park story
• Putting other players at ease within a section
• Trial and error and the importance of experience as a teacher
• Playing the appropriate musical role
• Mallory Thompson
• Andrew and the silk shirt

LINKS:

• John's Marine Band bio page
• Andrew's blog post about John's insights on freelancing

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ113: Rebecca Cherian on encouraging young women players, the importance of allies and the Bernstein Bounce. Rebecca Cherian is Co-Principal Trombone of the Pittsburgh Symphony.

From her bio:

Rebecca Cherian was awarded the position of co-principal trombone of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra by Lorin Maazel in 1989. She has been trombone instructor at Carnegie Mellon University since 1993. Cherian was a founding member of the International Women’s Brass Conference in 1994 and served as the IWBC Newsletter Editor for five years.

As a California native, Cherian began her professional career at the age of 16 as trombonist with the San Jose Symphony under the direction of George Cleve. At the age of 17, she appeared as a soloist with the San Francisco Symphony as a result of winning First Prize in their Young Musicians’ Awards. Cherian earned her Bachelor of Music Degree from the California Institute of the Arts and her Master of Music Degree from the Yale School of Music. While in school she was awarded First Place in the Atwater Kent Brass Competition and Outstanding Chamber Music Performer at Yale. She studied with Miles Anderson, Robert Szabo, and John Swallow.

Before becoming a member of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Cherian held positions of principal trombone with the Springfield Symphony in Massachusetts and the Rhode Island Philharmonic. She was trombone instructor at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, the Hartt School of Music and Wesleyan University. As a freelance artist, she toured with the Israel Philharmonic under the Direction of Leonard Bernstein, performed with the Boston Opera, New York City Ballet, Hartford, New Haven, and Vermont Symphonies and Goodspeed Opera House.

In September 1993, Cherian enjoyed the honor of performing at the White House in Washington, D.C. as part of a 15-woman ensemble of brass and percussion players for the opening reception of the Annual International Women’s Forum. The group performed the world premiere of Joan Tower’s fanfare, Celebration, which was dedicated to Hillary Clinton. Cherian appears regularly as a soloist and master class Clinician at the IWBC.

Cherian released her second solo CD, “L’Invitation au Voyage,” in 2015. Both her first CD, “Water Awakening,” and “L’Invitation au Voyage.” are available through cdbaby.com or amazon.com. She can also be heard on “From the Back Row,” a recording on Albany Records of the Low Brass Section of the Pittsburgh Symphony and numerous recordings of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Lorin Maazel, Mariss Jansons and Manfred Honeck.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• The dramatic Rebecca/Becky controversy
• Playing with the PSO
• The recent PSO concert at Lincoln Center in NYC
• Technical difficulties
• Becky still has a home phone (thankfully!)!
• The state of the PSO
• How social media played a part in getting the word out about the PSO player's positions
• Her first gig was in San Antonio Symphony at 16 years of age
• Losing her slide story
• Women in the career field, how things have changed and what work there still is to do
• The importance of building allies in a group
• How to coach and encourage young women players (and the men too!)
• Diversity issues in general
• Picking the instrument in school, despite trombone not being a "girl's" instrument
• Soloing with the San Francisco Symphony at 17
• Lance's monumental frack
• Playing under Bernstein with the Isreal Philharmonic on tour in Mexico and Texas (and learning Rite of Spring and bass trumpet in one day)
• Meeting Bernstein
• Bernstein falling off the podium (and bouncing back), AKA the "Bernstein Bounce"
• Herp Alpert
• Playing at the White House

Links:

• PSO Bio
• CMU Bio
• Shires Trombone Artist Page
• Becky's CD Baby store
• From the Back Row CD (with the PSO low brass section)

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ112: Matt Niess on The Capital Bones, 3 x 3, and getting help from the "Trombone Angel"

Matt Niess is a multifaceted trombonist who served with The U.S. Army Band in Washington, DC and currently serves as Adjunct Associate Professor, Classical and Jazz Trombone at Shenandoah Conservatory.

From his bio page:

Matt Niess is a cross over trombonist who served with The U.S. Army Band in Washington, DC from 1988-2018 where he played with The Army Blues and The Army Brass Quintet. He is from Levittown, PA where he attended Woodrow Wilson High School. He earned an undergraduate degree in Instrumental Music Education from West Chester University in 1988, a Masters degree in classical trombone performance from George Mason University in 1996 and a DMA in classical trombone performance from The Catholic University of America in 2015.

​He was director of bands at Calvert High School in Prince Frederick, MD from 1986-1988, and has taught on the jazz faculties of Shenandoah, George Mason, and Towson Universities. He also served as director of jazz studies and professor of trombone at West Chester University from 2003-2007. Currently, he is the professor of jazz trombone at George Mason University and professor of trombone at The Shenandoah Conservatory teaching both jazz and classical. With The Army Blues he has served as Senior Producer and Jazz Coordinator of the Eastern Trombone Workshop producing over 300 concerts at various venues ranging from The White House to the Monterey Jazz Festival.

In 2008 he founded the National Jazz Workshop which runs two summer camps and sponsors a year-round honor band. To date over 1,000 students have participated in “NJW”. The year-round band has performed at The Kennedy Center, The Jazz Education Network, New Orleans, St. Louis, Dallas, Blues Alley, and numerous jazz festivals. He is the founder and director of The Capitol Bones, a jazz trombone ensemble, which has received national recognition and was winner of the 1991 International Trombone Association Kai Winging Award.

​He has appeared as a soloist, clinician, and adjudicator at numerous venues including The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, IAJE, JEN, ITA, ETW, MENC, PMEA, VMEA, University of Las Vegas, University of North Texas, West Virginia University, Disneyland & Disneyworld All-American College Band, James Madison University, UARTS, University of Utah, The Nebraska Jazz Orchestra, Longwood College, The U.S. Air Force “Noteables”, Mary Washington College, Shepherd College, University of Kentucky, University of Texas, George Mason University, University of Wisconsin, Towson University, University of North Carolina, Shenandoah University, Longwood College, West Chester University, University of Tennessee and others.

With The Army Band he has performed with Clark Terry, Doc Severinsen, Bill Watrous, Phil Wilson, Conrad Herwig, Carl Fontana, Don Menza, Chris Potter, John Clayton, Alabama, Rany Travis, Ertha Kitt, Allen Vizutti, Jon Faddis, The New York Voices, Terrell Stafford, Michael Abene, Dave Steinmeyer, Steve Turre, Tim Hagens, John Swana, James Moody, Buddy DeFranco, Dr. Billy Taylor, Bob Curnow, Mike Tomaro and many others. Venues include numerous Universities, schools and jazz festivals, I.A.J.E., ETW, The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, MENC, The Montreux Jazz Festival, The Monterey Jazz Festival, Elkhart Jazz Festival, International Trombone Festival, National Trumpet Competition, The Trumpet Guild, Performances abroad include Germany, Switzerland, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Russia, Cuba, Afghanistan, Norway and Sweden.

As a sideman he has performed with Ray Charles, Franky Valli, Pancho Sanchez, Shirley Jones, The Temptations, Diane Shuur, Joan Rivers, The Ink Spots, Merv Griffin, Mel Torme, Frank Sinatra Jr., Ben Vereen, The Four Tops, The Manhattan Transfer, Pia Zadora, The Smithsonian Masterworks Orchestra, David Baker, Bobby Caldwell, The Rob Parton Jazz Tech Big Band, The Gene Krupa Orchestra, Slide Hampton and many others.

He has produced CDs with The US Army Blues Jazz Ensemble, The West Chester University Criterions Jazz Ensemble, The Capitol Bones and The Capitol Bones Big Band and has appeared on many recordings to include The Mark Taylor/Steve Fidyk Big Band, The New Gene Krupa Orchestra, The Alan Baylock Big Band, Graham Breedlove, Doug Hamilton, The Mike Tomaro Big Band, over 100 recordings with The Studio A Big Band and The Washington Winds, Warner Bros. Publications, Alfred, FJH Music, Carl Fischer Music, Belwin Publications and Hal Leonard Publications. He has also recorded soundtracks for FOX TV, HBO, Discovery, and TLC.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Earbuds
• From Houston to West Chester
• Army Band
• Lance is bad at math (3x7+3=? hint: not 30)
• Becoming a band director in Frederick MD
• Meeting the Navy Commodores and finding out about the Army Blues gig
• Learned jazz
• In his mind, he's 6'2"
• Preparing for the Army Blues audition
• Getting help from the "Trombone Angel"
• Replacing Harry Watters in the Army Brass Quintet
• Do everything three times, three times a day
• Teaching at Shenandoah
• Saddled with a work ethic
• USAF Band stories
• Mike Tomaro
• National Jazz Workshop
• The Capital Bones
• The importance and value of sight-reading skills
• Charles Colin "Rhythms Complete" book
• What's the payoff for a piece of music
• Bill Watrous running sound for The Capital Bones in Rochester
• New Capital Bones album coming soon
• Matt's kids are both freaky good musicians
• The importance of speaking the language of jazz
• Terry Bingham and a sweaty bald head

LINKS:

• Matt Niess
• Shenandoah Conservatory bio page
• The Capital Bones Facebook page

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ111: Tim Buzbee on learning The Furies overnight, winning gigs in 8 countries and being put in a piece of metal

Tim Buzbee, Principal Tubist with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, knows he would probably be flipping burgers if not for the help of teachers Ed Jones, Gene Pokorny, and Matt Good.

Tim Buzbee has been the Principal Tubist with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra since 2010. Tim grew up in Queen City, Texas and knows he would probably be flipping burgers if not for the help of teachers Ed Jones, Gene Pokorny, and Matt Good. He has performed as guest tubist with many orchestras including the Chicago Symphony, Danish Radio Orchestra, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Dallas Wind Symphony, Malaysia Philharmonic, and the Helsingborg Symphony.

As a soloist, he has performed with the Iceland Symphony, Singapore Symphony, Acapulco Symphony, Marshall Symphony and the “Pershing Own” Army Band in Washington D.C and currently has two solo CDs on the Albany Record label. Before taking his position at the MSO he held the Principal Tuba position at the Iceland Symphony, Chicago Civic Orchestra, Acapulco Philharmonic, Singapore Symphony, Gavle Symphony, and the Malmo Symphony.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Has won gigs in 8 different countries
• Calling us from Australia in the middle of the night
• Originally from Queen City TX (pop. 1,600)
• Started on country fiddle, taking after his grandfather, later moved on to the bass guitar
• Switched to euphonium and later was drawn to the tuba
• Didn't take it seriously until mid-way through his undergrad
• Being put in a piece of metal
• Was going to work on a fishing boat in Alaska
• Pantless Mahler 6 leading to a breaking and entering incident (and the launch of his career path)
• Studying with Ed Jones
• Learning the Three Furies 3rd movement in one night
• The influence of Gene Pokorny
• Making the simple beautiful
• Having to play catch up
• Studying with Matt Good and Dave Kirk
• Winning a few gigs before moving on to study with Gene Pokorny
• Ed provided the foundation of fundamentals, Matt helped him understand what to do with the sound and Gene helped him build a musical product he could sell
• Leaving a busy career in Chicago to go to Singapore
• Following his own path
• Singapore was too crowded for him so he moved on to Sweden
• The differences in playing in those orchestras
• Adding Iceland Symphony to the mix for a year
• Tim's wife, Jessica (who he met while she was Principal Trombone in the same Swedish orchestra) also won a gig in Iceland and they eventually moved there
• Having five kids
• Flying with a tuba (hilarity and bent metal)
• Audition strategy, switching from being physically prepared to be mentally prepared
• Tim's forthcoming (hypothetical) book"The Death of American Brass Playing Due to the 3 T's (Tone, Time, Tuning)"
• How do I make an emotional connection with a listener?
• The 3 T's are too procedural and disconnect the player from the listener
• Running mental audition processes ahead of auditions, changing the variables each time, always simulation culminating with him being announced as a winner
• Every audition system is flawed in some way so you have to find a process to allow you to succeed in any situation
• The influence of the book, "Unleash the Warrior Within" by Richard Machowicz
• Mental toughness

LINKS:

• Tim's Melbourne Symphony bio page
• Tim's facebook page

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ110: Listener's Choice - How to Start a Brass Group, Part 2

In this Listener's Choice episode, Andrew & Lance follow up with more information on starting a brass group.

Topics include:

• Killer squirrels
• Rehearsal techniques
• How will you present the art?
• Being producers of music vs. consumers of music
• Lindberg (not that one)
• Collaborations with other artists like the T'Ang Quartet, Imani Winds, Enso Quartet, etc.
• How do you find gigs?
• Working with management
• How to spend $20,000
• Do the legwork

LINKS:

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

Richard A. White is the subject of the upcoming documentary, "R.A.W. Tuba" and is one of our most inspirational guests. He spoke with us about his life, his career, and the upcoming film.

From his website:

With over two decades of performing on the world’s classical music stages, tubist Richard White has matured into a musician known for his clear sound and stylistic flexibility. He began his tuba studies with Ed. Goldstein at age twelve at The Baltimore School for the Performing Arts, where he graduated with honors. He then went to the Peabody Conservatory of Music to study with David Fedderly (Principal Tubist, Baltimore Symphony) where he received his Bachelor’s degree. On the advice of Mr. Fedderly, Richard traveled to Indiana University to study with the legendary Professor Daniel Perantoni. He continued his studies there receiving both his Master’s and Doctoral degrees. Richard Antoine White, also known as RawTuba, is the first African American, to receive a DM in Tuba!

Dr. White held the position of Principal Tubist with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra from 2004 until it’s untimely demise in 2011 and is currently in his seventh season as Principal Tubist of the New Mexico Philharmonic. Dr. White is also principal tubist with The Santa Fe Symphony and Chorus. Richard enjoys playing in the Duo, Diversity Matters, with pianist Pamela Viktoria Pyle, in addition to teaching at the University of New Mexico, where he is Associate Professor of tuba/euphonium, and Associate Director of the Spirit Marching Band. Dr. White has performed with the Canadian Brass Quintet, Indiana University Faculty Brass Quintet, New Mexico Symphony Brass Quintet, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Malaysian Philharmonic, Santa Fe Opera, Sphinx Symphony, Spoleto Music Festival U.S.A., Music in the Mountains, a summer festival located in beautiful Durango, CO, and many others. Dr. White is an Adams Artist and performs exclusively on these instruments.

Prior to moving to New Mexico, Dr. White was one of the top freelance musicians in the Indianapolis area, where he recorded with such greats as movie film composer John Williams, Cincinnati Pops conductor Eric Kunzel, and the late great wind ensemble conductor Frederik Fennell. Throughout his musical and educational career development, Dr. White has had a passionate interest in motivational speaking. That dream has recently materialized itself with the launching of his website rawtuba.com. Sharing inspirational thoughts and philosophies that have motivated Dr. White has taken him to Mexico, South America, Europe, South East Asia and across the United States of America – with more engagements on the horizon.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• How the "R.A.W. Tuba" film came about
• Bringing love to Baltimore
• The filming process
• Mr. P and his stool
• Having a literary agent
• Richard's story
• The water fountain
• The emotional toll it has taken on him
• Sam Pilafian's influence
• Building himself a gig at UNM by teaching football players respiratory function
• A kid named King playing a young Richard in the film
• Breaking into the filmmaker's car (with permission)
• Screenings always open with some sort of act
• Short intro followed by the film, a performance, a Q&A and performance of "We Are the World"
• Ed Goldstein and Dave Fedderly
• Meeting his natural father in Baltimore at a screening
• R.A.W. Tuba t-shirts
• Working with J.D. Shaw at UNM
• Playing in Brass Theater
• Breathing Gym
• His gig at UNM
• The importance of the hang
• Three rules for his studio: have fun, sound good, make music
• Motivational speaking
• Hustle and Flow
• Diversifying his professional portfolio
• Losing 64 lbs. and reclaiming his health
• Doing the right thing and behaving with integrity
• Loyalty
• Posting the rejection letters on his walls and ceiling

LINKS:

• Richard's website
• UNM Bio Page
• RAW Tuba Film
• Daily Beast Article about Richard
• CBS News profile of Richard

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ108: Jim "Don't call me BB" Nova on writing, driving and April Fooling.

Pittsburgh Symphony trombonist Jim Nova puts up with more abuse from Andrew & Lance for no good reason.

From his website:

My love for all musical things Star Wars began a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… As a six-year-old child, my father took my brother and me to see The Empire Strikes Back. Even at that age, I was overwhelmed with how important the music was to the storytelling, and thus began my lifelong love of the incredible scores of John Williams.

A few years later, at age nine, I began playing the trombone in my home state of Connecticut. As a child, I received my early musical exposure and training from my father, Anesti Nova. During high school, I studied with my first private trombone teacher, Assistant Principal/Second Trombonist of the Hartford Symphony, George Sanders.

After graduating high school I attended the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia where I received my bachelor’s degree studying with Glenn Dodson, who was Philadelphia Orchestra’s Principal Trombonist at the time. This is where the seed of this album A Fall from Light to Dark first began to grow. When I was a student at Curtis, Mr. Dodson would hold epic trombone get-togethers called, “Bone Bashes” where the Curtis trombone students and the Philadelphia Orchestra trombone section would play through incredible arrangements and transcriptions of all kinds of pieces. This where I first started to create my own trombone ensemble arrangements and transcriptions. Mr. Dodson’s Han Solo-like swagger was contagious as we would tackle these pieces.

I then moved to Boston to pursue a Master’s Degree on a full scholarship at the New England Conservatory of Music, studying with Norman Bolter who was Second Trombonist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Principal Trombone of the Boston Pops Orchestra at the time. It was during this time that Mr. Bolter fostered my “Start with what you can do” attitude that I still use today, in both my own artistic development as well as with my students. He truly was and still is, my master Yoda in so many ways.

After finishing my master’s degree, I freelanced in Boston for several years, substituting on a regular basis with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops Orchestra, making several recordings and television broadcasts with both groups as both principal and second trombone. It was here in Boston that my musical path first crossed with John Williams! I had the opportunity to perform with him on countless Boston Pops concerts and even performed on the world concert premiere of the concert suite from Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• The Bubble Butt Strikes Back
• The joke is on...?
• Parker soprano trombone mouthpiece
• Juilliard gig with Joe Alessi
• 40th "Trombone at the Movies" gig, featuring film music trombone choir arrangements at colleges and universities
• Soundcloud page has passed 750,000 listens
• ITF closing concert in summer of 2019 with full concert versions of the same music
• A "Who's Who" of amazing players on the ITF
• Christopher Bill crashing in his basement and an upcoming collaboration debuting May the Fourth
• Context is everything
• His evolving relationship with Joe Alessi
• Boston Brass Fanfare Project
• Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University, with a real-live Pappert Person
• Cathy Heller's podcast, "Don't Keep Your Day Job"
• Jim's cat is a coffee model
• Jim's lead foot
• Less horsepower than a horse
• Play in a big orchestra, drive a fast car
• He took off like a stabbed rat
• Paying for a ticket with a ticket
• Exhibition of speed
• Driving at race tracks and in driving schools
• Becoming a performance driving teacher
• Taking possession of his BMW while on tour with the PSO
• The Green Death
• Parallels between learning driving and learning trombone
• Jimmy James

LINKS:

• Jim's website
• Jim's PSO page
• Jim's Soundcloud page
• Jim's Duquesne University page
• Jim's arrangements for sale on Noteflight
• The International Trombone Festival concert Jim mentions

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ107: Christopher Bill, trombonist, singer, and multi-instrumentalist and internet sensation! Christopher is a trombonist, singer, and multi-instrumentalist based outside of NYC, but it’s more accurate to say he’s based on the internet. He has been playing piano since he was 6 years old, trombone since he was 10, and he has been composing/arranging since he was 12. Christopher has a Bachelor of Music for classical trombone performance from the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music in New York. While at the conservatory he studied with critically acclaimed trombonists Weston Sprott (Metropolitan Opera), Denson Paul-Pollard (Metropolitan Opera), John Fedchock (Grammy Nominated Jazz Trombonist), and the absolutely incomparable Timothy Albright. Christopher is best known for his all-trombone arrangements of popular songs. His YouTube Channel has been gaining popularity since the spring of 2014 when a cover of Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” where Christopher uses a looping station to compose the song on the spot went viral. His videos have amassed over 30 million views and a following of over 175,000 subscribers. In April of 2014, Christopher independently released his first cover album, Breakthrough, which was followed by his Christmas album, Smiling’s My Favorite. More recently, Christopher released an original pop album called Half Man, Half Machine which mixes acoustic sounds with electronic instruments. He is the Youth Workshop Coordinator of the International Trombone Festival and a marketing consultant for the International Trombone Association. Christopher enjoys a busy schedule of performances, clinics, and masterclasses. In addition to producing a new video every Saturday for his YouTube Channel, he often performs at festivals such as the American Trombone Workshop, Midwest Clinic, Texas Bandmasters Association, Con Brio Festivals, Conn-Selmer Institute, Western International Band Clinic, and the International Trombone Festival. In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Household name status (in Andrew's house)
• Recording in Andrew's basement
• Starting out exactly eight years ago as a freshman in college
• When it stopped being so cringy
• How his arranging chops have changed over time
• Using homework for fun and profit
• Using the arrangements to further develop as a musician
• The impact of shirt color in his arrangements
• How far he plans in advance
• Taking yourself seriously
• The importance of consistent uploads
• He hasn't missed a week in four years
• The Jerry Seinfeld of Trombone
• Leave Christopher's Grandmother out of this
• Two kinds of people: those who think they're cool and those who know they're not
• The "Take on Me" pic, (worth it)
• Cease and Desist
• Living off Patreon and YouTube ad revenue
• Exploring new platforms
• Focusing on select existing programs
• Figuring out what content works for your audience on the various platforms
• Sticking with it for three years before gaining traction
• The impact of the "Happy" video on his career
• What to do for the next project after a viral hit
• How much is too much for an audience
• How to do a cover without getting sued
• Meeting some of the folks who did the originals of the covers he's made
• Dennis Deyoung busting his hump
• Andrew's embouchure looks like he's eating a ham sandwich

LINKS:

• Christopher's site
• Christopher's YouTube Channel
• Christopher's Instagram page
• Sexy A-Ha vid
• Bonehemian Rhapsody

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

Legendary trumpeter Jim Pandolfi has one of the most amazing stories in music. Or most places.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• How Andrew and Jim first met in NYC many moons ago
• Applesauce
• Life out on Cape Cod (in the Dagobah System)
• "The older I get, the better I was"
• 15 years playing with The Met (wearing telescoping glasses due to an eye condition, macular degeneration)
• Having to leave before his vision loss got too bad
• How determination became the byword of his career
• The impact his attitude had on the other folks around him
• Playing loud (like really loud) in Japan on Samson and Delilah
• Overcoming the involuntary response with excellence
• Be a musician who happens to play the trumpet
• Practicing golf in his apartment (between the aquarium, the big-screen TV, the piano and his horns)
• Mark Gould locking in musically and personally
• Surviving in a symphony orchestra (the 3 most important rules)
• Only needed 4 or five notes to make an assessment of someone's playing
• The development of his teaching style and philosophy
• Everybody wants to play loud but most play too heavy (bear down too much)
• Listening to Bryn Terfel, connecting the power coming from the reserve (feel the reserve, don't push)
• How they get the fork to their mouth in the morning
• Pick up your chest
• Have the sound come from behind your sternum
• Take pause
• Single tonguing
• Set and forget tonguing
• The difference between thinking and concentration
• How well can you concentrate?
• Puttin' on the Ritz (during Flying Dutchman)
• More Gould stories (with Rich Kelley cameos)
• Peter Weller playing Clifford Brown tunes on Pandolfi's horn while driving golf balls between opera acts
• Mel Broiles influence on Jim
• Fantastic Mel stories (both music- and aviation-related)
• "Mel Broiles, Starring in His Own Movie"

LINKS:

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

Seth Horner, tubist of the North Carolina Symphony on talking to himself, studying with David Fedderly and his box of mouthpieces. Seth Horner on trusting your gut, turning down a military band gig and phrasing. From his website: A native of Eugene, Oregon, Seth Horner is the newly-appointed principal tuba of the North Carolina Symphony in Raleigh, NC. Horner was the acting-principal tuba of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for three seasons beginning in 2014, served as part-time instrumental faculty teaching tuba and euphonium at Towson University for three semesters, and in winter of 2017 Horner was selected as the tuba instructor at the Peabody Conservatory before relocating to North Carolina. At the age of 19, Seth served a one-year position as principal tuba of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra under Marin Alsop and has held positions as the principal tuba of the West Virginia Symphony and the Oregon Ballet Theatre Orchestra. Seth studied primarily with Richard Frazier, Mike Grose, Paul Krzywicki, Warren Deck, and David Fedderly. Horner attended the Peabody Conservatory, was an honors graduate of the University of Oregon and was valedictorian of his class at the Curtis Institute of Music.

Seth had performed frequently with the Baltimore Symphony prior to assuming a full-time position in 2014 and performed during the BSO’s west coast tour and its 2010, 2014, and 2016 Carnegie Hall appearances with Marin Alsop. He can be heard on the BSO’s two most recent albums featuring the symphonies of Leonard Bernstein conducted by Marin Alsop (Naxos), as well as Ms. Alsop's recording with the Colorado Symphony of Roy Harris Symphonies 3 and 4 (Naxos). Horner has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, National Symphony, Kennedy Center Opera, New Jersey Symphony, Louisville Symphony, Oregon Symphony, and New World Symphony among others. He has made chamber music appearances with the Washington Symphonic Brass, the Bay Street Brassworks, and the Clipper City Brass. Horner was a featured soloist with the Capital Wind Symphony in Vienna, VA, and was a finalist at the 2010 International Tuba and Euphonium Conference.

Seth Horner has served as an audition panel member and coach for Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America as well as Carnegie’s NYO2. In the summer, he has been on the faculty of Wyoming Seminary’s Performing Arts Institute in Kingston, PA as the instructor of tuba and euphonium as well as performing with the Oregon Bach Festival and Britt Festival orchestras. Mr. Horner has given masterclasses at the University of Oregon, Ithaca University, and Towson University. Seth resides in Durham, NC.

In this fun and lively episode, we cover:

• Lance is grumpy (and whelmed)
• Seth talking to himself
• Life is good
• Being a professional tuba player is the best gig in the world
• Andrew's coffee issues
• Saints and Rams controversy
• The Durham NC minor league baseball team (the Bulls, from Bull Durham fame)
• His fiance found his box of mouthpieces and questioned the whole relationship
• Mike Parker's mouthpiece issues
• Seth's grandfather was a tuba player, had a family band
• Andrew's most recent Jacob's Podcast episode about an influential Rex Martin class and the influence of the mouthpiece selection
• Tage Larsen of the Chicago Symphony
• Chris Hall and Chris Hall
• Don't pick a fight with a child or an animal
• Playing in the Baltimore Symphony for three seasons after David Fedderly's retirement
• Studying with Fedderly
• Baltimore Brass Company (and how it compared to working with the BSO)
• Dave Fedderly: Action-packed with wisdom
• The most important teacher of music is life
• The importance of phrasing and sub-phrasing
• Playing with the North Carolina Symphony
• Playing for elementary school students all over North Carolina
• How the state supports the organization
• Bubble Butt
• Turning down a military band position
• Trusting your gut
• Meeting Andrew at the Greensboro tuba conference (Lance was there too)
• The Captain's Log

LINKS:

https://www.sethhorner.com/

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ103: Joe Lovinsky, horn phenom, discusses his time in the Army band, being a sharp-shooter, cage fighter, and ultra runner. Yes really. 100-Mile Joe!

Joe Lovinsky is an amazing player, teacher, and person. He sits down with Andrew & Lance to discuss why he may, in fact, be the most interesting man in the world!

From his bio page:

Joseph Lovinsky, principal horn and frequent soloist of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, was appointed to this position by world-renowned horn soloist Barry Tuckwell. Lovinsky, the former principal horn of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” as well as The Army Orchestra, and The Army Brass Quintet in Washington DC, was also a frequent soloist with those ensembles. From 2013-2018, Joe taught at the Shenandoah Conservatory at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, where he was a member of both the Faculty Brass and Wind Quintets. Joseph was horn instructor of the 2014 Music for All Summer Symposium at Ball State University and the 2016 Chamber Music National Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana. Joseph Lovinsky is a "Yamaha Performing Artist."

"You'll never know how far you can go unless you try to go too far"

Joseph Lovinsky, Play Without Limits

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Joe's nervousness
• Playing Principal horn in Pershing's Own Army Band for over 20 years
• The various amazing players who played in the Army Band Brass Quintet over the years
• The Amazing Harry Watters
• Joe's joke
• iPad music reader fail
• Empire Brass story, signals crossed
• JD Shaw joining the quintet in a very special piece of performance art
• Battle of the Bands
• Playing in a variety of smaller orchestras in Florida while in "retirement"
• Joanna Hersey texting Joe (to warn him?)
• Difference between playing in orchestras vs. quintets
• Work on endurance and technical ability for quintet playing
• Being homeless while a student at Juilliard due to a student loan glitch (and fantastic Peter Mennin story), sleeping in a practice room
• Studying with James Chambers
• Joe's sister is a Federal Prosecutor
• Leaving Curtis to go to Juilliard
• Growing up in inner-city Miami (Liberty City)
• Being a security guard at Trump Plaza and Trump Tower
• Celebrity sightings
• Johnny Carson
• Woody English
• No downside to being a nice person
• The influence of Joe's Dad, especially his character
• Joe's other fascinating (and wildly successful) siblings
• Cage fighting for fun and profit
• John Delancey (head of Curtis) calling him into his office and changing his life
• Becoming an ultra-runner

LINKS:

• Joe's personal page
• Tidewater Brass bio page
• Yamaha artist page

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

Classical Trumpeter and Gold Medal Global Music Award Winner Mary Elizabeth Bowden has been described by Gramophone Magazine as “brilliant” and “radiant in new repertoire for trumpet.” Bowden, a Yamaha Performing Artist, is highly regarded for her artistry and virtuosity as a soloist and has been praised for the clarity, purity, and power of her sound. Bowden released her debut album, “Radiance”, on Summit Records featuring new American works. She has been featured on MPR’s “New Classical Tracks” with Julie Amacher, which is being aired on NPR stations nationwide.

Bowden’s 2018-19 performance highlights include solo performances at the Maspalomas International Trumpet Festival in Gran Canaria and at Lieksa Brass Week in Finland. She will also perform as a soloist with the Kassia Ensemble, Chrysalis Chamber Players, Richmond Philharmonic, and will make her Vancouver and New York City recital debuts. She will release her second solo album through Summit Records with the Kassia Ensemble.

Bowden is the First Prize winner of the International Women’s Brass Conference Trumpet Competition. She has performed as a soloist with Montana’s Big Sky Festival, Evansville Philharmonic, Peninsula Symphony (California), Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra, Croatian Army Wind Band at the Velika Gorica Brass Festival, Festival Amadeus Strings (Montana), Springfield Symphony (Missouri), Naples Symphony, Fifth Avenue Chamber Orchestra (Florida), Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra, San Juan Symphony, Springfield (Ohio) Symphony Orchestra and New Haven Chamber Orchestra, among several others. She has performed with trumpet soloist Jouko Harjanne at the Lieksa Brass Week in Finland, where she also served on the jury of the Lieksa International Trumpet Competition. At The Banff Center in Alberta, Canada, she performed Vivaldi’s Concerto for 2 Trumpets with trumpeters Jens Lindemann and Ryan Anthony. She was also awarded the Public Prize from the Perrenoud Foundation International Music Competition. Bowden frequently performs in recital both in solo programs and as the Dash Duo with her husband, trumpeter David Dash. Bowden and Dash teach at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Dash as the Assistant Professor of Trumpet and Bowden as a Resident Artist.

Bowden is a founding member of both Seraph Brass and the Chrysalis Chamber Players, a recipient of a Yale Alumni Grant. Seraph will be a guest ensemble at the 2019 International Trumpet Guild Conference in Miami and was the featured ensemble at the International Women’s Brass Conference in 2017 and at the Lieksa Brass Week in Finland in 2017 and 18. They released their debut album, “Asteria,” through Summit Records in 2018, which has been awarded a Silver Medal Global Music Award. Bowden has collaborated in chamber music programs at the Marlboro Music Festival, Lakes Area Music Festival, The Banff Centre, and at the Sydney Opera House under the baton of Håkan Hardenberger. She has served on the adjunct faculty of Virginia Commonwealth University and at The Curtis Institute of Music’s Young Artist Summer Program.

An experienced orchestral musician, Bowden is currently Principal Trumpet of the Artosphere Festival Orchestra and a member of the Iris Orchestra. She has served as Principal Trumpet of the Sarasota Opera Orchestra, Lakes Area Music Festival Orchestra, New Zealand’s Auckland Philharmonia, the Daejeon Philharmonic in Korea, and with Seraphic Fire’s Firebird Chamber Orchestra. At the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland, she held the principal chair in Pierre Boulez’s performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 6, which was released on CD in 2011. The Luzerner Zeitung described her playing in one word – “outstanding.” Bowden is also a member of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed many dates on Adele’s 2016 North American tour.

Bowden began full-time college studies at the age of 14, receiving an Associate degree from the Joliet Junior College. Subsequently, she earned her Bachelor of Music degree from The Curtis Institute of Music, where she studied with the principal trumpeter of the Philadelphia Orchestra, David Bilger. She was awarded her Master of Music degree in 2006 from the Yale School of Music where she studied on a full scholarship with trumpeter Allan Dean.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Hanging in Naples Florida
• Her new teaching gig at Shenandoah Conservatory
• The application process for Shenandoah
• The importance of networking
• Lieksa Brass Week
• Five Year Goals
• Consortium project for Seraph Brass and Wind Ensemble
• Recording in Lieksa
• Crowdfunding the recording project via Indiegogo, raising over $26K(!!!)
• Adding a trumpet player to Seraph Brass
• How to plan for the Seraph seasons and projects
• Memorization
• Upcoming solo album, "Reverie," pre-order available on her site
• Recording with the Pittsburgh-based Kassia Ensemble
• Working with Rick DeJonge (frequently tortured pal of Andrew & Lance) on the arrangements for the album
• Choosing to release on Summit Records
• The current breakdown of her schedule
• Touring and performing with her husband as the Dash Duo
• Consortium for a new trumpet concerto
• Working with a composer on a new work
• "Challenge Accepted"
• The importance of risk-taking
• How and when to say no to gigs and opportunities
• Better to say no upfront than to back out later

LINKS:

• Mary's page
• Seraph Brass
• Dash Duo

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

Joe Jackson was born in Dallas, Texas into a musical family; his mother is a former professional clarinetist, and his father, Jim Jackson, a former trombonist with the Fort Worth Symphony, is today a renown recording engineer.

Joe chose the trombone at age 12, and during his high school years was the recipient of three Down Beat Magazine “DeeBee” awards. During his tenure at the University of North Texas, Joe studied with Vern Kagarice, Hal Galper, David Liebman, and Don “Jake” Jacoby, played lead & jazz trombone in the famed One O’Clock Lab Band, and was named the National Association of Jazz Educators 1985 College Musician of the Year.

Joe left UNT in 1990 to join the Maynard Ferguson Band. He spent a year with Ferguson, performing throughout the United States and in Europe. From 1991 to 2011 he was lead trombonist with the U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note, and from 2004 to 2011 was the Director of the Airmen of Note. During his tenure as Director, Joe produced the award-winning Jazz Heritage Series heard on 112 radio and media stations worldwide, and eight recordings including “Cool Yule” which climbed to #2 on the JazzWeek chart in December 2010.

As a freelance trombonist and arranger, Joe performs with top East Coast bands including the Woody Herman Orchestra, the David Liebman Big Band & Chaise Lounge. Additionally, he performs regularly in DC-area theatre productions and is in high demand as a session player. He has contributed hundreds of commissioned arrangements to dozens of ensembles across the country, and his educational arrangements are published by Alfred Music. Joe has appeared as a clinician & soloist at music festivals across the country.

Joe publishes his website dedicated to serving the trombone community, www.jazztbone.com.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Euphonium buyback program
• Tubas with kickstands
• Swiss Army Knife Gig Machine Person (SAKGMP)
• Joe's parents
• Recording with his Dad and the Airmen of Note
• Getting recycled in basic training
• "The Terrible Airman" march
• Basic training philosophy
• The value in extending his stay in San Antonio
• The day the drill instructors found out you would outrank them
• OICU812
• Sorry A**-ed Individual
• Downbeat Magazine DB awards
• The impact and influence of Joe's band directors
• The Airmen of Note
• Selling candy
• "Choir, stand up."
• Playing with Maynard Ferguson Band
• A Tale of Two Airmen
• Becoming the director of the Airmen of Note 2004-2011
• Programming themed CDs
• Recording live CDs, especially "Airmen of Note, Live"
• Glenn Miller
• "Cool Yule"
• Growing where you're planted
• Advantages/disadvantages of having an officer in charge
• "Earl Williams Trombones, Out of Business Since 1973"
• Where Joe is playing these days
• Percentage of classical vs. jazz playing in Joe's current life
• "Like Wes, but with affirming parents"
• Joe's transcription work

LINKS:

Joe's site

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ101: Intern Listener's Choice. Our first batch of interns for this year fire off some amazing questions for us to tackle.

We have always relied on interns to help us carry the ball forward in Pedal Note Media and have ramped up our efforts this year. We are incredibly fortunate to have such talented and intelligent folks helping us out and one of the ways we're trying to return the favor for them is to help them with their own careers and projects. This first batch is about to end their time with us and we thought it'd be a great time to let you hear their voices and thank them publically. They asked great questions. They did great work. They are great folks. Thank you, interns!

Andrew & Lance

DRAKE DOMININGUE

Hey guys!

My name is Drake Domingue and I’m a tuba player currently based out of Las Cruces, NM where I work freelancing and building custom french horns for Patterson Hornworks.

I’ve heard a lot of differing opinions on doubling and am interested in what you all have to say on the matter.

I’ve learned quickly over my short career as a tuba player that the best way to make a living playing tuba is by playing bass guitar and trombone

I do a lot of sub work with orchestras in the area, but most of the playing I do is Latin/Funk/Pop in nature. Not to mention, making people dance can be way more satisfying than watching a stuffy crowd be confused about when to clap.

I can begin to understand the logic behind not wanting to half-ass anything, especially playing an instrument, but the people I play with don’t seem to mind at all that I’m not an artist level bass or trombone player, and I sure don’t mind bringing in a few extra hundred bucks a month.

What are your thoughts? Should low brass players (especially tuba and euphonium players) learn a secondary instrument? Should it be a requirement?

CODY MESSERSMITH

Hi, Andrew and Lance! I’m Cody Messersmith, Intermediate Music Specialist in the Dallastown Area School District in York, Pennsylvania. I freelance as a tubist and have done work on the side for instrument repair companies as well as Parker Mouthpieces. My short-term goals include going back to school to pursue a degree or degrees in tuba performance. I feel that I’ve worn a lot of hats in my short career and the one that seems to bring me the most joy is when the horn is on my face, either playing or teaching. I’d also love to speak to groups of students about the opportunities that they have in school and immediately after college. Being a young person in this field can be and at times is intimidating and I want to help lessen that intimidation for my peers. I’ve written a presentation that talks about just that, it’s geared towards college students and young professionals. I’d love to present it, but I’m not sure how to go about it. Overall I feel like I’m constantly building but I don’t know where my destination is or should be. How do I find it? I just want to play tuba and as Lance would say “live indoors and eat food.”

ARMANDO ALICANDU

Hey, Junkies, my name is Armando Alicandu and I live in South Florida where I play the trombone and euphonium. As I finish my final year at Palm Beach Atlantic University I look towards the future and wonder what I'll do with all this extra time on my hands.

During gigging season I find myself playing with a brass quintet for one rehearsal and the gig and then we disperse- like... "See ya next year!". I would like to form a chamber group that consistently rehearses and performs for community outreach events, also taking gigs to make some cash.

some of the challenges I've faced with establishing and maintaining a chamber group in general are

1 finding the right people to work with as far as being available for consistent scheduling and being motivated to edify the group In general.

2 finding venues to perform, both for free and for profit.

I have a brass quintet in mind because of the available rep. but maybe there are other combinations that would be easier to coordinate.

How would you recommended I tackle these 2 issues in the process of forming a chamber group.

DOMINICK VIVIANO

Hey everyone! My name is Dominick Viviano and I am a second-year masters student at the University of Central Arkansas where I study trombone performance. I serve as a studio graduate assistant which allows me to teach undergraduate applied lessons for non-majors as well as assist with our two trombone choirs.

My primary career goal is to be a college trombone professor. My question for the Brass Junkies is this, could you outline the process from writing and updating your CV through the interview and audition process for securing a college teaching job. I know that there are unique elements for every position, but a general overview of your experiences would be great. Details about the actual day, from showing up to what you ate to how you dressed would be helpful as well.

Also, what advice would you give this next generation of applied professors coming into the field?

SIMON LENOE

What is the best advice anyone has ever given you in regards to teaching effectively?

ABBY LANNAN

Hello everyone, my name is Abby Lannan and I am a euphonium player who is currently studying to get her masters degree in euphonium performance at Carnegie Mellon with Lance LaDuke. I also run the Instagram and youtube page for GoofyEuph. My short-term goal includes getting a second masters degree in Arts Management and my question has something related to that.

How hard is it to find a playing or performing outlet for someone whose goal isn’t to end up with a top playing position? I personally have no interest in pursuing military band positions or similar jobs where my day to day job is only performing on my instrument. However, I want to keep playing and keep getting better. What are some suggestions that you guys might have for a musician like me?

LINKS:

Mockingbird Foundation for Music Education

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

The legendary Sam Pilafian on Empire Brass, Leonard Bernstein, and life-threatening pedagogy. We talk about his life as a tubist, arranger, composer, educator, performer, producer, and mentor (and countless other descriptors) on our 100th episode.

Sam Pilafian is perhaps best known as a founding member of the internationally renowned Empire Brass Quintet (1971-1993). He has also recorded and performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Lionel Hampton, and Pink Floyd among others.

His long career has earned him an Emmy for Excellence in Instructional Video Production, the Walt Disney Award for Imagination and Innovation in Design, the Walter Naumberg Chamber Music Award, the Harvard Music Association Prize, the University of Miami’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the Brevard Music Center Distinguished Alumni Award, the Robert Trotter Visiting Professorship at the University of Oregon and the annual Outstanding Teacher Award from Arizona State University.

Sam is the co-author, with Patrick Sheridan, of the best selling pedagogy texts and DVD’s “Breathing Gym” and “Brass Gym”. Professor Pilafian previously served for 44 years on the faculties of Boston University, the Tanglewood Institute, Berklee College of Music, Frost School of Music at the University of Miami and is Professor Emeritus at Arizona State University.

In this fun and lively (and tearful) discussion, we cover:

• The meaning of J
• Andrew as a student of Sam "Up an octave" story
• Life-threatening pedagogy
• The amazing story of Sam's recent battle with cancer
• Beating 3+ Million to 1 odds
• How studios turn into family
• Meeting Lance part 1, Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic
• Meeting Lance part 2, Army Band Conference
• Brass Band of Battle Creek
• Scott Hartman fruit salad
• Meeting Andrew, Andrew was 12 at Tanglewood
• Meeting Andrew, Andrew was 14 at BUTI
• The amazing array of young players Sam heard, coached and taught at Tanglewood
• Hearing Michael Sachs as a young player
• Leonard Bernstein and the beginnings of Empire Brass
• Oak trees
• Gunther Schuller, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Bernstein inspiring the beginnings of Empire Brass
• Gunther Schuller and Eugene Goossens playing name that tune
• Parallels with the Emerson String Quartet and how that inspired Empire Brass
• Finding the nucleus in the music
• Playing bass lines
• Working onstage with Alvin Ailey Dance Company at the opening of the Kennedy Center (in brown pajamas)
• Being Bernstein's daughter's bodyguard at the Kennedy Center reception
• How Empire Brass become a full-time gig
• Rolf Smedvig's playing
• A major Empire Brass blowup at Tanglewood witnessed by Andrew in 1993
• How Andrew got the gig with Dallas Brass while in a lesson with Sam
• The line between obnoxious and oblivious
• Scrapshoot
• Winning the 1976 Naumburg Chamber Music Prize, the first brass group to do so, leading to being picked up by Columbia Artists
• The Empire Brass recordings
• Bernstein "Always go towards growth"
• Seeing America on tour
• Learning to talk on stage
• His teacher, Connie Weldon
• Coming up in Miami
• Frederick Fennell encouraging Sam to diversify his career

LINKS:

Sam's site

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

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Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

Tom Holtz is a former member of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in Washington, DC. During his career with the Marine Band, Tom served as a soloist, an arranger, and as a concert moderator. He also performed with the United States Coast Guard Band in New London, CT, and was featured as a soloist twice with the Army Blues, from Ft. Myer, VA. He retired from active duty in 2012, after more than 21 years of service. Tom currently works for the Department of Veterans Affairs as the office manager of the Dundalk Vet Center, part of the VA Maryland Health Care System.

Tom is an active freelance musician in both classical and jazz venues across the mid-Atlantic region. He currently plays in the Bayfield Brass Quintet, from Annapolis, MD; and the Beltway Brass Quintet, from Fredericksburg, VA. Tom is also a regular member of two New Orleans-style jazz bands, Big Bertha’s Rhythm Kings, from Baltimore, MD; and the Creole Gumbo Jazz Band, from Chesapeake Beach, MD. He also plays in the Balkan gypsy band Balti Mare, from Baltimore, MD; Off Bass Brass, a tuba quartet based in Washington, DC.; and Heimat Echo, a traditional German polka band from Occoquan, VA.

Tom is a frequent recording artist, having made several CD’s with the Bayfield Brass Quintet, the Beltway Brass Quintet, and Off Bass Brass. His arrangements have been performed by numerous brass quintets, the United States Marine Band, the Chesapeake Orchestra, and the University of Maryland Marching Band. He is an active clinician and adjudicator nationwide.

A native of Geneseo, Illinois, Tom Holtz received his Bachelor of Music degree in 1991 from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. He now lives in Maryland with his wife, Becky, and his sons Alex, Doug and J.J.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Marine Band
• Jazz tuba
• Less is more in jazz
• Picking a strategy for standing out in his improv
• Getting thrown to the wolves on a gig in high school
• Knowing your scales
• Learning by listening and doing
• Jamie Abersold tracks
• Picking notes in a moment that are a line and that lead you to a spot and indicate your direction to the rest of the band
• Comparing improv learning to juggling
• Using your existing strengths as an entry point
• Homework for bass lines is scales then easy tunes with easy bass lines
• The importance of writing out the changes and figuring out the form and structure of a tune
• Playing along with a recording of the tune
• Aim for clear and obvious, rather than fancy or showy
• Keep time, the importance of keeping time
• The differences (and similarities) between playing bass lines and solos
• Travelin' Light
• On solos, start with the melody and mess around with it
• Becoming your own player
• The major influence of Dan Perantoni (and Dan's piano chops)
• Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Kirk Joseph
• Rich Matteson and The Dukes of Dixieland
• How playing in The President's Own Marine Band helped him play bass lines
• Record yourself and look at the waveform
• Fat Slice
• Tonal Energy Tuner
• What is happening in his head while he's playing
• Settle down and do the job
• Tension is the enemy of tone (Joe Alessi)
• Focus on the front end of the notes
• David Fedderly
• Using a bass amp with his helicon
• Horn and gear from car to gig in one trip
• Phil Jones bass amp
• Finding his helicon thanks to Steve Dillon
• Adding a cup holder and a wireless mic to his horn

Links

• Tom's website
• Phil Jones bass amps

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

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Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

Trumpet soloist Buddy Deshler is an ambassador for the transformative powers of the arts, champion of living composers, and agent for change in the instrumental music field. His burgeoning career has taken him around the country, as well as internationally, and has allowed him to share the stage with ensembles such as the King’s Brass, The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, Foden's Band of Sandbach, Cheshire, his own Vice City Brass, and Marquee Brass, and as of 2017, the illustrious Dallas Brass.

In addition, Buddy has performed with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra, York Symphony, Delaware Symphony, Washington Chamber Orchestra, Concert Artists of Baltimore, American Festival Pops Orchestra, and more. He has also been in residency at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, Rafael Mendez Brass Institute, Le Domaine Forget in Quebec and the Banff Centre in Alberta, Canada.

Buddy presently resides in Midlothian, VA as an active freelance musician and educator. He holds a B.M. in Instrumental Performance and an Artist Diploma from the Frost School of Music, University of Miami and an M.M. Peabody Institute, Johns Hopkins University. His primary teachers have included Dennis Edelbrock, Phil Snedecor, Craig Morris, and Josef Burgstaller.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• How his life has forever been changed for the better due to his time with Andrew & Lance as an intern
• Fred Brass
• Tidewater Brass
• Entrepreneurial Student lectures
• Taking initiative
• The influence of Buddy's Mom
• TES Event Planner
• Lance's theory of technological competence as it relates to age
• Joining Dallas Brass
• "Frustratingly Refined"
• The importance of being organized
• Balancing the various parts of his career
• How he's planning for the future

LINKS:

• Buddy's personal site
• TES Event Planner
• Fred Brass
• Tidewater Brass
• Buddy's Instagram account
• Dallas Brass
• Buddy on TEM episode 142
• Buddy on TBJ episode 5

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
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• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

In this Listener's Choice episode, Andrew & Lance answer a frequently asked listener question regarding starting a brass group.

We cover many areas, including:

• Start with why
• Gigging group or full-time endeavor
• Traditional brass quintet instrumentation?
• Skills developed via chamber music
• The path if you want a gigging group
• Opportunities to play different musical roles
• The "who" decision
• "Good to Great" by Jim Collins
• Division of labor
• The Polka Bandits
• The Dead Animals
• 2 Red Performance Commando Unit
• Incorporate or not?
• Picking a name
• Branding
• Picking the right market for your skills
• Andrew's last Boston Brass gig

LINKS:

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Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

Jennifer Marotta is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. An active freelance musician based in Los Angeles, she regularly performs with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale, and the St. Louis Symphony.

Marotta is currently a member of the Grand Teton Music Festival and the Music of the Baroque in Chicago. She was a member of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band from 2001 to 2005.

Originally from Naperville, Illinois, she earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern University and her Master of Music degree from DePaul University.

Marotta was a visiting trumpet professor at UCLA in 2016 and was Assistant Professor of Trumpet at Kennesaw State University from 2006 to 2012. She was also a visiting professor at Illinois State University in 2006 and was an artist-in-residence at Emory University from 2006 to 2010.

Jennifer, along with her husband Thomas Hooten, is the most recent editor for Arban’s Complete Conservatory Method for Trumpet, published by Carl Fischer. She serves on the board for the International Women’s Brass Conference and is the editor for their bi-annual newsletter.

In this fun and lively conversation, we cover:

• Teaching at USC
• Subbing for Jens at UCLA
• Freelancing and travel
• Playing in the US Marine Band
• St. Louis and Atlanta on the way to LA
• Being married to another professional trumpet player (Thomas Hooten, Principal trumpet in the LA Phil
• Similar teaching styles with Tom
• Differences in their playing styles
• Ambassador of Euphonium, Adam Frey
• Kennesaw State with Tom Gibson, Wes Funderburk, and Dave Kehler
• Studying with Barbara Butler
• Balancing fundamentals with musical communication
• Treating each student in a way that is best for them
• Taking the best stuff from her teachers and heroes
• The USC students study with both of them and switch each semester
• Teton Festival
• Playing in "The President's Own" United States Marine Band
• Joining the band just after 9/11
• Seven-week tours and "Tour Babies"
• Playing for President Reagan's funeral in 90-degree heat
• Playing with the Atlanta Opera
• Being on the board of the International Women's Brass Conference and editor of the newsletter
• Playing with the Monarch Brass
• Ask a Performer site

LINKS:

• Personal Site
• USC Bio Page
• Ask A Performer Site
• Arban's

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
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• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ95: TEM Takeover! In this crossover episode, we hear Andrew in conversation with Jeff Conner from The Entrepreneurial Musician podcast.

Jeff Conner has performed in over 30 countries on 4 continents with his brass quintet, Boston Brass. Jeff talks about how they went from a college group playing small gigs around the Boston area to an internationally touring, full-time ensemble.

Topics Covered:

• How he got a powerful Boston businessman to financially support Boston Brass

• The importance of having mentors that inspire you

• Perseverance being a key to success

• Not being afraid of the word no

• Networking being a longterm process

• Why developing your own brand is essential

• The book he wrote with John Laverty, The Porfolio Musician, in which they detail the careers of over 40 different musicians

Links:

• Boston Brass

Books:

• The Portfolio Musician: Case Studies in Success

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
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• Tell your friends!

Original episode produced by Austin Boyer and Buddy Deshler of FredBrass. This version lovingly produced by Will Houchin.

Dr. Gail Robertson serves as Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium/Jazz at the University of Central Arkansas where she is tubist in the Pinnacle Brass and teaches the Jazz Ensemble II. She earned her B.A. degree from the University of Central Florida and an M.M. in Euphonium Performance from Indiana University while serving as graduate assistant to Harvey Phillips. She postponed her doctoral studies at the University of Maryland with Dr. Brian Bowman to perform with the “Tubafours” at Walt Disney World, Orlando where she served as musical supervisor/chief arranger and produced a highly acclaimed CD, “Tubas Under the Boardwalk.” She has recently completed her D.M.A. as a University Distinguished Fellow at Michigan State University studying with Phil Sinder, Ava Ordman, and Ricardo Lorenz. She has taught on the faculties of Eastern Michigan University, the University of Central Florida, Bethune-Cookman University, the University of Florida, and remains active as a teacher, adjudicator, composer, arranger, and free-lance artist, both nationally and internationally.

I this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Moving!
• Playing with the Brass Band of Battle Creek
• Spider bites
• Her crazy summer
• Blossom Festival Band with Loras Schissel and Travis Scott
• Getting her DMA in 18 months at Michigan State University
• The Tubafours
• Teaching at Eastern Michigan University
• Joining the faculty at the University of Central Arkansas
• Starting on sax
• Playing with Willie Clark and Mark Thiele
• The beginnings of her arranging career
• Hanging with Mr. Miyagi (or not)
• Her current gig at UCA
• Lessons learned from Harvey Phillips
• Being a bari sax rock star
• New Sousa Band
• River City Brass Band
• Symbiosis Duo with Stacy Baker
• Playing with the Monarch Brass
• Athena Brass Band
• Owning a red pickup and pulling stuff with it
• Fishing lure recommendations
• Living with Tom Gillette for a year, shooting arrows and learning about Leonard Falcone
• Serving as President-Elect for ITEA
• Jerry Young
• Lance's Fucik Uke article
• Her upcoming trip the US Virgin Islands
• New pieces with euphonium and cajon
• Her love for the glockenspiel

LINKS:

• Gail's page
• University of Central Arkansas bio page
• Willson Euphoniums bio page
• Warburton USA bio page
• Lance's Fucik Uke Article

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

Euphonium and Tuba artist (and long-time buddy of Lance) Matt Tropman shares incredible stories of music, survival, and mayhem. Not necessarily in that order.

Matt Tropman currently serves as Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Arizona and is an active freelancer, soloist, and chamber musician. His performances have been praised in numerous publications such as the New York Times, which stated: “Tropman makes a serious case for the euphonium as a solo instrument.” An active clinician and recitalist on both the euphonium and tuba, Matt has performed and taught throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Matt’s two commercially released two CD’s; Continuum and From the Balcony (Summit Records), have been featured on programs such as NPR’s “All Things Considered”. He has performed with numerous bands, orchestras and chamber groups including the San Francisco Symphony and the Detroit Symphony. In his early career as a member of the U.S. Marine Band (President’s Own), he frequently performed as a soloist throughout the U.S. on the band’s National concert tours.

Dr. Tropman received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in euphonium performance from the University of Michigan and Arizona State University, respectively, and the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in tuba performance from the University of Michigan.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Improv comedy
• Potato
• The Tucson Improv Movement/The Soapbox
• Manifesting a Memory
• What Michael from "The Office," Matt and Lance all have in common
• Matt's summer trips
• New recording project
• Notes From the Balcony
• Recording rage stories
• Matt's horrific bike crash, injury, and recovery
• Helpful Body Modification (part of the dual album)
• "Tropman Pinky"
• The injury recovery process and physical therapy
• Detroit Symphony as a motivator
• Using music as a means of helping with his recovery
• "What's the Deal With Classical Music"
• Constant Tingle (Three-fer!)

LINKS:

• Matt's webpage
• U of Arizona bio page
• Euphonium Assassin article
• Adams artist page

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ92: Jason Ayoub, Principal Horn in The US Navy Band on Dallas Brass, playing with Charlie Vernon and meeting a moose

Chief Musician Jason Ayoub is the Principal Horn in the Navy Band and teaches at Towson University.

Chief Musician Jason Ayoub, a native of El Paso, Texas, joined the Navy Band in 2006. He received his Bachelor of Music from the University of North Texas (UNT), where he studied with William Scharnberg. During his final year at UNT, he joined the nationally acclaimed Dallas Brass. For four years he toured extensively with the ensemble throughout the United States and gave more than 300 performances and master classes. He has been a featured clinician and soloist at The Midwest Clinic as well as numerous Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) regional and national conferences.

Ayoub served as third horn with the Waco Symphony from 2001-2003 and third horn with the Delaware Symphony from 2003-2007 and has performed regularly with the Kennett and Baltimore Symphonies. He has also been a guest soloist with the Jackson, Scranton, Louisville and Utah Symphonies. He is featured as the solo horn on Ståle Kleiberg's "Requiem for the Victims of Nazi Persecution", recorded at Washington National Cathedral.

In this fun and lively episode, we cover:

• How 19 years have passed since Andy, I mean Andrew was in Dallas Brass with Jason
• Bladder control
• Navy Band bus seating
• Dallas Brass
• Joining the Navy Band in 2006
• The joys of basic training
• Studied at North Texas
• Traveling and playing gigs
• "I learned a lot from you, even."
• New Albany Tennessee
• Best Dallas Brass gigs over the years
• Hot springs in Alaska
• Meeting a moose
• Playing with Charlie Vernon
• Navy Band audition process
• Brass player name-dropping
• American Band College
• Dan Hostetler
• Trying to learn drum kit
• A typical day in the Navy Band
• Touring with the Navy Band
• Teaching at Towson State University
• How he spends his crazy long commute
• Playing with Tage Larsen
• Jason's wife with the typical bassoon, ukulele, accordion doubling

LINKS:

• Navy Band bio
• Towson University bio

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

Canadian Tubist Jarrett McCourt is the Acting Principal Tuba of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Tubist of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Prior to this, Jarrett was the Tuba Fellow of the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida. Jarrett’s playing has been called “magnificent” by the Palm Beach Daily News and “warm, romantic and seamless” by the South Florida Classical Review. Jarrett has performed with a number of different high-level ensembles, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Flint Symphony Orchestra, the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, and has also performed as Acting Principal Tuba with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Additionally, Jarrett has performed under classical conductors such as Michael Tilson Thomas, Robert Spano, James Gaffigan, Susanna Mälkki and Leonard Slatkin, as well as alongside jazz heavyweights such as Esperanza Spalding, Wayne Bergeron, and Nicholas Payton.

In this fun and lively (and sometimes powerful and moving) conversation, we cover:

• "Warm, romantic and seamless"
• Chicago, playing with the Civic Orchestra
• Moving from Miami and driving from Florida to Illinois
• Playing with New World Symphony
• Playing with Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
• Exit interview with NWS CEO, Howard Herring
• The new concert hall for NWS, live projection of performances on the side of the building
• The differences in culture between New World and Civic and Winnipeg
• MTTs advice as a newbie in NWS
• His suggestions to NWS addressing mental health initiatives
• Mental health person on staff at U of Michigan School of Music
• Pressures on professional musicians
• Working for a suicide hotline for two years as an undergrad
• Basic self-care tactics (food, sleep, hydration, etc.)
• Connecting with audiences in more personal and genuine ways
• Developing coping skills
• Active listening, acknowledge realistically and offer concrete advice
• If you suspect something, express something
• His suggestions for systemic changes in educational and professional environments
• Help others feel comfortable
• Noa Kageyama
• Meditation
• Personal highlight reel
• Achievement/Gratitude journaling
• Baby steps
• Taking every day as it comes

LINKS:

• Personal site
• New World Symphony profile
• Bulletproof Musician

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ90: New Seraph Brass trumpeter Raquel Rodriquez on her new gig at UNT, traveling to the Lieksa Brass Week and recovering from a chop sunburn.

Raquel Rodriquez is the newly appointed Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of North Texas (Fall of 2018). Prior to that, she was the Assistant Professor of Trumpet at Tennessee Tech University. Dr. Rodriquez maintains a versatile career as a performing artist, clinician, educator, and scholar. She has performed throughout China, Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States. Raquel is a member of Seraph Brass, a brass quintet comprised of top female brass players in North America. The group performs frequently around the country and abroad.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• Sunburn
• How her kindergarten teacher (Mrs. Hogan, from Kermit, Texas) re-routed the pronunciation of her name
• Growing up in west Texas
• Starting on trumpet in beginner band, getting into in high school marching band
• Her band director got her taking lessons, even drove her there, listening to great brass recordings along the way
• Growing up in a small Texas town
• The influence of great music teachers
• Getting a degree in music education and the influence of DCI and marching bands
• Marching with Star of Indiana/Brass Theater/Blast
• Getting her doctorate at UNT
• The transition from Star of Indiana to Brass Theater to Blast
• Performance anxiety
• Lance's beta-blocker rant
• "Trumpet players are neurotic"
• "All trumpet players are glory hounds"
• Heading to the Lieksa Brass Week in Finland with Seraph Brass, a sextet
• The difficulty of balancing busy schedules with playing chamber music
• ITG in 2019 with Seraph (as a sextet) in Miami
• Her new gig as Assistant Professor of Trumpet at UNT, along with Caleb Hudson and John Holt (on the classical side)

LINKS:

• Raquel's personal page
• UNT bio page
• Denis Wick bio page
• Seraph Brass

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ89: David Gordon of the Seattle Symphony on Boston, Mahler and giving it your all.

David Gordon, whose playing has been described as “spectacular” by the Chicago Tribune, is Principal Trumpet of the Seattle Symphony and Chicago's Grant Park Symphony Orchestra.

As a soloist, Gordon has appeared with the symphony orchestras of Seattle, Grant Park, and Charleston (with whom he performed as soloist every season of his tenure), the National Repertory Orchestra and the Lake George Chamber Orchestra. He has performed as Principal Trumpet of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and has also performed, recorded and toured as Principal Trumpet of the London Symphony Orchestra and as Trompette Solo of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

• How playing with Mahler 2 with Andrew early on changed his life
• Studied at Columbia (Philosophy) and Juilliard
• Won Charleston and Grant Park gig right out of school, Seattle Symphony three years later, all Principal Trumpet
• Studies with Nato and Jim Pandolfi (TOUGH LOVE!)
• "He'll make you great or make you quit"
• Giving it your all
• Studies with Vacchiano
• Playing alongside great players early on
• Hearing recordings of Phil Smith's playing as an early influence
• The influence of Boston, a wave of pros-to-be
• Is there a "Boston" equivalent of today?
• Auditioning for Seattle (twice) at 24 and 25, hardest audition ever, an hour to play everything, close to fifty pieces in total, for Gerard Schwarz
• Playing for Boulez
• Mental challenges vs. physical in that audition
• Ramped up the intensity of preparation for the second one
• The importance of focus
• Budgeting his time and effort
• Playing under Schwarz
• Would you hire you?

LINKS:

• Washington University bio
• Seattle Symphony bio
• Seattle Chamber Music Society bio
• Grant Park Festival

Want to help the show? Here are some ways:

• Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes.
• Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron.
• Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.)
• Tell your friends!

Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

TBJ88: St. Louis Symphony trumpeter Jeff Strong on preparation, playing with the Marine Band and having an air blowing epiphany.

Jeffrey Strong of the St. Louis Symphony and formerly of the “President’s Own” US Marine Band, joined Andrew & Lance to detail his current gig, playing Taps in inclement weather and what he learned from Chris Martin.

In this fun and lively conversation, we cover:

• Blitzstein opera, Regina
• Finishing 3rd season with the SLSO
• Played in The President’s Own Marine Band
• Ficus tree story
• Played in the Civic Orchestra while studying at Northwestern
• Playing with Mike Martin and Thomas Siders
• Other rockstars in the Northwestern trumpet studio while he was there
• Festive Overture
• Playing under Mallory Thompson
• What it’s like to play Taps at Arlington Ceremony
• Getting punched in the gut by The Bathroom Fairy
• Playing ceremonies in various weather conditions
• Preparing for high pressure situations
• Jimmy Doolittle funeral
• Preparing for the St. Louis Symphony audition
• Chris Martin preparation style as a model
• Being methodical, considering as many variables as possible
• Mark Lawrence, “If its hard to do, you’re probably doing it wrong.”
• Working on jazz as a young player
• Being a musical chameleon/matching sound
• The importance of being analytical
• Air blowing epiphany
• Keeping notes/journaling to help keep track of progress and problems
• Problem is usually related to how something feels vs. how something sounds
• Playing with (and sleeping on the floor of) Achilles Liarmakopoulos of the Canadian Brass
• Quote board
• Playing in the St. Louis Symphony
• Open up the capillaries
• Two goat theory

LINKS:

• St. Louis Symphony bio page
• Jeff's LinkedIn page
• NPR interview
• St. Louis Symphony blog

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Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.