Bruce Broughton, multi-award-winning composer of countless television and movie scores somehow got tricked into talking with Andrew & Lance about his amazing career.
Bruce’s music has been nominated for 24 Emmy’s, he has won 10 (!!!) of them and was nominated for both an Oscar and a Grammy. Take that!
From an early musical start at Salvation Army Band Camp and composer (at 5 years old) of “Go Up Jesus, Come Down Baby”, to his 10 years at CBS and his overwhelmingly successful career in Hollywood, Bruce explains the ins and outs of his craft.
We hear how his friendship and collaboration with tuba legend Tommy Johnson led to the creation of his Tuba Concerto and we uncover some of the brass pieces he has written that he wishes were played more often.
It was difficult for Andrew & Lance to maintain whatever was left of their cool while talking with this incredibly talented, successful and generous guy.
Links:
http://www.brucebroughton.com/biography/
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You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Produced by Joey Santillo
Kristy Morrell, Chair of the Department of Winds and Percussion at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, and the principal French Horn instructor at the Colburn School of Performing Arts, joins Andrew & Lance against her better judgment.
In an in-depth discussion, we learn how her performance of “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head” as a child impacted her career (Spoiler Alert: It didn’t). However, we do get to hear some amazing stories about playing on hundreds of movie soundtracks, how she defines success and how situational awareness is one of the best skills you can possess as a musician (Spoiler Alert: AND as a human).
Kristy also talks about her great book, “Musician, Heal Thyself."
Links:
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You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Produced by Joey Santillo
Dennis Askew, Director of the School of Music at UNC Greensboro, joins Andrew & Lance to explain how a lowly tuba player gets a gig like that. Dennis has been teaching at the college level for over 25 years and we explore how he went from a newbie faculty member (he was young and cheap) to a newly minted Director (he worked to become organized, consistent and trustworthy, no mean task for a tuba player.)
When asked how he prepared for the interview, Dennis reported to listening to roughly ten hours-worth of shows. When asked what he thought of them, he reported, “There were none that I hated.” What an endorsement.
Links:
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You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Produced by Joey Santillo
Leonhard Paul of Mnozil Brass joins Andrew & Lance for a spectacular conversation about the phenomenon that is Mnozil Brass.
Over the last 24 years, Mnozil Brass has charted a path that is completely unique and continues to amaze audiences all over the globe. Leonhard explains how they plan and develop their shows, pieces and stage settings. He goes on to talk about the development of the YouTube sensation Lonely Boy.
From learning how to work a crowd to the subject of "lip disability", this conversation was both fun and illuminating.
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Produced by Austin Boyer of FredBrass
Andrew & Lance have a new episode format in this installment. They tell some of their favorite Boston Brass stories including their first gigs, the time Lance almost died in Austria, and how Andrew once had to have his tuba repaired in three separate continents all within the same month.
Let us know if you would like this new format and if you would like to hear more stories. We will always continue to bring you interviews with the best of the best but are looking for ways to occasionally branch out.
Your feedback is always appreciated!
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Produced by Austin Boyer of FredBrass
Composer, conductor and recovering trumpet player Brian Balmages sits down with Andrew and Lance despite his better judgment.
Bran started on the piano, goes on to explain how he writes and orchestrates his pieces and talks about the disconnect which sometimes occurs between what he thinks will be popular and what ends up being so.
He talks about why he likes working with groups and we learned that he has no ability to make International Date Line jokes.
Links:
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Produced by Austin Boyer of FredBrass
Two of the members of C Street Brass/Beauty Slap, Hakeem Bilal and Gabriel Colby, sit down with Andrew & Lance in a fun conversation about these cool new interconnected groups.
C Street and Beauty Slap are a sort of Jekyll and Hyde hybrid with C Street functioning as a brass quintet and Beauty Slap a brass quartet plus DJ, giving them the opportunity to play to a wide set of audiences.
Most recently they shared the stage with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and we have fun exploring where these guys are going.
Links:
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Produced by Austin Boyer of FredBrass
World-renowned tuba player Patrick Sheridan sits down with Andrew & Lance and the three of them foolishly try to have a normal conversation.
From his early start as the renowned soloist on "Hey Mr. Banjo" in elementary school, to his time in The President's Own Marine Band and his MBA from the University of Michigan, Pat details his journey.
He is currently the conductor of Salt River Brass in Arizona and is one of the founders of the Band Director Academy in Oregon. Oh, and he and Lance may have kissed once. Or twice.
Links:
Focus On Music
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/
Produced by Austin Boyer of FredBrass
Trombonist and probable alien Harry Watters sits down with Andrew & Lance and hilarity ensues.
Harry has had an amazing career, including a four year stint with the Dukes of Dixieland before detours to Las Vegas and his current position in Pershing's Own Army Band. Harry has played with just about everybody on the planet and give us some tips on learning improvisation.
He may or may not also have been present at a casino during a takeover by the Feds.
Links:
Harry's Latest Recording: The Great American Songbook featuring the Salt River Brass
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Produced by Austin Boyer of FredBrass
Tage Larsen, 4th/utility trumpet with The Chicago Symphony sits down with Andrew & Lance for a fascinating look at his highly successful (and highly diverse) career.
Tage spent time in The Marine Band, Dallas Brass and the St. Louis Symphony before his current position and he explores what he likes about playing 4th/utility. We also get into the role of classical music in society and the notion that we should have sincerity in all that we do. Shockingly, he only uses one mouthpiece. That's what he said anyway.
Links:
Tage's DePaul School of Music Page
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Produced by Austin Boyer of FredBrass
Mike Colburn, former Commander and Conductor of The President's Own Marine Band in Washington, D.C., speaks with Andrew and Lance about his impressive career.
Colonel Colburn (or "kernel" as Lance like to call him) recently retired from a long and distinguished career, which began as a euphoniumist (probably a word.) He is now the Director of Bands at Butler University and believes in living a forward-focused life.
Oh, and he suffered a severe wally-ball injury and has a thing for ficus trees.
Links:
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Produced by Austin Boyer of FredBrass
Multi-talented Brazilian Fernando Deddos joins Andrew & Lance to discuss how he manages to be annoyingly successful as a euphonium player, composer, pianist and (soon to be) college professor. Fernando explains how his dream to become the first person in Brazil with a doctorate in euphonium is about to come true and shares his hopes for fostering future generations of musicians in his home country.
He also talks about a variety of Brazilian styles, the vital role the euphonium and ophicleide plays in them, and gives us a primer on Brazilian barbecue. Please pass the salt!
Links:
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Produced by Austin Boyer and Buddy Deshler of FredBrass.
Dan Gosling, creator of ChopSaver, joins Andrew & Lance to discuss how he created ChopSaver and brought it to market. From experimenting in his kitchen to arriving on the shelves of 7,000 CVS stores, Dan shares his fascinating story.
He also talks about how to break into a freelance playing market, the importance of being a nice person and why ChopSaver was almost caller Pucker Upper.
Website:
Links:
#savemychops
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Produced by Austin Boyer and Buddy Deshler of FredBrass.
Dave Zerkel, Professor of Tuba/Euphonium at the University of Georgia joins Andrew & Lance to discuss how he nearly became a meteorologist snake doctor. He recounts the path of his career, from standing very still in the Army Band, to teaching at Illinois State (after the retirement of his teacher, Ed Livingston) and on to his current position at the University of Georgia.
He also talks about how the industry has changed in the last twenty years, how he helps guide his students to success and talks about what its like to play with the Brass Band of Battle Creek.
Links:
David Zerkel at UGA
Tuba/Euph at UGA
Brass Band of Battle Creek
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Produced by Austin Boyer and Buddy Deshler of FredBrass
John Rojak of the American Brass Quintet joins Andrew & Lance to discuss portfolio careers and chamber music. John also discusses how the American Brass Quintet finds and commissions new pieces.
He also talks about how he got started and why he sometimes has to explain ledger lines to composers.
Website:
Links:
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Produced by Austin Boyer and Buddy Deshler of FredBrass.
Magically Fearless (Fearlessly Magical?) Jeff Nelsen joins Andrew & Lance to discuss his diverse and fascinating career. Jeff explains how he got started and progressed from orchestra playing to a stint with Canadian Brass and on to his current role teaching horn at Indiana University.
He also talks about his newest project "Fearless Performance," his TEDx talks (and hosting) and how studying magic compares to studying music. We also get to hear about his Rainbow Wand.
Website:
Links:
Brendon Burchard YouTube Channel
Books Referenced:
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
The Motivation Manifesto by Brendon Burchard
The Little Book of Talent by Daniel Coyle
The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Produced by Austin Boyer and Buddy Deshler of FredBrass.
Jeff Conner of Boston Brass joins Andrew & Lance to discuss how Boston Brass got started. Jeff also explains what it takes to run a full-time touring group and how things have (and haven't) changed over the last 30 years.
He also talks about how much he misses having Andrew and Lance in the group and details his adventurous eating habits. Chicken feet, anyone? Oh, and pickle neck tattoos.
Links:
Boston Brass
The Portfolio Musician
The Savvy Music Teacher
Jeff Conner Eating A Chicken Foot
Boston Brass - Rewired
Jeff Conner: Episode 7 of The Entrepreneurial Musician
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Produced by Austin Boyer and Buddy Deshler of FredBrass
Fred Powell of Powell Trumpets joins Andrew & Lance to discuss trumpet design and brass repair. Fred also discusses the many times he has shared the stage with Andrew and Lance with Boston Brass and his freelance career.
He also talks about how he got started in the repair business and his vast knowledge of barbecue.
Website:
Links:
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Produced by Austin Boyer and Buddy Deshler of FredBrass.
Andrew & Lance are joined by tuba player, pianist, and arranger for Presidio Brass, Scott Sutherland. Scott talks about life on the road with a full-time touring brass quintet and how the group got its start.
He also talks about the benefits of having multi-instrumentalists in a chamber group and about what goes into planning a show for a group like Presidio Brass.
Website:
Links:
Presidio Brass Facebook Fan Page
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Produced by Austin Boyer and Buddy Deshler of FredBrass.
Andrew & Lance are joined by Mary Bowden, an international trumpet soloist and founding member of the Seraph Brass. She discusses her travels around the world, a transformational experience she had with our good friend Jens Lindemann that inspired her to take her career to the next level, and her new brass quintet, Seraph Brass.
She also talks about how she has gone about creating her personal brand through highly produced videos, professional photo shoots, and a great website.
Links:
Mary Bowden
Seraph Brass
Mary's YouTube Channel
Mary's Facebook Fan Page
To Sell Is Human by Daniel H. Pink
Want to help the show? Take a minute to leave us a rating and a review on iTunes.
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Produced by Austin Boyer and Buddy Deshler of FredBrass
Phil Munds currently holds the position as Principal Horn for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Prior to that, he served as a member of The United States Air Force Band with the one and only, Lance LaDuke!
Phil shares how he went from playing in the Air Force to rising through the ranks in the BSO horn section. He also discusses the day-to-day preparations for his job and having a long sustaining career as a professional musician.
You won't want to miss the incredible stories shared between Lance and Phil as they relive their time in the military!
You can find Phil on Facebook as well as through the BSO website.
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Andrew & Lance talk shop with Jamie Lipton, Euphonium Artist and Professor of Low Brass at Henderson State University.
Jamie discusses her musical upbringing and how that led her to attending Northwestern and North Texas to study with Rex Martin and Brian Bowman. She tells us the reasons for her career decisions and the direction she would love to see Euphonium go in.
When she’s not winning international competitions, teaching her students, playing/conducting in brass bands and preforming in various chamber groups, she’ll be watching her favorite sport, soccer.
On top of all that, she has some good tips for our friend Jens!
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/
Andrew & Lance are joined by Jim Nova, trombone player for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Jim talks about how his successful audition for the Pittsburgh Symphony was the 39th of his career! He also shares a very moving story about the loss of his mother and the trombone that she saved up money to buy for him before she passed away.
He tells some really great stories about his father, a professional accordion player turned pizza parlor owner turned composer. Jim's story of the time his father hired an orchestra in Bulgaria to record some compositions he had written for him is one for the ages!
Finally, he talks about a side project he's been doing that recently got the attention of none other than John Williams himself.
https://soundcloud.com/jimnova
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Andrew & Lance are joined by Marty Hackleman, former horn player for the Canadian Brass, Empire Brass, and National Symphony Orchestra.
Marty talks about the many stops along his incredible career, including winning his first professional audition at the age of 19. He also shares with us the decision he made as a 16-year-old that got him to apply himself and propelled him to success on the horn.
He is the only person who was ever a full-time member of both the Canadian Brass and Empire Brass and discusses how it came to be that he and Dave Ohanian came to switch quintets.
And he has some tough love for Jens!
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Andrew & Lance are joined by Joe Alessi, Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic, from Vail, Colorado where the orchestra was on tour.
Joe talks about his career as a teacher, soloist, and orchestral musician, including stops with the Philadelphia Orchestra and New York Philharmonic. He also touches on the the influence his parents, both professional musicians, had on him and which musicians inspire him to continue to improve.
He also has the best advice for Jens that we've heard to date!
http://www.slidearea.com/home.html
You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies. Your support is greatly appreciated!