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The Brass Junkies

The Brass Junkies, hosted by former Boston Brass tuba player Andrew Hitz and a rotating cast of characters, features interviews with the best and brightest brass players in the world. Subject matter includes everything from the serious to the ridiculous, just like the music business.
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Now displaying: 2018
Dec 25, 2018

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.
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  • 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.










Dec 11, 2018

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:

  • 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.

Nov 27, 2018

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

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.

Nov 13, 2018

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:

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.

Oct 30, 2018

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:

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.

Oct 16, 2018

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:

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.

Oct 2, 2018

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:

Books:

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!

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

Sep 18, 2018

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:

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.

 

Sep 4, 2018

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:

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.

 

Aug 21, 2018

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:

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.

Aug 7, 2018

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:

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.

Jul 24, 2018

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:

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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  • 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.

 

 

Jul 10, 2018

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:

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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  • 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.

 

Jun 26, 2018

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:

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.

Jun 12, 2018

TBJ87: Craig Knox of the Pittsburgh Symphony on premiering the Jennifer Higdon Tuba Concerto, European road stories and the joys of palinka.

Craig Knox is Principal Tuba of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and a founding member of the Center City Brass Quintet. With these ensembles and others, he has performed for audiences across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, and been heard on recordings, and radio, television, and internet broadcasts around the world.

Mr. Knox works regularly with music students through his teaching positions at the Carnegie Mellon University School of Music in Pittsburgh, and the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, as well as at music festivals, seminars, and conservatories around the world, where he appears as a guest clinician.

In this fun and lively conversation, we cover:

  • Craig European road stories
  • Jeff Conner back in the day
  • Romanian palinka
  • Lance’s shoulder story
  • Craig’s tubas
  • Playing Bb tubas vs. C tubas
  • The premiere of the Jennifer Higdon Concerto in March of 2018
  • How the commission came about and the development of the piece
  • Anthony DiLorenzo
  • Studied and now teaches at Curtis
  • Audience response was great
  • The difference between the first performance and the second
  • Teaching at Curtis
  • Differences between Curtis and Carnegie Mellon
  • Center City Brass Quintet, started at Curtis
  • Studying with Sam Pilafian
  • The influence of Empire Brass
  • Playing with the Pittsburgh Symphony
  • More Sam stories!

LINKS:

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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  • 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.

May 29, 2018

TBJ86: Listener's Choice - The Falcone Festival

Lance and Andrew take up another Listeners' Choice episode to talk about the history and development of the Falcone Festival at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan.

Form the website:

The Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival has gained recognition as the premier event of its kind. Born in 1986 as a competition for both student and artist level euphonium performers, the event evolved into a true festival in 1991 when its sponsoring committee expanded its offerings to include lessons, ensembles, seminars, and clinics with some of the world's greatest euphonium virtuosi. The sponsoring committee again expanded the festival 1996 to include a full range of festival activities for tuba.

Student and artist level competitions remain integral to the Festival. The competition has a truly international flavor, with contestants attending from countries around the world.

The Falcone Festival is held each summer, over a four day period, and has been housed since its inception at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan. In addition to the competition aspect of the Festival, participants are offered the opportunity to attend master classes and recitals provided by internationally recognized euphonium/tuba artists. For more information about Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, please visit their web site at www.bluelake.org.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Andrew’s medication
  • Lance’s summer plans
  • Jimmy Kimmel and Bill Simmons
  • Boston Brass Portuguese cell phone story
  • Falcone Festival
  • Lance winning the 1st contest in the student level
  • Judging the competition and judging in general

LINKS:

Falcone Festival

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

May 15, 2018

TBJ85: Tom McCaslin, Tubist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra on audition prep, recording yourself and all things Canada.

Tom McCaslin, Tubist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Soloist, Teacher, and Clinician has been described by Fanfare Magazine as “one of the contemporary tuba virtuosos”. Originally from Regina, Saskatchewan Tom’s playing and teaching have taken him around the globe. He has performed and taught in Canada, the United States, Switzerland, Portugal, Finland, New Zealand and Australia.

As an orchestral musician he has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony, the Regina Symphony, the Winnipeg Symphony, the New Mexico Symphony, the Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto Casa da Música (Portugal), the Lahti Symphony (Finland) and was acting Principal Tuba in the Auckland Philharmonia (New Zealand).  In the summers he teaches at the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, NC, where he serves Principal Tuba with the EMF Festival Orchestra under the direction of Gerard Schwarz.

  • The Boston Brass “I Left My Pants in Sarnia, Canada” story
  • New gig in Calgary
  • Canada jokes!
  • Audition preparation
  • How he developed his ears with the help of Sam (Pilafian) and then on his own
  • Put a premium on recording himself (84 hours worth!)
  • Trust in your own abilities
  • Use physicality to override thought, play your way out of it
  • Audition prep with Sam at Tanglewood
  • Systematic
  • Used a randomizer app, put excerpts in and created rounds for himself
  • Daily round of most likely candidates
  • Day of audition, puts himself in a cocoon, noise-cancelling headphones
  • Listened to Bill Simmons podcast and pop music to keep his head clear
  • Studying with Sam Pilafian at Arizona State University
  • Travelin’ Light
  • Studying jazz
  • Boston Symphony audition
  • The support within Sam’s teaching studio
  • Recording solos with Sam as producer
  • Christmas his first year at ASU story, audition prep, followed by turkey prep
  • Teaching at East Carolina University
  • Looking for the quality of person more than quality of player
  • Teaching studio curation
  • The importance of the Studio Class hour, setting the expectations
  • Studying with Roger Bobo in Switzerland
  • The Dog Whisperer
  • “Sack of nicknick” story at Banff
  • Lance’s spot-on Jens impression
  • Andrew’s Banff story with Joe Alessi in Jens’ Porsche
  • Sweat out the bad

LINKS:

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.

May 1, 2018

TBJ84: Brass legend Mark Gould boldly goes where no other guests have gone before!

Mark Gould, the former Principal trumpet of The Met, the mastermind behind Pink Baby Monster and author of the hilarious new book, "Orchestra Confidential" joins Andrew & Lance in an episode filled with laughs, stories and swear words. Like, a lot of swear words.

WARNING: As mentioned in the above description, this interview is more "adult" than our usual fare. If you are sensitive to this sort of thing, maybe sit this one out. You've been warned.

In this fun and lively conversation, we cover:

  • The first time Gould conducted The Boston Brass Kenton Christmas Carol show
  • How his new book "Orchestra Confidential" came to be
  • Pink Baby Monster, Elixirs and the Banff stories
  • Reagan masks and inflatables in the "Desert Jews" show at ITG
  • Pink Baby Monster's origin on 9/9/01, starting as a song and growing into a group after 9/11
  • Making a hip-hop record w/Brian McWhorter
  • Pink Baby Monster being covered in the Daily News
  • How he got banned from ITG
  • What a Conductor Can’t Say
  • Snobbery in jazz music
  • Training young musicians
  • Project-based training with a deadline
  • What he would do if starting out today
  • Collaboration wish list (David Lynch)
  • Harry Watters
  • PBM, “Conducting the National Brass Ensemble Album” video
  • Masterclasses
  • Heavy valve caps make all the difference
  • Q: How high can you play? A: Exactly
  • Playing with Jim Pandolfi in The Met

LINKS:

 

Mark's new book, Orchestra Confidential

Pink Baby Monster YouTube channel

Juilliard bio

Mannes bio

Harry Watters TBJ episode

Ken Watters TBJ episode

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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  • 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.

Apr 17, 2018

TBJ83: Trombonist Donna Parkes of the Louisville Orchestra on having a “Yes!” attitude, sleeping bags and growing up in Australia

Donna Parkes, Principal Trombone with Louisville Orchestra joins Andrew & Lance to detail her amazing career, from Australia to Kentucky, with stops in Chicago, Alaska and Doha, Qatar.

In this fun and lively conversation, we cover:

  • Playing Principal Trombone with Louisville Orchestra
  • Playing with the Colorado Music Festival
  • Coming from Indiana, I mean Canberra, Australia
  • Coming to the U.S. after her undergrad to study with Charlie Vernon at DePaul
  • The differences between the Australian and U.S. markets
  • Studying with Michael Mulcahy early on in Australia
  • Playing freelance gigs in Sydney for a year before moving
  • Getting a lesson with Arnold Jacobs and Ed Kleinhammer
  • Working with 80-year-olds in Virginia
  • The size of Andrew’s tongue (don’t ask)
  • Sleeping in her sleeping bag with her trombone in a hostel on her first night in the U.S.
  • Taking pictures of snow
  • Tips for flying to Australia
  • Playing gigs in Sitka, Alaska twice a year
  • How she recently got married in Australia
  • A typical week in Louisville, which is anything but typical
  • The importance of being flexible and being a good colleague
  • Having a “Yes” attitude
  • Playing in Doha, Qatar
  • An important life lesson, “Don’t smell it first.”

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.

Apr 3, 2018

TBJ82: Geoffrey Pilkington, Principal Horn for the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra on yoga, humility and the Long Call

Geoffrey Pilkington, Principal Horn for the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra joins Andrew & Lance to talk about working with Don Greene, dealing with the effects of a pinched nerve and gives us a great behind-the-scenes look at what goes into preparing for and playing the Ring Cycle.

In this fun and lively conversation, we cover:

  • His main gigs (Principal horn for National Opera in DC, and Assistant Principal in Harrisburg PA Symphony)
  • Studying at Juilliard
  • How his practice habits have changed
  • Super final round (1st time) was Geoff and Phil Munds, Maestro, “Neither were the next Dale Clevenger”
  • Super final round (2nd time) with WeiPing Chou, Maestro, “Don’t miss any notes”
  • Working with Don Greene on audition prep
  • His parents were amateur musicians and his Dad's request to a 5th grade Geoff, “Pick anything you want except saxophone or French horn”
  • How to explain why the horn is difficult to people who know nothing about music
  • How to explain why the horn is difficult to people who DO know about music
  • The importance of humility for a horn player
  • Playing the Ring Cycle, especially the Sigfried Long Call
  • Playing with a pinched nerve in his neck and shoulder
  • Adversity training with Don Greene, some dude doing “The Worm”
  • Using swimming as a way to warm up and prepare physically and mentally
  • Using Bikram Yoga and meditation to prepare for The Ring
  • The importance of visualization in audition or performance preparation
  • Why focus is like a muscle, you can work on developing it

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.

Mar 20, 2018

TBJ81: Matthew Murchison, Sexiest Euphonium Player in West Virginia on playing, writing and charting your own course in music

Composer, tuba and euphonium soloist and all-around fellow knucklehead Matthew Murchison joins Andrew & Lance to discuss his bands Mainspring and the Matthew Murchison Mutiny, studies with Brian Bowman and being yourself as an artist.

In this fun and lively conversation, we cover:

  • Being the Sexiest Euphonium Player in West Virginia
  • That he is, in fact, a Doctor
  • Teaching at Marshall University
  • Former Solo Euphonium with River City Brass
  • Workin’ on (p)stuff
  • Breaking a spring
  • His method book for teaching euphonium players to play tuba
  • Studies with Brian Bowman in undergrad
  • His band Mainspring: (flute, euphonium and rhythm section)
  • Composing and arranging
  • No preconceived notion of what euphonium music should be to regular audiences which is a huge opportunity
  • Expanding his writing to include electronics
  • Chewy
  • Being yourself as an artist
  • Who is doing interesting stuff right now (Demondrae Thurmon, Ben Pierce, Fernando Deddos)
  • Whether competitions help or hurt young players
  • Asking for feedback after competitions

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.

Mar 7, 2018

TBJ80: Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Horn Jennifer Montone on playing, meditating and telling your own story

Jennifer Montone has played with the Philadelphia Orchestra for 11 years. Prior to that, she spent time in the Dallas, St. Louis and New Jersey Symphonies and teaches at both Curtis and Juilliard.

In this fun and lively conversation, we cover:

  • Playing at Tanglewood as a student in the Empire Brass Seminar
  • Lance playing w/Jennifer in Philly (it had such a lasting impact on her)
  • Dealing with pressure
  • Meditation and yoga, the influence of “Soprano on Her Head,” the work of Noa Kageyama and Don Greene
  • Concentrating energy from your Chi
  • Headspace app, Hittleman yoga book, Mt. Fuji meditation, Jack Kornfield, Kripalu website, lava lamp meditation
  • Self-talk/affirmations
  • Playing while 7 1/2 months pregnant
  • Re-evaluating her breath work, via Arnold Jacobs’ concepts and teachings
  • The effect of posture on her approach
  • Taking a positive approach to challenges in music and in life (and passing those concepts on to her students)
  • Giving students permission to make musical decisions, then encouraging them to do so
  • Being a female principal horn player, how things are changing and evolving
  • How she wanted to be a nun up to the age of 14
  • Developing leadership skills, being assertive and confident
  • National Brass Ensemble

LINKS:

Don't miss the South Central Regional Tuba-Euphonium Conference featuring SSG Chris Buckley, Tim Buzbee, Ben Pierce and Charles Villarubia March 15-17 at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, TX. Holy crap that's a lineup! Visit www.scrtec2018.weebly.com for more details!

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.

Feb 20, 2018

TBJ79: Euphonium Ambassador Adam Frey on what it is like to be the Ambassador of Euphonium. Like that is a thing.

Adam Frey has had a great career as a soloist, publisher, teacher and major proponent of the euphonium and has endured Lance's hump-busting for over twenty years.

He is also the mastermind behind both the fantastic International Euphonium-Tuba (IET) Festival and euphonium.com. He currently teaches at the University of North Georgia.

In this fun and lively conversation, we cover:

  • Euphonium jokes
  • How Adam and Lance met in the Brass Band of Battle Creek
  • Tales of the Badger (dearly departed mega friend, Chris Matten)
  • Meeting James Gourlay
  • Teaching at the University of North Georgia
  • Playing in Macau
  • IET Festival, 15th anniversary in the summer of 2018
  • How he started the festival and how it is organized
  • The importance of good coffee when running a festival
  • Being an ambassador of the euphonium and the Ambassador of Euphonium
  • Fernando Deddos, David Childs, and other influential current players
  • Creating opportunities and the importance of collaboration
  • Working with Patricio Cosentino, Scott Hartman, and Jeff Nelsen
  • Having good ideas vs. having good ideas and acting on them
  • Starting and running euphonium.com

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

Feb 6, 2018

TBJ78: Chip Crotts on playing trumpet with Ray Charles, prosthetic robot arms for musicians and his comeback from Bells Palsy

Chip Crotts has played trumpet with an incredible array of stars, from Natalie Cole to Maynard Ferguson and has been involved with building an innovative program from the ground up at Georgia Tech.

In this episode, we cover:

  • The integration of music and technology at Georgia Tech
  • Building the undergraduate degree from the ground up
  • The development of a prosthetic robotic hand and arm to allow folks to play piano of drums
  • Playing with Ray Charles and Maynard Ferguson (and an amazing array of other artists)
  • “You never know when your shot’s gonna come, so you have to be ready”
  • Natalie Cole, the Tuscaloosa Horns (T-Horns)
  • Lance’s water pipes freezing and bursting mid-show, FUN!
  • Working with Santa Clara Vanguard
  • Dealing with Bells Palsy which paralyzed the left side of his face, and his documentation of the recovery process on video at his Facebook page

LINKS:

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.

Jan 23, 2018

TBJ77: Tubist Deanna Swoboda on her gig at ASU, Brass Rap and the difference between entertainment and art

Deanna Swoboda has been a longtime friend and colleague to both Andrew & Lance and has had a great career as a performer, teacher and leader from her days with Dallas Brass to her current gig at Arizona State University.

In this episode, we cover:

  • The value of studying music at the college level
  • Her gig at ASU
  • Her five years with the Dallas Brass
  • The difference in approach between playing in the Dallas Brass and the Western Michigan University brass quintet
  • Working with trumpeter Scott Thornburg
  • The difference between entertainment and art
  • Dan Perantoni “When the phone rings, are you ready?”
  • Deanna’s Wonderland
  • Brass Rap
  • Band Blastoff!
  • Tuba Tex How the West Was Fun (a project Lance participated in and forgot for 15 years. He's old.)
  • Eastman tubas
  • Eastman Company Tuba Euphonium Workshop in the summer of 2018

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.

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