2011 in Review

2011 was an adventerous year from January 1st till now, and as always, I do these by year

January
Beginning

• I began the year in a motel room in Council Bluffs, IA (border of Omaha, NE) on my DMA trip no 1. I knew this would be the year the biggest decision of my life would be made...where I would spend the next 3 years.
• Stayed the next night in Wyoming, -20 degree temperatures in Laramie, WY....brrrrrrr
• I had successful auditions at University of Utah (added Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Utah to states visited)
• Car broke down on the way to Arizona (glad I avoided Tuba City, AZ) with radiator problems in Las Vegas, NV (added Nevada to states visited)
• Went to my first casino and did a little gambling...while my car had to be fitted with a new radiator
• Successful audition at University of Arizona
• Drove from Tuscon, AZ to Oxford Ohio and began my final first week of the semester for my MM degree.
• Had the first week syndrome of 8am ear training, and enjoyed my first weekend with nothing till March

Middle/End

• Got sick driving to Iowa (stomach), but still a very good audition, and also a good audition at University of Illinois.
• Good audition at Michigan State

February

• Successful auditions at Eastman School of Music, Ohio State, and UNCG (added North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia to states visited)
• Got back in the dating scene
• A random week and a half of spring-like temperatures
• Matt Gray visited from Arkansas, and had orchestra concert that weekend...first weekend without an audition
• Final audition of the tour, FSU, and ended up being a great audition and hanging with the MacDonalds in Tallahassee, while Ohio was still cold

March

• It was cold all month, lots of snow and rain
• Spring break in Chattanooga, TN at the SERTEC tuba conference....solo on Don Giovanni's Hollenfahrt
• Had first meltdown about recital scheduling, and the 2nd mental meltdown of my MM degree
• Bydlo Bydlo Pictures at an Exhibition, Bydlo
• Acceptance letters roll in for DMA schools

April

• No joke, it RAINED 29 of the 30 days in this month. What a great way to end up my time in Oxford.
• A successful recital (after already playing 6 hours earlier that day)
• All that stood in my way from graduation was a solo repertoire project
• Sadly started to say goodbye to many friends
• Decided on a DMA school....a VERY tough decision due to the quality programs and teachers, but chose Ohio State as it felt right.
• Bought an iPhone :)

May

• It rained a lot
• Graduation...though my name wasn't in the program
• Apartment hunting was a success, after many headaches
• Had first lesson with my new professor and met the studio
• Solo Literature project....
• Moved from Tuba Manor to Cody Grabbe/Dave Kamran's place for the summer...one 3rd story apartment to another
• More Solo Literature project....
• Some major heartbreak...recovered to

June

• More rain....rain rain rain
• Got invited to do the Atlantic Brass Quintet seminar in Sonoma, CA....the tubamobile (92 camry then with 225000 miles) and a cross country trip
• Saw Ray Jacinto in Reno, NV
• Had fun in Sonoma, met some good friends and colleagues....went to a winery (Cline Cellars)
• Drove from California back to Ohio...
• Saw Evan Woods and Billy Prude in Ohio...good ACU friends in my state!
• Solo Literature project...no practice
• Repeat entry above a million times

July

• Went to Hamilton 4th of July event
• Finished the draft of my MM project on tuba solo repertoire....110 pages single spaced
• 1.5 weeks to prepare for orals...
• 3.5 days before oral exams, get last topic...talk about major stress and freaking out
• Oral exams....da da dummmmmm
• Passed oral exams, thus officially was a Master of Music!
• Pub-crawl in Oxford with Alan Wiseman...that is all that is in that town is bars...
• Moved to Columbus, OH
• Hung out and met new Columbus/OSU friends...surprised how many were from Texas
• Practice
• Rode public transit for the first time...and decided to make this my transportation method here
• Still rained

August

• Saw all my other friends start school while I still had another month of summer
• Kind of missed paychecks
• Rain rain rain
• probably ate too much with all the good food here

September

• Rain....
• Played/placed on sublist with Newark-Granville Symphony
• I really don't remember much besides practice and boredom
• My pre-birthday present...getting a couple shots too many
• Birthday present--a cute girl named Jillian and I met
• School started...still didn't get paid till October 31
• Learned how to manage money and be very cheap
• Oh and that graduate school orientation....that was valuable practice time

October

• NEW F TUBA!!!! Gronitz PF 125 and it is amazing (Okay it was Sept 30...)
• LOTS of car problems
• Enjoying playing great repertoire in ensembles, and teaching music majors...which is essentially what I want to do for a living!
• Was sick most of the month
• It rained a great deal of the month, and got cold....
• Played Shostakovich Symphony 5 with Lima Symphony
• First successful all-nighter and hell week with 2 concerts

November

• Me and Jillian become official :)
• Heard Cincinnati Symphony play Rite of Spring...2nd tubist was amazing!
• Played Death and Transfiguration with Lima Symphony (and Church gig)
• Lots of practice
• Thanksgiving with Jillian
• More rain

December

• Tchaikovsky Symphony No 6 with OSU
• Juries...and sitting on the jury panel as well
• 5 concerts in 1 week....yuck
• Charlotte Symphony Orchestra audition is given to me...time to get into shape...then got sick
• Christmas with Jillian 
• Rain and no snow

A New Start to a New Academic Year--Personal Goals

Well, tomorrow begins a new academic year at my new school, The Ohio State University. For me, school has kind of started as I have had a couple of lessons, a week of meetings and such, and know several of the TAs. I got my lockers in Hughes Hall for my tubas yesterday, and am waiting till I can store them away elsewhere. Working on getting a new F tuba that suits me, which means probably waiting through a long line at the Student Academic Services building to see if I can request $3000 extra in loans for the quarter and end it at that.
I am just guessing it will be a headache and I will walk away needing a letter and all that stuff. Had a birthday this weekend, and it was great besides going a little over the edge Friday night with friends. So, I figure it will take a couple weeks to get into the swing of things. Auditions are Thursday for me, and things begin next week. Quarters are weird because you start very late and only have 10 week periods instead of 15-16, but this is the last year any Ohio school can be on quarters. The first big goal I want to try to follow is David Zerkel's 10 points, which I will list at the bottom. These are great playing and musical goals, and I will try my best to follow them (especially listening to music for other instruments). My academic classes seem light this quarter, which will give me a lot of time in the practice room.

-------------------------Personal Goals-------------------------------


Better Financial Health
I have too much in credit card debt and loans. One of the things I am going to do while I am in school is to pay off all credit card debts. I regret when I have to pay off loans, but I am hoping by using budget apps and debt payoff solutions and David Ramsey stuff I can manage this better and get out of credit card debt by time I am 28. This means I have to dip into my savings which I didn't want it to fall below the amount I have, but I won't pay rent on a credit card again and pay those off faster, then get back into financial shape. I should sell my F tuba by summer and live off that money for summer.

I have bought 2 budget apps for my iPhone. AceBudget and DebtPayoff. For $2.15, I can manage my debts and finances at my fingertips along with my bank app, and get in better financial health. I wish I could have done this at Miami, but never too late to get back into shape. I guess this means any gig money will go to credit cards.

Better Health
I should invest $30 in a digital scale, but I will wait for a few days. I don't intend on losing weight, but cooking more at home. This will help with financial health by not eating out or drinking much alcohol (I have money set aside for this though to have some good times with friends), as well as be healthier than eating out.

I am going to try to be using the rec center, even if it is 20 minutes a day and drink more water. This will help moving on the elliptical.

Also, drinking a max of 1 coke (pop/soda) a day, this will help out immensely. Nathan/Megan MacDonald have been a big inspiration in this. Nathan has lost over 100 pounds eating extremely healthy and exercising and if I can lose 40 pounds over 2 years it would be amazing.

Less Driving
As an OSU student, I pay $9 a quarter to use the COTA city buses. There is a stop right near my apartment and a stop right near Weigel Hall. It is inconvenient and I can't stay out late, but it is a great service, and I save $700 plus gas/wear and tear on the car over the year (I need to verify that they don't take the permit out even if you don't get one).

I have not filled up with gas since September 4th, and if I luck out, I can go a month on a tank besides gigs out of the area (but hey, then I am making money). So, I figure on a normal month with insurance I can get by with less than $150 with gigs, or $100 on car fees, including insurance. This year, it should save me $1000 by not driving to school.

More Personal Time


Watching TV on my computer, sleeping, waking up earlier. I am 25 now, and since I am riding the bus, I think riding the bus will prioritize my time and such at school (besides the current lunch issue the first couple of weeks).

I might add more on later


Zerkel's 10 Points (for those curious)



Here are my notes from a chat to the brass students at UGA on Day 1. A top ten
list of sorts... I hope they listened!
1. Take your classes seriously. Theory, Ear-training and Music History provide
you with the tools to understand the language of music and your mastery of
these subjects WILL help you play your instrument better. If you have had a
math course beyond algebra, music theory should present no problems, as it is
structured in a very systematic way. Ear-training will help you learn what you
need to hear, whether you are playing your instrument or standing in front of a
band. Music History will equip you with the tools to approach your
interpretations from informed perspective and will give you the insight needed
to play with style.
2. Listen to as much music as you can! Naxos online music library is a great
resource, as is our incredibly complete music library. A hard, but not
impossible, goal is to spend the same amount of hours listening that you spend
practicing. Listening to music and familiarizing yourself with a broad spectrum
of music is where your REAL musical education will take place.
3. Learn and know your scales and arpeggios, as they are the building blocks of
western music. Realizing that virtually everything that you play is constructed
with scales and arpeggios will make mastering your instrument exponentially
easier.
4. Schedule your practice time as though it were a class and make yourself a
tough attendance policy. Success in music, like anything else in life, is
dependent upon disciplined and persistent effort. Hard work will trump talent
any day of the week. The world is filled with incredibly talented people who
never reached their potential because they were lazy. It is the observation of the
brass faculty that the overall work ethic of the students in the school of music is
quite lax compared to other places that we have been. Each of you has the
power to reverse this condition that affects the culture of music here at UGA. It
is really cool to not suck… daily practice will help you to appreciate your
potential and your ability to improve.
5. Go to concerts! There is no substitution for listening to live music—every
performance you hear provides you with the opportunity to learn something
about your own performances. Whether you will teach or perform, you will
spend the rest of your life evaluating performances and diagnosing the
strengths and weaknesses of what you hear. You will develop this skill much
more quickly if you are going to concerts.
6. Embrace what technology has to offer us in developing as musicians. Rhythm
and Pitch are the two empirical truths in music--- either they are right or they
are wrong. Don’t look as your metronome and tuner as though they are nagging
you that you are not good enough—learn to make chamber music with your Dr.
Beat and to look at your tuner as the teller of truth. If you really want to use
technology to improve your performance skills, purchase a digital recorder such
as a Zoom 2 (or use Quicktime on your computer) to record your practice. This
will help you to become your own teacher. The greatest period of growth that I
have ever had as a developing musician happened when I was recording and
evaluating my practice on a daily basis.
7. Be curious! Strive to know the repertoire for your instrument. Practice
something everyday that is NOT part of your lesson assignment for the week.
Read ahead in an etude book or check out some music from the library. This will
help your sight-reading skills immeasurably. Strive to be a comprehensive
musician, not just a jock on your horn!
8. Play with your peers! Form a chamber music group or play duets with a peer
as much as you can. Chamber music empowers each of us to make musical
decisions without the input of a director, which is a critical skill. Playing
chamber music will also help grow your ears in a dramatic way.
9. Be serious about your pursuit of excellence. Set the bar high and work hard to
be the best that you can be. Music is an extraordinarily competitive field—
remember that there is always someone somewhere that is working harder than
you are and someday you will meet them at the audition or the interview. You
owe it to yourself to be the best musician that you can be. You will only be a
great band director if you are first a great musician.
10. Know that every great musician in the world still considers himself or herself
a student of music. Wynton Marsalis is a music student. Joe Alessi is a music
student, as is Gail Williams, Steven Mead and Oystein Baadsvik . Make lifelong
improvement and lifelong learning your goal. I am not as good as I think I am
and neither are you. The older I get, the more I realize that I have only begun to
scratch the surface of what there is to know. Use this blessing of an opportunity
that you have as a full-time music student to your advantage. Your hard work
will pay off in the end!

City Life in Columbus

I can finally say I am moved in, though I have a million papers to file. Car is the cleanest it has been in over a year, and just about everything is put away, all I need to do is hang a million dorky tuba posters. I didn't practice too well today, mainly due to my lips being swollen and hard and with a small rim mouthpiece, so I decided to only do one session on F tuba, but I have done other fun stuff to get settled in besides practicing.

I haven't really lived in a city since I was in high school, and then I lived in the suburbs, which have become ghetto, or so I am told from people who still live there. Yesterday, I took the No 18 bus as normal from my apartment to OSU, but this time I included my bike. Everyone told me I had to experience Short North (the Arts District), so I did. I had been there before for some Jenis ice cream, and have had it the last 2 days (best ice cream in the world). I also ate at a grill down there on the way back. I decided to be adventurous and bike downtown. I only made it to the arena district on my bike, but I saw some people that would have scared me 2 years ago. I decided to bike back towards Short North after some biking. I thought I was going a long distance, t but realized my bike is set to kilometers. My bike was never assembled right (loose handle bars) so I guess I need a new one. While in Short North, I saw a wreck happen because a guy was texting, and the driver he hit (and did no damage to) was all upset and yelling. Glad it wasn't me driving there.

So today, I decided to do the same thing. I decided to bike around the beautiful OSU campus, went by mirror lake, Ohio Stadium (which you can't see the field from outside), and other parts on campus, and then practiced (poorly) and then biked to Short North after a poor practice session. I forgot to mention earlier that it rained both days I brought my bike, and every time I tried to ride my bike in March or April, it would rain. I have a cursed bike apparently. Homeless people asked me for $20 on the way to Jenis and for the bike on the way back, I kept biking. Let me tell you, biking can make you sore if you haven't done it in a while.

I am starting to feel glad I got a studio apartment. My only complaints are that my couch wouldn't fit through the hallway door so we had to get rid of it and buy a futon, and that there are no bike racks anywhere. I will take pictures later of the apartment, but it seems to be doing its job. I just want a TV now, and my computer to finally be done in the shop...it has been sent to HP 2 times to be fixed. I really would like to start arranging music, listening to music, playing starcraft 2, watching movies, and such, since my acer has a linux based program installed that really sucks...

I am going to attach some pictures from my bike ride

View of Downtown from Short North

Lots to do in Short North

Convention Center

Mirror Lake!

Thompson Statue

Middle of the Oval

This building had a lot of numbers outside...maybe the math building?

Front of Ohio Stadium

Ohio Stadium Scoreboard, They make it so you can't see the field from outside

Growing up and being a master

Wow, it has been a while since I have updated the blog. I got done donating several old clothes and things I didn't need anymore, and might even donate some more clothes and stuff later this week, and shop for new "DMA" clothes. I feel I am a grown up now and am getting old, but I am losing some weight so that is always a good thing. I have always been a little bit of a hoarder, so it is time to get rid of things that won't contribute to memories.

I finished the project requirements for my MM (and still editing for small little errors after printing...), oral exams were tough but I did a good job and every member of the panel passed me. I was in Oxford last Tuesday helping Cody clean the apartment, found out I had a couple missing library books, but I submitted my project. DO NOT go to the Oxford Copy Shop near 45E. I made it simple, 2 copies of my project, double sided as asked on 24 pound paper, bounded and with a professional cover. I return 30 minutes later, expecting a bill of $30-35, as it is 14 cents per page double sided on the paper...111 pages single spaced so about 60 pages in each one...and get a bill of $60. I ran my card, and suddenly realized that wasn't right. They charged me for 3 bounded single sided, trying to rip me off. I got it fixed, but noticed 2 SMALL errors right after printing, which will be fixed later.

So, the night before the trip back to Oxford, my computer randomly shuts off, and was hard to start back up making a wheezing sound. Well I took it in to Miami Univ IT Services and they said it had a power failure, logistic core problems, and the harddrive was basically done, luckily it is under warranty, though will have to reinstall everything. They gave me a new power cord too!It was ironic my laptop went out the day I got internet at my place. However, no loaner laptop and I have to drive back next week and find 2 library books and meet up to get the piano scores. Anyways, I also have a gig playing Rhapsody in Blue!

So, I am in Columbus now, lying on my bed, and as I mentioned I donated stuff. I feel like I am growing up...I am going to change my looks, polo and blue jeans style, meaning I need to get rid of old clothes and buy new clothes, just debating which ones since I am a hoarder.

Anyways About Columbus......

IT IS AMAZING!

I am riding the bus now, since I got my buck ID (Losing a garage pass cost me $25...), and to park per year it is nearly $700. Some of the bus rides have been shadier than others, but it is free...and a bus stop right near my house and Weigel Hall....just not as convenient. I got a locker (string bass type) which "fits" both my tubas...though if my CC bell was a half inch wider it wouldn't fit...glad I don't have the Yamayork.

Right near OSU, there is a crapload of places to eat, and the nation's largest Buffalo Wild Wings. I will probably end up gaining 80 pounds this year from the good food nearby.

Until next time!

A Quick, beginning of Summer Update---and going on a trip!

It has been a while. I have moved into my summer apartment in Oxford, moved out of my old one, and basically been pushing ahead on this project. I am at 20 pages single spaced, and by the way it is looking, it will probably be 200 pages...what did I get myself into!

Since the end of school, I had a hard time getting over a couple personal things and was hurt, but I am an easier road, just lots of academic stress. I mean, I am starting to feel like many professional tubists, where practice time is valued due to being so busy with other required things. I haven't really been out to any bars or hanging out, a couple games of Star Craft after a long day, but I did see my first Red's game.

Anyways, I am sitting at an Arby's now, since there is free internet. Before helping my friend Mark with his brass choir he started up in El Dorado area, I noticed one of my tires was losing air...and had a screw in it. Anyways, took it to Wal Mart this morning (since the nearest Discount Tire was an hour and a half), and the "tech" said I had less than 2/32" on my tire at the edge, which has a little wear, but he didn't even measure from the right spot. They are repaving 27NB with asphalt, and of course with it being fresh asphalt and hot outside, I got some in my tire sipes, and the "tech" didn't even see that. Then, I noticed my left signal light was burnt out. This is the one I had to superglue in after my accident back in October. I am driving to California (read later on) and don't want to be pulled over there for things not working. I fixed the signal, got a hair cut, and tried to find a place to fix my tire.

Now, I go to Monroe brake and repair shop, and they quote me for $30, a service Discount Tire does FREE to EVERYONE if repairable! Anyways, I took my teacher's advice and tried the old BP station in town, and they charged the same rate, and couldn't work on my car till tomorrow morning. I took it back to Monroe to get an oil change 12000 miles overdue (okay...I add oil every month), and I get a 3 hour wait quote for that and the tire. So I walk to Arbys, maybe can get some work done on the project.

Now, why am I going to California? I got invited to go to the Atlantic Brass Seminar near San Francisco, CA! It was a last minute thing, and had to make a decision since this project is important. EVERYONE I have talked to about these music festivals has only had great things to say, that they are fun, but being around only top musicians who want to be there and great teachers is always a plus, so I decided to make the drive out. Plus, when your teacher recommends you to do something, especially when you get invited out, you do it!

I leave Friday morning, I might sleep in my car at night, do annotations on the drive while resting and sleeping, so I should probably get to eating and this project.

The Best of Times, the Worst of Times

The last few days have been very emotional for me. With all the commencement ceremonies and last times with my good friends over the last 2 years, I have cried a little. So many good times have now come to an end. I move most of my big stuff out of my apartment (nicknamed tuba manor) for my summer place at Cody/Dave's place, and it is just so sad that this is coming to an end.

I helped my neighbor Dorian move out most of his stuff on Sunday. Dorian was the trumpet GA the last two years, and has been a very great friend and mentor to me. He was the one who made me try my first beer the night before I turned 23, teaching me how to have a good time, making me hang out, and more importantly through this I began to relax. All the meetings in the neighboring apartment we had, all the knocks on my window to wake me up for 8am theory and 8am ear training, all the good times.

When we were moving the big stuff, like megabox and ultimate laundry out of his apartment, emotions just hit me. Friday (when he comes back) will be the last time I see him for a long while, and the same with my other friends. I am going to have grad friends here from everywhere from Boston to California to Florida to Nebraska and everywhere in between, and starting next year at The Ohio State University, I am going to have to try to make a new bunch of friends. I guess that will be hard, since I am not very good at meeting new people, and being a Doctorate student, that will even be harder. All I can do is be optimistic and hope for the best.

The Big Decision in Life!

I wanted to put this up a week ago, but got caught up in many personal things which have gotten me a little down and sad recently. With that being said, performed Pictures at an Exhibition last night...Bydlo was great minus one frack, and my main tuning slide fell out while playing on the Great Gate of Kiev (too much air I guess). Played the Lebedev Concert Allegro tonight, and it did NOT go as well as expected. I guess it went well because I got praise from non-brass music professors, but with my 2nd valve sticking on my CC and not really ready, I am just not happy with the performance.

So while sanding down my valve guide, I realized I have what is called performance frustration. I get knots in my throat, body gets tense, and I have to fight to have the big, dark tone I am known for. I guess the ONLY cure is to RELAX and RELAX IN LIFE. All my TMJ problems can probably be linked to stress and hard work...as a dentist said (thus the neck pains and such related are all due to stress). Relaxing is the ONE thing I need to work on, and as I start my DMA, my main goal is to RELAX, as that is the ONE thing keeping me from getting the job I need.

I need to get my CC tuba cleaned, flushed, valves aligned, new guides and springs, etc., but I just don't have $300 to do that. I will have to make do for now.

With that being said, I have decided on a DMA school. I am going to Ohio State University on the teaching associateship for tuba. I am excited about this, and am planning a visit Tuesday.

Post-Recital Thoughts

It has been a while since I have posted anything, mainly been busy preparing for the recital (including the hearing), grading concert reports, and gigs. I had some pretty nice gigs, including playing Liszt Les Preludes and Brahms Symphony No. 2 with the ONU Symphony Orchestra as a gig. I used CC on both pieces, and both, especially the Brahms appear on major audition lists. I also played an Palm Sunday Cantata on CC and a nice Easter gig on F tuba. Making over $700 in a month for playing is good, but very busy.

So last Monday I had my Master's recital. I was freaking out about it and the hearing, all the stress from last minute scheduling, finding a pianist, and learning the repertoire nearly sent me over the edge. On the night of the recital, I had a rehearsal with the Hamilton-Fairfield Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the parts they gave were string bass parts. I could have skipped this, but the young man who was playing tuba in there had auditioned here at Miami and it was a joint event. I played with the group on the string bass parts, told him the situation, and still played a long rehearsal. As a professional who gives recitals, sometimes it is good to give service.

I cut my bottom lip while shaving, then while transporting the cake to the green room, I got cake all over my suit. Luckily it didn't get on my shirt so I had to lose the jacket only. Nothing else could possibly go wrong!

I was extremely heavy on the Corelli Violin Sonata I transcribed on the hearing, but after listening to the recital, it sounded like a different player, much more style appropriate and lighter. I am happy with this one (and the whole recital)

I talked about the Penderecki and the "passion" behind the work. I spent a great deal talking about what music is (that it isn't always pretty, etc...might make a blog just on this), but I honestly don't remember playing it. I (of course) did not play it perfectly. I have not EVER heard this work played perfectly live, even by some highly respected professional tubists. However, I had command of my intrepretation. I guess the talk before allowed me to express some emotions I have about Eastern European music. I remember playing one point where I thought Souers Recital Hall was going to explode due to being extremely loud, and just let the music take control. I am very happy with this.

I had a very rough horn change going to CC on the Lebedev Concert Allegro, but it didn't sound as bad on the recording. It started too fast and I have to take what the accompaniment gives me.

The DeMars Tapestry III was a cool piece, turned off the lights, not perfect, but the parts I was worried about clarity actually sounded pretty clean on the recording...maybe I need to record more. The Ewazen went pretty well, had some intonation issues due to being tired, but as always with my playing, the energy (3rd movement especially) was ever present. I ended up by playing Dumitru Ionel's Rumanian Dance No. 2 memorized and standing, I sounded brighter from standing but it was energetic as well. Had some fun times at Steinkeller's German Restaurant afterwards, and was real enjoyable.

I listen to the recordings, and upon first listen, they sound great, then on the next few listens, they sound horrible, but then they sound good again. I guess I am critical on my playing more than any other person. I mean, I complained today for having too dark of a sound because it wasn't what I perfectly envisioned. I am an extreme perfectionist, and my ear grows fast...

But it doesn't matter what I think right? (Well it does, but as a performance major, I will never be happy...I have heard the best of the best in the tuba world play...one of ones even played on my F tuba....in tune...with an amazing tone). Everyone at the recital said I should be happy of the recital, that it was a great recital, high level of playing, etc. I guess that is what matters most, that I entertained a crowd and they enjoyed tuba playing...thats why we do music....right? I even heard some students singing the Rumanian Dance no 2 as they were leaving; people who are in intro to music classes who are not majors.

NOW FOR THE IMPORTANT PART!

So this weekend, one of the graduate pianists, Carolyn (one of my recital's accompanist) organized something where all the graduate students can perform as a big group one last time, before everyone goes to their next life destination, all across the world. For this, I chose the Lebedev. I rehearsed it today, and it sounds like a different player. I was having tone issues due to lips or whatever, but I was told I sounded much darker than at my recital (and I generally am told I have a dark tone), and that I sounded even more relaxed, more musical, more accurate, etc. on this. I asked myself why. I know why...because this is something I do for fun! There is no stress no need to worry, etc. I need to do this...I mean several places where I auditioned at for DMA, my current professor, and one of the biggest names in brass pedagogy (who teaches at a place nicknamed "Tuba Mecca") said this is the main thing I need to work on...and I just proved everyone right.

Oh, I decided on a school for next year :)

A Penderecki Progress: Sunday March 20, 2011

So, I have decided to start a blog, nothing big, and if you don't like it, you don't have to read it.

Yesterday, the Miami University Brass Choir was asked to play at the New Now Norse New Music Festival at North Kentucky University. Before we went on, I was asked to play the Penderecki Capriccio for solo tuba. I agreed, since it is good experience. It had been over a week since I worked on the piece...and it is an extremely difficult piece. As I returned home yesterday afternoon, I spent a few hours on the piece working it back up.

So today comes, I wake up at 7am (which is the earliest I have woken up in weeks) and drove to NKU. I warmed up a little, and my face let me know it was too early, and I was a little dehydrated. I decided to take what I learned from the last 2 auditions and apply it here, and not to make excuses. I was asked to talk about the piece, and as I was walking up, 50 minutes without playing a note, I didn't feel nervous, however I was when I started talking because my voice sounded like I was shaking. I sat down and began to play.

I fudged the first pedal Eb on the first line, but I kept going. I fracked a couple high notes, and kept going, and finished. I didn't feel focused like I wanted to, something I worked on at my final audition with the professor. My interpretation for the piece includes an ongoing conversation of the Polish peasants cries against the communist regime, and that is what I have been working at, but not all of those might have come out. I don't know what really came out, but I finished, and I was pretty pleased with the performance. There are a couple things I want to improve upon, and better physical conditions will help those, but just to convey my interpretation even more clearly and shape the phrases even more.

After the performance, all the composers that were present congratulated me on a nice performance. One of the composers afterwards said she had heard many pro players "crash and burn" on the piece, and I was afraid I had done that, but then she said I played it very musically and accurate on such a hard piece. Other composers were asking me questions on extended techniques and what would work after the performance. I know I still have stuff to work on in this magnificent work, and one of the things that is going to help is spending an hour a week (thats all I need) in two 30 minute sessions keeping this up and keep going with it.

Most importantly, I learned a lot today. I have heard a few pro players play this piece who played it very accurately in a live setting, and no one yet has played it note perfect note wise, or without cracking a note. The impressive performances I have heard of this piece have cracked notes and missed notes, etc., but the musical line and interpretation is what I really like about those performances, and what makes it a great performance. I feel, after my recital, I could rent a studio for 3 hours and make one heck of a recording of this piece. I might not want to release it on a CD yet, but I think the recording would be really good and would be releasable.

James M Green, from Oxford, OH