JD Shaw & David Cutler join Andrew & Lance in a slightly chaotic exploration of the group Cones and Tones. Both on faculty at the University of South Carolina, JD and David also make up (along with Andrew & Lance) a new group called Cones and Tones. The group has had a couple performances and is heading into the recording studio in late Spring of 2017 to record an album which will attempt to cover the multiple styles and diverse personalities these four knuckleheads bring to the table. JD (making his third appearance on TBJ) tells how the group got started and talks about programming a “musical variety show.”
David (author of the great books The Savvy Musician and The Savvy Music Teacher) also takes some time to talk about The Savvy Arts Venture Challenge, the world's leading experiential entrepreneurship workshop for musicians, performing artists and educators (formerly known as The SAVVY Musician in Action).
Additionally, we spend more than a few minutes busting each other's chops.
Links:
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Produced by Joey Santillo
Trombonist Billy Bargetzi joins Andrew & Lance in an interview that is both entertaining and powerful. Billy is a journeyman who has played with an incredible array of some of the most amazing players of our time. Additionally, he teachers at the University of Alabama- Hunstsville, which is celebrating 50 years of existence. Both his parents were avid opera singers and his dad was also a big band singer, which informed Billy’s interest in music that crosses genres and styles.
He went to school with prior TBJ guest Harry Watters and his brother (and future TBJ) Ken, performed with Dick Nailer and discusses the importance of attitude.
Speaking of which, Billy talks at length about his six-month bout with Bell’s Palsey. Why he persevered, how he came back and how this attitude made all the difference.
Links:
University of Alabama at Huntsville 50th Anniversary Celebration
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Produced by Joey Santillo
David Childs, phenomenal euphonium soloist, recording artist, teacher, publisher and magazine editor joins Andrew & Lance to talk about his career up to this point and where he’s headed.
We talk to David about studying with his father (Robert Childs who along with Nicholas, made up the groundbreaking Childs Brothers euphonium duet), inspiring younger players and his explorations into electro-acoustic music, specifically his experiments with adding sensors to his horn. Additionally, we share our admiration for Demondrae Thurman (he's dreamy), portfolio careers and Richard Strauss.
Finally, David is a regular part of the North American Brass Band Summer School in Nova Scotia each summer, is a Manchester United fan and has inspired Lance to start using the term “X, Y, Zed” more frequently. Although for no clear reason.
Links:
Personal site, davechilds.com
North American Brass Band Summer School, nabbss.com
Prima Vista Musikk, primavistamusikk.com
Brass Band World Magazine, brassbandworld.co.uk
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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
Alex Lapins, Assistant Professor of Tuba/Euphonium at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Tony Tortora, a senior music education major and virtuosic vuvuzela-ist from Alex’ studio, join Andrew & Lance to discuss what happened and why.
The email subject heading was “Challenge Accepted” and referred to the offhanded comment made in the TBJ Joy Tartell interview. Blind auditions and vuvuzelas were mentioned. There may or may not be video. Which looks like this:
Additionally, based on a request from one of our great Patreon Patrons, Russell Etters, we unpack the ins and outs of preparing for a college audition. Thanks Russell!
Links:
Alex's Miraphone page
Alex's UTK bio page
UTK Tuba studio page
Tony's YouTube channel
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You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/
Produced by Joey Santillo
Mark Jenkins, Principal Euphonium and Section Leader in “The President’s Own" United States Marine Band, in Washington D.C. joins Andrew & Lance in a fun conversation about euphoniums in the wild.
We cover stylistic playing, the importance of sight-reading, his euphonium band excerpts compact disc (that is still a thing), and some guy named "Pineapple Paul."
And he talks about his upcoming memoir, "Universal Judgement” (not a real thing).
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/
Produced by Joey Santillo
Wes Funderburk and Tom Gibson join Andrew & Lance for one of the most chaotic and accidentally informative episode yet. We and Tom both live in Atlanta and write, gig, teach and conduct there (both play/conduct/arrange for the Atlanta Pops, the Joe Grandson Big Band and teach at Kennesaw State University. Additionally, Wes teaches at Georgia State and Tom teaches at the University of West Georgia). They each have also launched successful online projects (one of which involved a banana and a net pot) and happen to be two of the funniest people on the earth.
Tom unpacks his tone color, time and note shape approach to teaching and Wes recalls the time he borrowed a burger from Hardee’s.
Warning: It’s a little chaotic at the beginning of the episode. Hang in there. It’s worth it.
Links:
Tom's West Georgia University bio page
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You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/
Produced by Joey Santillo
Phil Snedecor, Associate Professor of Trumpet at the Hartt School and co-founder and conductor of the Washington Symphonic Brass joins Andrew & Lance in a nearly step-by-step examination of how to succeed in music. Phil has extensive experience as a player, arranger, conductor, teacher, composer and booker and explains the importance of putting in an honest to goodness eight hour day. He explains how to break into a new market, how to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem and the importance of believing in your product.
One of his key pieces of advice to younger players is for them to think in terms of developing a brand devoted to long term income generation. Easier said than done and Phil shows players the way.
And we still find time to make fun of trumpet players.
Links:
Lessons From a Streetwise Professor
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Produced by Joey Santillo
Jeffrey Scott, composer and horn player with Imani Winds, joins Andrew & Lance to discuss how he and the group got started.
Imani Winds has charted new ground in the medium for 19 years and Jeff explains how they found their mission. Jeff covers his development as a composer, the need for entrepreneurial skills, how they set up residencies, marketing and what it was like to replace a long-standing group member.
We also relive the fun we had back in the day when Boston Brass and Imani Winds joined forces onstage in an evening of music by Miles Davis. Oh, and Jeff thought Jens was a trombone player. You can’t make this stuff up.
Links:
http://www.imaniwinds.com/
http://www.musicbyjeffscott.com/
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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
Joey Tartell, Associate Professor of Trumpet and Director of Undergraduate Studies at Indiana University joins Andrew & Lance to explain how he can be both a lead trumpet player and a decent person.
Joey details the keys to his success including the insights he gained from his former teachers, explains the good news/bad news about the advent of YouTube and how he equips his students to succeed in music.
Along the way there is also mention of Mexican food, vuvuzelas, the San Antonio Spurs and the story of how Joey almost got thrown out of a women’s basketball game.
Links:
joeytartell.com
Joey at IU
Raya Brass Band
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Produced by Joey Santillo
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:
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 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:
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 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.