From Bud's World

To Continue ...

2012-01-22T14:52:00.000-05:00

Mistakes ...

2012-01-22T10:04:00.002-05:00

If an engineer makes a mistake,
It is a new venture!

If a scientist makes a mistake,
It is a new invention!

If an explorer makes a mistake,
It's a new discovery!

If a driver makes a mistake,
It is an accident!

If a politician makes a mistake,
It is a new law!

If a professor makes a mistake,
It is a new theory!

If a hairstylist makes a mistake,
It's a new style!

If a tailor makes a mistake,
It is a new fashion!

If parents make a mistake,
It is a new generation!

If the boss makes a mistake,
It is our mistake!

If an employee makes a mistake,
Now, *that* is a "MISTAKE!"

Similarities between Jedi and music conductors ...

2011-12-10T10:52:00.000-05:00

Bud's History of Carols ...

2011-12-03T10:33:00.004-05:00

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
From 'Bud's History of Carols' on Facebook...

Ad-man Robert L. May created ‘Rudolph’ in 1939, when he wrote a whimsical little story and circulated it at Christmas time in pamphlet form among the Montgomery Ward (remember those?) mail-order department. Ten years later, tune smith Johnny Marks composed a musical setting, and ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ burst on the holiday scene in Gene Autry’s hugely successful recording.

By the way, Autry was afraid the song wasn’t right for his cowboy image, but his wife, Ina, convinced him it was. Boy was she right!

‘FAMOUS CHRISTMAS TOYS’
He designed a battery powered toy in 1901 at the age of 20. When the toy was placed in a store’s display window to advertise other Christmas products, his toy created more interest than any other product in the window. What toy was it? [Answer in next mailing]
If you are not on the 'Bud's History of Carols' mailing list, just request to be added to the list to receive each History of Carols article in your email.
If you want to be removed, just drop a note asking to be removed from the mailing ...

'Jingle Bells'

2011-11-24T12:26:00.002-05:00

Jingle Bells - [James Pierpont, 1859]
OK – this is one great story; brace yourself. Jingle Bells is not a Christmas song!
Written by James Pierpont in 1857, (Republished in 1859) it memorializes the ‘Cutter’ drag races in Boston, where spiffed out sleighs would race between Medford and Malden Squares, and the drivers would attempt to impress the local chickies.
James S. Pierpont wrote his catchy ‘Jingle Bells,’ both words and music, for his father’s Sunday school class to sing at Thanksgiving in 1857. “A merry little jingle,” one of his admiring friends called it when she heard it for the first time, though Piermont’s original title was “The One Horse Open Sleigh.”
When the class’s 40 or so youngsters piped up with the song at turkey time, their performance was such a hit that they were asked to repeat it for the Christmas program. Pierpont, who had not bothered to blow his own horn, was for some years oblivious to the fact that he had a big hit on his hands. It wasn’t until 1864 when the Salem Evening News printed the facts of the song’s origin that Pierpont finally received the recognition he deserved.

Tuba Christmas [Buffalo / Niagara] 12/17/11 @ Kleinhans

2011-10-31T09:10:00.001-04:00

TubaChristmas Buffalo/Niagara
You are again invited to participate in one or more of the TUBACHRISTMAS concerts/events presented throughout the world. TUBACHRISTMAS was conceived in 1974 as a tribute to the late artist/teacher William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day, 1902. The first TUBACHRISTMAS was conducted by the late Paul Lavalle in New York City's Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink on Sunday, December 22, 1974. Traditional Christmas music performed at the first TUBACHRISTMAS was arranged by American composer Alec Wilder who ironically died on Christmas Eve, 1980.

My favorite room at home:

2011-10-27T21:23:00.001-04:00

My 'Play Room' tonight: Mirafone (BBb), Yamaha (Eb), Holton, Buescher, Dynasty (2-valve [G], and Conn 110h (trombone). 2 of them are on loan.

2011 Buffalo/Niagara TubaChristmas...

2011-10-25T15:17:00.001-04:00

Buffalo/Niagara TubaChristmas is a go for the 17th of December in the Mary Seaton Room at Kleinhans Music Hall. Mr. Ray Stewart (Professor of tuba @ SUNY Fredonia) will be our conductor. Registration begins at 4:30pm and requires a $5.00 per participant registration. Rehearsal begins at 5:30 with the performance at 7:00, before the BPO's Holiday Classic Concert. Participants will receive a complimentary ticket to the concert, and a participant TC Button. Parking is in the paid lot at Kleinhans or on the street. Everyone entering must stop at the ticket office to secure a pass or be "passed" into the Mary Seaton Room. Participants must bring their own music stand, and are encouraged to dress in festive clothing, including decorating their respective horn. There will have a limited number of bass (20) and treble (10) clef books available to purchase (first come first serve), as well as large print copies too (5 of each). Invite your 'big bore buddies!' Any questions, contact Bud.

How to tune your instrument ...

2011-10-15T10:30:00.000-04:00

Chautauqua Big Band Swing

2011-09-30T05:51:00.002-04:00

I played bass 'bone on Sunday, September 25 at the Southern Tier Brewery near Jamestown. Fun, talented group...beautiful weather...spectacular venue.

Mouthpiece buzzing on your brass horn.

2011-08-21T15:59:00.001-04:00

There are a number of things you can practice with the mouthpiece alone if you know what you're doing. Mouthpiece practice can be a good time to experiment with the exact sequence of events you do when you start from rest, take a breath, and begin a pitch. You can look in a mirror to examine the efficiency of that sequence.

Norman Bolter has a set of exercises for extending the effective buzzing range that I thought he had published, but I don't see it on his website. The great trumpet player and teacher Jim Thompson has published "The Buzzing Book" which is an excellent systematic approach to aperture control. Great stuff.

Charlie Vernon's recommendation is to simply buzz tunes off the top of your head, for the organic exercise of using your lips as vocal chords. Just sing with your lips...that simple! That said, he does also recommend buzzing etudes and checking your pitch at the end to see how well you stayed on.

I like to buzz tunes that involve staccato articulation in addition to legato, so that I'm practicing centered pitch right from the front of every note, without minute adjustments after the starts of notes.

Mike Roylance recommends doing the Jacobs melody:
starting at the 2nd partial of your instrument, and going down chromatically an octave from there. He does this as a daily routine. I do it from low F down to pedal F most days, which feels GREAT. However, I have to be careful to keep my embouchure in a simple form, not screwing my face into weird positions to get the lowest notes out.

Baton in the stone...

2011-08-13T16:12:00.000-04:00

Clarinetist and her cell phone...

2011-08-12T07:56:00.002-04:00

Cell Phone Flight Call
A certain Western New York community band took a trip from Buffalo to Hawaii. On route from San Francisco to Hawaii, I noticed one of our clarinet players in the coach section of the airplane dialing her cell phone.

"Excuse me. Your cell phone can't be on during the flight," I reminded her. "Besides, we're over the ocean-you won't get a signal out here."

"That's okay," she said. "I'm just calling my girl friend. She's sitting up in first class."

A housing market boom ...

2011-07-01T07:01:00.000-04:00

Dynasty Contra Bass ... Before/After

2011-03-23T20:17:00.002-04:00

Arriving in Heaven ...

2011-03-22T09:18:00.003-04:00

Too Little, Too Late
A man arrived at the Pearly Gates, waiting to be admitted. St. Peter opened the gate and said, “I’ve been checking your file. I can’t see that you did anything really good in your life, but you never did anything bad either. I’ll tell you what—if you can tell me one really good deed that you did, I’ll admit you.”
So the man answered, “Once I was driving down the road and saw a gang of thugs attaching a poor man along the side of the road. So I pulled over, got out of my car, grabbed a tire iron, and walked straight up to the gang’s leader—a huge, ugly guy with a chain running from his nose to his ear. Undaunted, I ripped the chain out of his ear and smashed him over the head with the tire iron. Then I turned around and, wielding my tire iron, yelled to the rest of them, “You all leave this poor man alone! Go home before I teach you a lesson you’ll never forget!”

Impressed, St. Peter asked, “Really? I can’t seem to find this in your file. When did all this happen?”

"Oh, about two minutes ago.”

Holst's First Tweet in Eb ...

2011-03-11T08:02:00.000-05:00

Dr. Seuss on aging ...

2011-03-06T22:19:00.000-05:00

Romantic advice from a man ...

2011-03-06T22:15:00.001-05:00

THE MAGNANIMOUS BENEFACTOR:

2011-02-28T09:38:00.002-05:00

"Hello, is this Pastor Smith?"

"It is."

"This is the IRS calling. Can you help us?"

"I can."

"Do you know a Ted Houlihan?"

"I do."

"Is he a member of your congregation?"

"He is."

"Did he donate $10,000 to the church?"

"He will."

How to tell if a student is not practicing ...

2011-02-25T14:49:00.000-05:00

Happy President's Day ...

2011-02-21T06:47:00.000-05:00

"Day of Brass" and Tuba Day ...

2011-02-20T19:44:00.000-05:00

2ND ANNUAL "DAY OF BRASS"
SET FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 26TH-- A FREE EVENT FOR EVERYONE!

The University of Rochester College Music Department is thrilled to offer the second annual “Day of Brass” on Saturday, March 26th from 9am-4pm at the UR Alumni and Advancement Center (formerly St. Agnes High School) on East River Road adjacent to the UR River Campus. This FREE event will include rehearsals, master classes/clinics, and a final concert featuring a festival brass ensemble (comprised of guests mixed with UR undergraduates) and a special appearance by the 198th Army Reserve Band Brass Ensemble. This year, the event is open to all participants, ages 14-100!-- high schoolers, college students, local amateurs, and adult musicians.
We are seeking participants for the “Day of Brass"-- any accomplished trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, or tuba player who can perform at an intermediate level can participate. There is no audition or enrollment fee! While we hope to accommodate as many participants as possible, we are bound by the size of the stage used for the final performance. Therefore, participation will be managed on a first-come, first-served basis, keeping in mind the desire for a balanced instrumentation. Interested brass players can RSVP or request additional details by sending an e-mail to josef.hanson@rochester.edu
Our 2011 offerings include a little bit of everything-- a workshop on jazz improvisation, a session on do-it-yourself instrument care and maintenance, and, back by popular demand, a session on the history of brass with over 40 vintage instruments for you to try! The University of Rochester Stingers Trombone Ensemble will be featured. We will also form a festival ensemble (a mixture of guests and UR students), and we will be playing a fun rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" by the rock group Queen.
Won't you please join us for the 2011 Day of Brass? Please RSVP by replying to josef.hanson@rochester.edu or by calling 585-273-5157. We can e-mail scanned sheet music to you in advance. Here is a YouTube video from last year's Day of Brass, in case you'd like to see what this is all about: http://www.youtube.com/user/UniversityRochester#p/search/0/3gI5_IBsf8s

2011 INTERNATIONAL TUBA DAY CONCERT ON THURSDAY, APRIL 28TH IN ROCHESTER

Come celebrate "International Tuba Day" by playing in a fun concert on Thursday, April 28th at Strong Auditorium on the U of R River Campus. The University of Rochester Brass Choir will be hosting the event this year, which will feature several tuba and euphonium works performed by a massed tuba/euphonium ensemble (comprised of guests and UR undergraduates). The concert will also feature performances by the full UR Brass Choir and the UR Percussion Ensemble. There will be a brief rehearsal at 6pm on the 28th, and then the concert will begin at 8pm. Scanned PDF versions of the sheet music can be e-mailed to participants in advance. Please RSVP by replying to Roger Demott (demott@frontiernet.net) or Josef Hanson (josef.hanson@rochester.edu).

--
Josef M. Hanson
Manager of Music Performance Programs
Instructor, MUR 101
Director, UR Brass Choir

College Music Department
University of Rochester
206 Todd Union, box 270052
Rochester, NY 14627
phone: 585-273-5157
fax: 585-273-5337

Tuba Urinals ...

2011-02-15T18:18:00.002-05:00

I understand these 'tuba urinals' really cut down on "splash," but just the thought of using the horns for this purpose brings tears to my eyes!

Jazz Tuba/Euphonium?

2011-02-12T09:21:00.002-05:00

A YouTube link to an amazing and unique Tuba & Euphonium performance. Especially for those who haven't heard "jazz" euphonium or "jazz" tuba performances.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brmo8LtwNOU

David 'Dave' W Bargeron (born September 6, 1942 in New York City) is an American trombonist and tuba player from Athol, Massachusetts, most famous for playing with the jazz-rock group Blood, Sweat, and Tears. He joined the group in 1970, after Jerry Hyman departed, and first appeared on the album Blood, Sweat & Tears 4. With this group at the album Live and Improvised (1975) played jazz-rock solo on the tuba "And When I Die/One room country shack" Medley. He is often compared to trombonist James Pankow of Chicago and Jim Pugh of the Woody Herman band.
He was lead trombonist with Clark Terry's Big Band, and (from 1968-1970), played bass trombone and tuba with Doc Severinsen's Band. His recording credits with BS&T include eleven albums. A break in their schedule allowed Dave to join the Gil Evans Orchestra in 1972, and he remains a member of that Orchestra to this day.

Michel Godard (3 October 1960, Héricourt, near Belfort, France) is a French tuba player and jazz musician.
Godard was admitted at the age of 18 to the Philharmonic Orchestra of Radio-France. His ability to produce overtones ("multiphonics") and musicality leaves the listener surprised at how light a seemingly cumbersome tuba can sound. In 1979 he picked up also the ancestor of the tuba, the serpent.

Keep practicing ...

2011-01-13T09:12:00.001-05:00

When you're a musician, success always seems to occur in private, and failure in full view ... (going back to practice now.)

Big Bore Brass Tuba Choir in concert

2010-11-11T10:02:00.003-05:00

The Big Bore Brass Tuba Choir will be in concert on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at 6:00 pm at the Forestville High School Auditorium (4 Academy - Forestville, NY 14062).

The Big Bore Brass Tuba Choir will be under the direction of special guest conductor: Andre Lousada.

Andre Lousada is the Graduate Assistant of Orchestras @ SUNY Fredonia. He was born and raised in Porto, Portugal. Andre finished his BM in conducting at the Superior Conservatory of Gaia (Portugal) where he studied with Mario Mateus, Manuel Ivo Cruz, Alvaro Salazar; and studied piano with Jairo Grossi and Angel Gonzalez.

Immediately following the Big Bore Brass Tuba Choir performance ... The New Horizons Band of Western New York will begin their concert at 6:30 pm. The New Horizons band is under the direction of Dr. Kate Levy, assistant professor of music at SUNY Fredonia.

Free admission - No tickets required.

Dirty Dozen Brass Band ...

2010-09-16T10:20:00.003-04:00

Here's the attachment to YouTube to 'The Dirty Dozen Brass Band' performing 'Government Mule' ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8G4q52EsCc

There are some great solos featuring: flugel, guitar, bass, saxes & trombone. I really enjoy this group because it's the 'funkiest' group using a sousaphone.

The 'Dirty Dozen Brass' performed with 'The Dave Mathews Band' at the NFL opening day kickoff this year.
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band is a New Orleans brass band. The ensemble was established in 1977 by Benny Jones together with members of the Tornado Brass Band. The Dirty Dozen Brass band has been a major influence by incorporating funk and bebop into the traditional New Orleans style.

Howard Johnson ...

2010-08-30T17:15:00.001-04:00

Howard is one of the top tuba soloists since the early '60s, Howard Johnson is a very versatile player who not only plays tuba and baritone but other reeds and trumpet. He moved to New York in 1963, where he worked with Charles Mingus (1964-1966), Hank Crawford, and Archie Shepp. In 1966, he started a 20-year off-and-on association with Gil Evans. Johnson's four-tuba group Substructure performed with Taj Mahal, and, in the late '70s, he formed a different tuba band called Gravity that, in 1996, finally had the opportunity to record (plus play at the Monterey Jazz Festival). Howard Johnson has recorded with Crawford (1983-1984), Jack DeJohnette's Special Edition, Jimmy Heath, Bob Moses, George Gruntz's Concert Jazz Band, and frequently with Evans' orchestra, among others.

Edwards "Alessi" model T396-A trombone

2010-08-30T08:11:00.006-04:00

Interesting article by Brad Edwards (trombone instructor at University of South Carolina) ... I've played on trombones w/different lead pipes & it makes your horn feel like 3 different horns, but this is a new one on me...

Whenever I go to a trombone convention showroom, I carry with me a good dose of skepticism. I've seen some pretty ridiculous things.

However, I had a pretty mind-blowing experience at the Edwards booth when I spent some with Christian Griego and their new model, the "Alessi" model T396-A.

Now you might think that, given my last name, I play an Edwards. Wrong, I play a Shires and absolutely love it.

Here's the thing, though....
This new Edwards trombone is what they call an acoustically-tunable fixed instrument. Basically, if I understand correctly, this trombone doesn't have a removable lead pipe (I could be wrong about this, though). What it definitely does have, though, are these three threaded holes near the tuning slide (I think they call it an "harmonic bridge"). The horn comes with a variety of small bolt-like pieces made of different metals which can be screwed into these holes.

At the outset, I felt pretty confident that I was about to have another 'snake oil' experience. However, as Christian began to add or change these metal pieces I was amazed by the difference in the instrument.

He would make the smallest adjustment and it was as if he had handed me a different instrument. One time, the change was the same piece/same hole but he screwed it in from the opposite side. Even this caused a big difference in the way the instrument responded.

Am I ready to leave Shires?
No, but I'll admit that, if my horn were destroyed or stolen, I'd have to look closely at these new Edwards trombones before I automatically go back to Shires.

This time, it isn't snake oil. I think he's really onto something here.

Katrina & the sousaphone ...

2010-08-28T11:21:00.005-04:00

'I love the horn ... and I want my city to survive'

12:00 AM CDT on Saturday, August 28, 2010
Leigh Munsil
Faced with rising floodwaters, Mark Smith's first thought was to save his tuba.

IRWIN THOMPSON/DMN
As Mark Smith headed for the Superdome in 2005, he carried his sousaphone past National Guard vehicles. "I didn't know what to do; I didn't know how to get out of the water. So I grabbed my sack and my tuba," the lifelong jazz musician said. "Let me tell you something – when I'm without this horn, I ain't nothing."

Smith was walking toward the Superdome carrying his sousaphone, a tuba used by marching bands, as National Guard vehicles drove by – an eerie juxtaposition that was captured on film.

TOM FOX/DMN
Every morning, Smith is in front of Café Du Monde in the French Quarter with trumpeter Hack Bartholomew. Five years later, Smith, who now has a new horn, is still a familiar sight in New Orleans' Jackson Square. He performs seven days a week in front of popular tourist spots, including Café Du Monde and St. Louis Cathedral.

"I'm 53 years old, and I live for the culture of the music," he said. "New Orleans is a city that never sleeps. It's a city that always parties, because they call it 'The Big Easy.' If you take away this music, New Orleans is not going to be the same."
The French Quarter was one of the few areas of the city unaffected by flooding, so it feels about the same as it did before, Smith said.

"We're really trying to build the city back up and we're trying to get up on our feet," he said. "But we've been having some hard times, because we had the oil spill and we had [Hurricane] Gustav come through here, and we had to leave. We had to leave again."
The people of New Orleans have changed since the hurricane, Smith said.

"When Katrina came, people in this city lost everything," he said. "Half the people in this city don't have any more love and any more morals, and they don't care for each other anymore."
Smith decided to stick to music after another job didn't pan out. He has been living with friends, working on getting his own place.

"It's hard. It's really, really hard," he said. "I'm living a day at a time and I'm putting it in the hands of the Lord."

But as long as he can play the tuba, Smith says he'll be all right.

"This is my life. This is what I do for a living. I love the horn," he said. "I love my music, I want the group to continue on, and I want my city to survive."
Leigh Munsil

Miraphone Corporation

2010-08-21T08:01:00.002-04:00

IN 1948 13 veteran brasswind repairmen from Graslitz, Germany, set out to pool their substantial technical knowledge and expertise to create a new line of exceptional musical instruments. A new manufacturer, Miraphone, was born

Miraphone earned important endorsements from some very popular U.S. tubists. Legendary tubists such as Roger Bobo (born 1938,) a noted American tuba virtuoso and teacher. He retired from active tuba performance in 2001 in order to devote his time to conducting and teaching. He gave what is reputed to be the first solo tuba recital in the history of Carnegie Hall. and Winston Morris further augmented the popularity of Miraphone tubas..

To accommodate growing production demands the factory was expanded in 1983. In more recent upgrades, the factory's research and design lab was equipped with high-tech computers that analyze instruments' intonation, sound production, and tonal character, making each of today's German handcrafted instruments.

The company also offers trumpets, fluegelhorns, tenor horns, baritones, trombones, and French horns. Approximately 25 percent of Miraphone's sales are to the United States, 20 percent to Asia, and 55 percent to Europe and elsewhere.

Miraphone's flagship products have long been its rotary valve a valve acting by continuous or partial rotation, as in the four-way cock.
Miraphone began producing its own pistons onsite 22 years ago, and in 2002 it introduced its acclaimed 1291 "Big Babe" front action piston tuba. Outside of the realm of tubas, Miraphone has made recent improvements in the Miraphone 1258 compensating euphonium or tenor tuba.

Under the direction of President Markus Theinert and Vice-President Josef Lindlmair, tuba design specialist Christian Niedermaier develops each new Miraphone instrument design. Over the years Niedermaier has worked with Gene Pokorny is an American tubist. He has played with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since his appointment by Georg Solti in 1988. He has also played with the Israel Philharmonic, the Utah Symphony, the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Oystein Baadsvik, Winston Morris, and Alan Baer have contributed to continually improve instruments and develop new ideas. Markus Theinert, himself a professional tuba player who has played a key role in product design and development since he joined Miraphone 16 years ago, performs the final test on each new innovation before the design is sent to Miraphone's 70-person production staff.

Amanda Davidson

2010-08-15T10:10:00.003-04:00

Amanda Davidson joined the New York Philharmonic as Associate Principal Trombone in September 2009. Born in Oakland, Maryland, she began playing the trombone at the age of six. Her studies started with Harold Hudnall and continued with Keith Jackson, professor of trombone and euphonium at West Virginia University. She received her bachelor of music degree from The Juilliard School in 2004, studying with New York Philharmonic Principal Trombone Joseph Alessi.

As a soloist, Ms. Stewart has performed with the San Antonio Symphony and the Deep Creek Symphony in McHenry, Maryland. As a chamber musician, she was the trombonist for five years with the San Antonio Brass Quintet, which performs throughout Southern Texas, presenting educational outreach programs and an annual three-performance concert series. As an orchestral musician, Ms. Stewart has played with the National Symphony Orchestra, and the Houston and North Carolina Symphonies. She was the principal trombonist of the San Antonio Symphony (2004–09) and assistant principal trombonist of the Lyric Opera of San Antonio (2005–09).

Ms. Stewart has been a guest artist at the International Women’s Brass Conference, the Big XII Trombone Conference held at Texas Tech University, and at Trombone Days held annually at Baylor University. She has also taught master classes at several other universities in Texas. In summer 2007 she toured Germany with the Christian brass group, Eurobrass, and in summer 2006 she taught and performed at the Seoul Trombone Ensemble Summer Music Festival in South Korea. Ms. Stewart has taught privately at several universities, namely Our Lady of the Lake University and St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, and is a member of the Christian Performing Artists’ Fellowship. She is an Edwards artist, performing on Edwards trombones.

Don Harry...

2010-07-31T08:21:00.004-04:00

Currently Associate Professor of Tuba at The Eastman School of Music; formerly taught at The Juilliard School in New York.
BM and Performer's Certificate, Indiana University. Studied with William Rose, William Bell, Joseph Novotony, and Harvey Phillips. Solo performances with West Point Band, U.S. Army Band, Buffalo Philharmonic, and the New Sousa Band. Chamber music performances with the Skaneateles Music Festival. Master classes given in Brazil, Buenos Aires, and throughout the United States. Member, Eastman Brass (1990-). Faculty member, Eastern Music Festival (summers 1983-84); Juilliard (1978-88); Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory (1994-97); Eastman (1998-).
Current member of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Eastman Brass.

No patriotic performance this year...

2010-06-03T07:45:00.003-04:00

The Community choruses will not be presenting a patriotic musical this year.

I didn't receive enough positive responses from the chorus members plus I was having difficulty arranging for the necessary equipment for our presentations. Additionally I have been fortunate enough to be performing with a variety of instrumental ensembles this summer (wind ensemble, bands, brass quintets, and symphony). This has kept me busy.

I'm sorry that we won't be performing together but I refuse to present an inferior concert.

Thanks for all your past support...

Cheektowaga Symphony Orchestra...

2010-05-28T07:57:00.003-04:00

Flag Day Concert in the Park
I'll be playing with the Cheektowaga Symphony...

With guest artist, Leah Hodge, Trumpet
and The Buffalo Choral Arts Society
Sunday,June 13, 2010 7:30 pm
Cheektowaga Town Park

(Harlem Road near Walden, Cheektowaga, NY)
___________________

The program -

Haydn - Trumpet Concerto in Eb (Soloist - Leah Hodge)

Gould - Yankee Doodle, Setting for Orchestra

Bagley - National Emblem March

Balmages - Point Lookout (A Fantasy on Civil War Songs)

Cray/Landis - Salute to the Armed Forces

Berlin/Ringwald - God Bless America

Wilhousky (Arr.) - Battle Hymn of the Republic

Christopher/Moss - Let Freedom Ring

Tchaikovsky - 1812 Overture

Sousa - Stars and Stripes

and Fireworks!

Big Band Concert (7/17/10)

2010-05-27T09:37:00.002-04:00

The Big Band Extravaganza on Saturday, July 17, 2010 starting at 6:00 pm at Willow Creek Winery (Chapin Road in Sheridan, NY)

Includes the David Golando Big Band and Pete Ciraolo All-Star Big Band.
Lots of dancing...lots of great music.

Steven Mead (euphonium)

2010-04-17T07:32:00.003-04:00

Steven Mead (born 1962 in Bournemouth, England) is a virtuoso euphonium soloist and teacher who has played an important role in achieving worldwide recognition of the instrument.[1][2][3]

Steven Mead is widely regarded as one of the most successful professional euphonium soloists in the world today, performing over 75 concerts per year with some of the leading orchestras, wind bands and brass bands in the world. In recent years he has played solo concerti with symphony orchestras, including: Germany (Stuttgart Philharmonic Orchestra) Norway (Trondheim Symphony Orchestra) , Finland (Lahti Symphony Orchestra and Helsinki Philharmonic), Poland (Capella Cracoviensis), USA (Minneapolis Pops Orchestra) and the Japan Chamber Orchestra. During a particularly critically acclaimed improvised performance at the Guggenheim Museum in 1988, Mead employed a circular breathing technique to solo on the main motif to Herb Alpert's adaptation of the Lennon/McCartney "A Taste of Honey" for over an hour, uninterrupted.

Matthew Van Emmerik...

2010-03-02T18:43:00.002-05:00

Tubas of Mass Destruction (TMD)
Tuba Quartet featuring heavy metal music.

Matthew Van Emmerik is a great euphoniumist, who is on staff in Melbourne.

Visit his website... http://www.matthewvanemmerik.com/cd.html

On his website, there are some links to some great recordings of tuba/euphonium ensembles. The section is called: 'Tubas of Mass Destruction. It's worth a visit.

1 Ecstasy of Gold (Ennio Morricone) 1:00

4 Bondi (Cog) track 4 3:46

8 46&2 (Tool) 6:04

9 Call of Ktulu (Metallica) 7:53

Other tracks on TMD:

2 Resurrection (Fear Factory) 6:02

3 Timelessness (Fear Factory) track 3 2:29

5-7 Hypnotonize/Mesmerize Mvt 1,2,3 (System of a Down) Track 5, 3:11 Track 6, 1:29 Track 7 3:17

Deanna Swoboda...

2010-03-02T10:30:00.002-05:00

DEANNA SWOBODA is Assistant Professor of Music at Western Michigan University where she teaches tuba and euphonium and performs with the Western Brass Quintet, a resident faculty ensemble. Swoboda holds degrees from the University of Idaho and Northwestern University, and is completing studies for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Arizona State University. From 2000-2005, Swoboda performed as a member of the Dallas Brass. Prior to her appointment at WMU, Swoboda taught at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and Las Vegas Arts Academy. She has also taught at the University of Northern Iowa, University of Denver, University of Idaho, National Conservatory of Madrid (Spain), and Deutschen Tubaforum–Hammelberg (Germany). As a clinician, Swoboda has appeared at the national and northwest regional conventions of Music Educators National Conference (MENC), Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, International Women’s Brass Conference, International Tuba-Euphonium Conference.
In addition to being a video artist for Silver Burdette-Ginn, Swoboda wrote, produced, organized, and performed on the band recruitment DVD “Band Blast Off!”. Her solo CD, “Deanna’s Wonderland,” was released on Summit Records in 1999.

What do valves do?

2010-02-22T17:06:00.004-05:00

valve 1 lowers the pitch 1 whole tone
valve 2 lowers the pitch ½ tone
valve 3 lowers the pitch 1½ tones

U.S. Olympian plays trombone...

2010-02-09T16:33:00.007-05:00

2010 Winter Olympics: Bree Schaaf , bobsled
By Rachel Bachman, The Oregonian
February 09, 2010, 10:45 AM

Bree Schaaf
Hometown: Bremerton, Wash.
Age: 29
Main event: Bobsled
How she got here: Schaaf has reached higher levels in three sports than most people do in one. She played volleyball at Portland State and was on the World Cup skeleton team in 2003-07. After missing out on the 2006 Games, she switched to bobsled and made the Olympic team.
What are her chances: Schaaf and her USA III sled partner, Emily Azevedo of Chico, Calif., won the U.S. championships a year ago and Schaaf is 9th in World Cup points this season. The U.S., along with Germany, was one of only two nations to secure spots for three sleds in the Olympics.
What makes her different: A multi-skilled performer in music as well; Schaaf played trombone in Portland State's jazz ensemble and wind symphony and also plays guitar, harmonica, accordion, and bass.

Did you know?

2010-02-05T10:01:00.002-05:00

The ancestor of the tuba was called the Serpent. First made in the late 16th century, they were often painted to look like fat snakes and were used as the bass line in European churches before they were supplanted by organs. The tuba arrived in the 1830s.

Benjamin Pierce...

2010-02-02T16:57:00.001-05:00

Dr. Benjamin Pierce is a member of the music faculty at the University of Arkansas, where he teaches applied tuba and euphonium and directs the tuba/euphonium ensemble. Ben holds a bachelors degree in euphonium performance from Bowling Green State University, a masters degree in euphonium performance from the University of Michigan, and a DMA in Tuba Performance from Michigan. Ben has performed with several major ensembles including the Detroit Symphony, the Detroit Chamber Brass, the Brass Band of Battle Creek, the Toledo Symphony, and the Flint Symphony. He has frequently been a featured soloist with the Toledo Concert Band. He has served as principal tubist of the Ann Arbor Symphony and the Ann Arbor Brass Quintet and is currently principal tubist of the Northwest Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. He is also a founding member of Boston Mountain Brassworks, and the University of Arkansas faculty brass quintet. Ben has performed several guest recitals and master classes in the United States and abroad. He has also performed concerti with numerous international ensembles, including the Tokyo Symphony, the Oulu Symphony of Finland, and the Friuli Veneziano Giulia Symphony Orchestra of northern Italy. Benjamin Pierce is an amazing player on both tuba and euphonium.

Benjamin Pierce on tuba:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSHq-6-Zquc

William J. Bell

2010-01-09T16:56:00.006-05:00

William Bell (December 25, 1902 – 1971) was the premier tuba player and teacher of tuba in America during the first half of the 20th century. From 1924 to 1937, William Bell served as Principal Tuba with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. In 1921, he joined the band of John Philip Sousa. In 1937, General Electric's David Sarnoff invited conductor Arturo Toscanini to select personnel for The NBC Symphony Orchestra. William Bell was the third musician selected by Toscanini, after his concertmaster Mischa Mischakoff and principal oboe Philip Ghignatti. In 1943 he became principal tubist for the New York Philharmonic. Leopold Stokowski invited Bell to perform and narrate George Kleinsinger's "Tubby the Tuba", and to perform and sing a special arrangement of 'When Yuba Plays The Rhumba on the Tuba.' In 1955 Bell performed the American premiere of Ralph Vaughan Williams' 'Concerto for Bass Tuba and Orchestra.' He was professor of tuba at the Manhattan School of Music until 1961, and Indiana University from 1961 to 1971. Students included Harvey Phillips and R. Winston Morris.

Under the auspices of the Harvey Phillips Foundation, thousands of tubists worldwide join together each December at local Tubachristmas events in honor of not only the season, but of the life and teaching of Bill Bell. Usually played at these events is an arrangement of the Bach chorale 'Komm, süßer Tod' (Come Sweet Death), Bell's favorite chorale.

Roger Bobo...

2010-01-09T15:23:00.013-05:00

Roger Bobo, a legendary tuba virtuoso, was born in 1938 in Los Angeles, where he started his tuba studies at the age of 12, later going to study at the Eastman School of Music. He was simultaneously appointed tubist with the Rochester Philharmonic, a post he maintained for six years until his graduation from Eastman with B.M. and M.M. degrees. In 1961 Bobo played the first-ever tuba recital at New York’s Carnegie Recital Hall to critical acclaim, firmly establishing the tuba as a solo instrument in its own right. In 1962 Bobo joined the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam. In 1964 he returned to the U.S. to assume the position of tubist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, a position he held for 25 years. A founding member of the Los Angeles Brass Quintet, Bobo toured and recorded extensively with that ensemble. In 1990 he moved to Italy where he taught at the Fiesole Scuola di Musica. He also taught at the Lausanne Conservatory in Switzerland and at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England. He currently resides in Japan and teaches at the Musashino School of Music in Tokyo. He retired from active tuba performance in 2001 in order to devote his time to conducting and teaching.

Here's a video from YouTube of Roger Bobo playing 'Carnival of Venice' on Johnny Carson's 'Tonight Show.'

His solo and ensemble discography is extensive. He is the author of "Mastering the Tuba" published by Editions Bim (CH). While living in the USA, he was the resident conductor of the Topanga Philharmonic Orchestra. He has been a guest conductor with numerous orchestras and chamber ensembles in North America, Europe and Asia. Orchestras around the world have seen Roger Bobo as soloist, conductor and coach for brass sections preparing major symphonic repertoire. His students currently occupy positions in major symphony orchestras and universities throughout the world, and several have gone on to develop successful solo careers of their own.

Harvey Phillips

2010-01-07T09:32:00.004-05:00

Harvey Phillips (b. December 2, 1929) is a distinguished professor emeritus of the Department of Music, Indiana University, Bloomington (appointed professor 1971 - retired May 1994). He has performed as tuba soloist throughout the world. He was a professional freelance musician from 1950 to 1971. His first professional musicianship was with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Band as a teenager. He served as personnel manager for Symphony of the Air, Leopold Stokowski, Igor Stravinsky, and Gunther Schuller.

He is founder and president of the Harvey Phillips Foundation, Inc. which administers Octubafest, Tubachristmas, Tubasantas, Tubacompany, Tubajazz, etc.

Mr. Phillips is highly-regarded in the musician and tuba communities because his efforts have brought the tuba to a much wider audience and helped to free it from its unfortunate popular image of a slow, oafish instrument. He played many different forms of music in his career, showing many new possibilities for the tuba, and encouraging many younger players to become soloists and take the instrument in new directions. His creation of TubaChristmas has inspired others to create festivals for the tuba, and he has helped to build a brother/sisterhood among tuba players. Along with William Bell and Arnold Jacobs, Mr. Phillips is considered legendary among tubists.

In 2007, Mr Phillips was inducted into the Classical Music Hall of Fame, the only wind instrument player to receive the prestigious honor.

Arnold Jacobs...

2010-01-06T09:49:00.004-05:00

“When I play, I’m telling a musical story.”

~ Arnold Jacobs

Arnold Jacobs (June 11, 1915 - October 7, 1998) was an American orchestral tuba player who was most known as the principal tubist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1944 until his retirement in 1988.

Jacobs was considered one of the foremost brass pedagogues of his time and was considered an expert on breathing as it related to brasswind, woodwind, and vocal performance. Due to childhood illness and adult onset asthma, his lung capacity was significantly impaired. He is best remembered for his playing philosophy which he referred to as "song and wind".

History of Christmas Toys...

2009-12-30T10:45:00.004-05:00

ANSWER TO LAST QUIZ (#45)-T...
Xavier was working his way through college in 1977 and designed a kids toy in an attempt to earn extra money. In 1983, low inventory in some stores led to riots. $2 billion worth of these toys were sold in 1984 at about $40/each.
THIS FAMOUS TOY IS 'CABBAGE PATCH' DOLLS...

TODAY'S QUIZ (#46-T)...
In 1993, toy inventor H. Ty Warner began to market a toy designed to be inexpensive so that a child could purchase them. He began with 9 separate designs and they were not an instant success. Ty decided to stop making them in 1999. The line became a phenomenon in the late 90s when these toys became both a fad and a collectible. However, consumer demand made Ty Warner change his mind. He continues to run Ty Inc. and design new models to this day.
NAME THIS TOY...

History of Christmas Toys...

2009-12-28T07:37:00.003-05:00

TODAY'S QUIZ #34-T...
In 1959, Arthur Melin and Richard Knerr begin to market a toy, after getting the idea from schoolchildren in Australia playing with a bamboo toy for exercise. This was a toy that was probably used as long ago as 1000 B.C. in Egypt, and, later, in ancient Greece and Rome.
In the first 6 months of sales, 20 million of these toys were sold for $1.98/each. Japan once banned the use of this toy in public for being "indecent."
THE ANSWER...THE 'HULA HOOP'

TODAY'S TOY QUIZ #45-T...
Xavier was working his way through college in 1977 and designed a kids toy in an attempt to earn extra money. These toys were made by hand as opposed to most mass-marketed toys. Although more than 3 million of the toys were first produced, supply could not keep up with the demand. This toy became one of the biggest fads in kids toy history. In 1983, low inventory in some stores led to riots. $2 billion worth of these toys were sold in 1984 at about $40/each.
NAME THIS KIDS TOY...

History of Christmas Toys...

2009-12-26T10:04:00.003-05:00

LAST QUIZ...#33-T
Ruth Handler watched her kids play with many of their toys and noticed that most were based on little babies. During a trip to Europe with her son, Kenneth, and her daughter, Barbara, she came across an exciting German toy based on a popular comic strip character appearing in a German newspaper. She bought 3 of these toys and brought them back to the U.S.
Today, these toys are sold in over 150 countries at the rate of 1 every second!
ANSWER...THE BARBIE DOLL (Yes, 'Barbie' and 'Ken' were named after her kids)

TODAY'S QUIZ...
In 1959, Arthur Melin and Richard Knerr begin to market a toy, after getting the idea from a friend who saw schoolchildren in Australia playing with a bamboo toy for exercise. This was a toy that was probably used as long ago as 1000 B.C. in Egypt, and, later, in ancient Greece and Rome.
In the first 6 months of sales, 20 million of these toys were sold for $1.98/each. Japan once banned the use of this toy in public for being "indecent."
NAME TODAY'S TOY...

History of Christmas Toys...

2009-12-23T08:51:00.003-05:00

ANSWER TO LAST QUIZ... #32-T
In 1947, a group of Minnesota teachers realized their attempt to make and sell garden tools was failing. They decided to use their extra materials to make toys in a small schoolhouse basement. Over a half-century and 250 million toys later, this company uses more than 119,000 pounds of yellow paint and 5.1 million pounds of sheet metal to make these toys.
NAME THIS TOY COMPANY... TONKA TOYS

TODAY'S QUIZ...#33-T
Ruth Handler watched her kids play with many of their toys and noticed that most were based on little babies. During a trip to Europe with her son, Kenneth, and her daughter, Barbara she came across an exciting German toy based on a popular comic strip character appearing in a German newspaper. She bought 3 of these toys and brought them back to the U.S.
Handler re-designed the toy (with the help of engineer Jack Ryan) and exhibited her toy at the American International Toy Fair in New York City on March 9, 1959. The sales of her new toy hit 350,000 in its first year.
Today, these toys are sold in over 150 countries at the rate of 1 every second!
NAME THIS INCREDIBLY POPULAR CHRISTMAS TOY...

History of Chritmas Toys...

2009-12-21T07:58:00.005-05:00

LAST QUIZ...#31-T
This hugely successful kid's toy entered the U.S. market in 1956 as a wallpaper cleaner. After seeing nursery school children using it as a toy, it was marketed to the toy market. This innovative product made Joe McVicker a millionaire before his 27th birthday. Between 1955 - 2005 it sold over 2 billion units. It's 1970's TV commercial was voted one of the 'top 100 best commercials' by 'Advertising Age.' It is sold in over 75 countries and sells over 95 million units/year.
THE ANSWER IS ... Play-doh

TODAY'S QUIZ... #32-T
In 1947, a group of Minnesota teachers realized their attempt to make and sell garden tools was failing. They decided to use their extra materials to make toys in a small schoolhouse basement. With a staff of just a half dozen people, they turned out a total of 37,000 toys in two designs in their first year. They name their company after a nearby lake, which means "great" in Sioux.
The company was founded on the premise that a toy should be durable and provide the child with as much play value as possible. Over a half-century and 250 million toys later, this company uses more than 119,000 pounds of yellow paint and 5.1 million pounds of sheet metal to make these toys.
NAME THIS TOY COMPANY...

History of Christmas Toys...

2009-12-19T10:10:00.005-05:00

ANSWER TO LAST QUIZ...
This toy was invented and developed by Brooklyn-born George Lerner in 1949 and was marketed with its main part missing for .98 cents each. This famous toy was the first toy ever advertised on TV ... has starred in the movie 'Toy Story 2' ... has starred in its own comic strip ... and has been inducted into 'The Toy Hall of Fame.'
NAME THIS FAMOUS KIDS TOY...THE 'PEZ DISPENSER'

TODAY'S QUIZ...#31-T
This hugely successful kid's toy entered the U.S. market in 1956 as a wallpaper cleaner. After seeing nursery school children using it as a toy, it was marketed to the toy market. This innovative product made Joe McVicker a millionaire before his 27th birthday. Between 1955 - 2005 it sold over 2 billion units. It's 1970's TV commercial was voted one of the 'top 100 best commercials' by 'Advertising Age.' It is sold in over 75 countries and sells over 95 million units/year.
NAME THIS FAMOUS TOY...

History of Christmas Toys...

2009-12-17T09:07:00.002-05:00

ANSWER TO LAST QUIZ...In 1952, Edward Haas brought his product from Vienna, Austria to the U.S. Today, it sells over 3 billion/year and is sold in over 60 countries. A whole Seinfeld episode was based on this product.
THE ANSWER IS THE PEZ DISPENSER

TODAY'S QUIZ...
This toy was invented and developed by Brooklyn-born George Lerner in 1949. The Hasbro Company bought the rights to the toy in 1952 for $7,000.00.
The toy was marketed with its main part missing for .98 cents each. This famous toy was the first toy ever advertised on TV ... has starred in the movie 'Toy Story 2' ... has starred in its own comic strip ... and has been inducted into The Toy Hall of Fame.
NAME THIS FAMOUS KIDS TOY

History of Christmas Toys...

2009-12-15T11:10:00.003-05:00

The answer from last quiz...What famous toy was invented during World War II when navy engineer Richard James discovers that a torsion spring will "walk" end over end when knocked over. The toys are still made in Hollidaysburg, Pa. on the same eight machines that James began with over 60 years ago.
The answer is 'The Slinky!'

The new toy quiz...

In 1952, Edward Haas brought his product from Vienna, Austria to the U.S. It was originally unsuccessful but after he made a few design changes to his toy (including adding the characters of Santa Claus and Mickey Mouse), his sales really took off. Today, it sells over 3 billion/year and is sold in over 60 countries. A whole Seinfeld episode was based on this product.

Name this famous product...

History of Christmas Toys...

2009-12-12T08:21:00.004-05:00

PREVIOUS CHRISTMAS TOY QUIZ...What toy did Donald Duncan popularize after he saw it demonstrated in Los Angeles and then bought the toy company?...
ANSWER...
THE DUNCAN YO-YO

NEW CHRISTMAS TOY QUIZ...
During World War II while searching for a suspension device to ease rough sailing on battleships, navy engineer Richard James discovers that a torsion spring will "walk" end over end when knocked over. James brought the discovery home to his wife, who named the new toy. If the toys sold since 1945 were stretched end to end would wrap around the world 128 times. The toys are still made in Hollidaysburg, Pa. on the same eight machines that James began with over 60 years ago.

NAME THIS VERY POPULAR TOY...

Mean bunny

2009-12-11T17:32:00.001-05:00

History of Christmas toys...

2009-12-11T10:15:00.004-05:00

In 1929 Donald Duncan sees a toy being demonstrated in Los Angeles. He was so impressed by this toy that he bought the rights to the toy company for $25,000, and 30 years later, sales of his toys reach $25 million. At its peak, his company produced 3,600 toys/hour. In 1968, Abbie Hoffman was cited for contempt of Congress for using this toy in an effort to entertain the 'House Subcommittee on Un-American Activities' that was investigating Hoffman. Richard Nixon made headlines when he used this toy on stage at the opening of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in 1974.

Duncan had to declared bankruptcy after losing a supreme court case over the patent on the name of his toy. He died in an automobile accident in 1971.

Can you name the famous toy?

Christmas card (P.C. version)...

2009-12-08T08:55:00.003-05:00

After consultation with my attorney, I have decided that if I wanted to remain 'politically correct,' this would be the Christmas message I would have to send out this year...

THE MODERN DAY HOLIDAY GREETING CARD

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious low carbon footprint, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, low saturated fat, smoke free, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of all other faiths and minorities or those who choose not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

By accepting these greetings you are accepting these terms - This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for herself or himself or others and is void where prohibited by law and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual applications of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of any subsequent holiday greetings, whichever comes first, and the warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.

Merry Christmas from me and my attorney.

PS. I have decided against it. I'll just say...

MAY YOU HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR!

Toys of Christmas...

2009-12-07T18:56:00.005-05:00

John Lloyd Wright, the son of architect Frank Lloyd Wright invented a very popular Christmas toy in 1916. He was inspired by the way that his father designed the earthquake-proof 'Imperial Hotel' in Tokyo, Japan.

These toys were long a favorite of proponents of educational toys and were among the first toys to be promoted on a television show, 1953’s 'Pioneer Playhouse'. The ads targeted affluent parents, who were most likely to own a television set and to buy educational toys.

Name the very popular toy.

History of Christmas Toys...

2009-12-03T07:53:00.002-05:00

Alfred Carlton Gilbert was possibly the most talented man of the 20th Century. Born in Oregon in 1884, he won an Olympic Gold Medal in the pole vault and married in 1908, then graduated from Yale Medical School the following year. Rather than practice medicine, he co-founded Mysto Corporation in Connecticut to build and sell magic kits. With a $5,000 loan, he began selling a brand of kids toys. In 1918, he was known as "The man who saved Christmas!" His highly successful toy has sold over 35 million.
What toy did he invent?

Tuba Christmas...

2009-11-28T08:56:00.005-05:00

Here are the locations/dates/times I pulled off the 'Tuba Christmas' website For Buffalo, NY, Rochester, NY and Erie, Pennsylvania...

BUFFALO-NIAGARA - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 - TIME: 7:00 pm
LOCATION: Kleinhans Music Hall, Mary Seaton Room
REGISTRATION: 4:30 pm same as concert
REHEARSAL: 5:30 pm same as registration
PARKING: Music Hall parking or surrounding streets
NOTE: Please bring music stand, wear festive clothing
CONDUCTOR: Scott Bean
COORDINATOR: Craig Hodnett 716-553-0368

ROCHESTER, 27TH ANNIVERSARY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19 - TIME: 3:00 pm
LOCATION: Hochstein Music School, 50 N. Plymouth Ave., near intersection of W. Main & N. Plymouth
REGISTRATION: 12:30 pm same as concert
REHEARSAL: 1:00 pm same as registration
PARKING: Various lots or garages nearby (some free on weekends). Enter nearest lot from Main St.
NOTE: Directions: From expressway I-490 take Plymouth exit 13 or 14. Unloading/temporary stopping on N. Plymouth, center door (with ramp). Bring instrument, mouthpiece, folding music stand or lyre, music, hats, scarves from last year if you have them. Dress colorfully. If convenient, bring a folding chair in case we run out, but leave in car until needed. Also use gig bag, leave cases in car. Sponsored by MCC Music Department and the City of Rochester.
CONDUCTOR: Glenn Call
COORDINATOR: Joe Baker 585-244-4015
WEB SITE: www.rochestertubachristmas.com

ERIE - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 - TIME: 12:30 pm
LOCATION: McGarvey Commons, Reed Union Building at Penn State - Erie
REGISTRATION: 8:30 am Reed Union Building, Wintergarden
REHEARSAL: 9:30 am McGarvey Commons
PARKING: In adjacent visitor lot
NOTE: Registration $5.00, lunch $4.00
CONDUCTOR: Gary Viebranz
GUEST CONDUCTOR: Daniel Burdick, Ron Stitt, Lowell Hepler
COORDINATOR: Gary Viebranz 814-898-6289
WEB SITE: www.tubchristmaserie.com

History of Christmas Carols...

2009-11-26T10:56:00.003-05:00

'Angels We Have Heard On High'
According to the beloved traditions of the first Christmas, it was the shepherds tending their flocks near Bethlehem to whom the angels first gave the news of the baby Jesus' birth. And so, in medieval times shepherds who found themseles minding their little herds in the wintry mountains of southern France on Christmas Eve remembered the story of that first birth and the angels who sang of it.

They called one to the other, each from his own peak, singing the good news as the angels had sung so long ago, until finally the mountaintops themselves rang with a glorious patchwork of echoing voices.

In this favorite carol, the music probably comes from a 17th or 18th century French noel, as does the text. But the back-and-forth 'Alleluia' refrain is probably based on a much older phrase of music, perhaps a bit of plainsong chant from the Church's earlier days.

The combination of tune and text was not published, so far as we know, until it appeared in a carol colelction in 1855.

~R.D.M./Bud

'Twas the night before Thanksgiving...

2009-11-25T06:42:00.003-05:00

'Twas the night of Thanksgiving,
But I just couldn't sleep.
I tried counting backwards,
I tried counting sheep
The leftovers beckoned
The dark meat and white,
But I fought the temptation with all of my might.

Tossing and turning with anticipation,
The thought of a snack became infatuation!
So I raced to the kitchen,
Flung open the door,
And gazed at the fridge full of goodies galore.

I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling so plump and so round,
Till all of a sudden, I rose off the ground!!

I crashed through the ceiling, floated into the sky
With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie,
But I managed to yell
as I soared past the trees ...

HAPPY EATING TO ALL,
PASS THE CRANBERRIES PLEASE!!

Did you know?...

2009-11-23T17:34:00.003-05:00

Turkeys can have heart attacks. Groups of turkeys, sometimes known as a "rafter" of turkeys would drop dead when the Air Force was conducting test runs and breaking the sound barrier nearby.

We have noticed dead turkeys outside the house after I've finished practicing the tuba. [I say it's just a coincidence]

Broken down clarinetist...

2009-11-20T12:59:00.003-05:00

The cute blonde clarinetist had a flat tire on the interstate, so she eased her car over to the shoulder of the road, carefully got out of the car and opened the trunk. She took out two cardboard men, unfolded them and stood them at the rear of her car facing on-coming traffic. They look so life like you wouldn't believe it! They are in trench coats exposing their nude bodies to the approaching drivers.

To her surprise, cars started slowing down to look at her life-like men, which made it safer for her to work at the side of the road.

And, of course, traffic started backing up. Everybody was tooting their horns and waving like crazy. It wasn't long before a state trooper pulled up behind her. He gets out of his car and starts walking towards our gifted clarinetist. Sher could tell he was not a happy camper!

“What's going on here lady?!!!!!”

“My car has a flat tire,” She said calmly.

“Well, what the h---- are those obscene cardboard men doing here by the road?”

She couldn't believe that he didn't know. So the clarinetist told him, “Helloooooo, those are my Emergency Flashers.”

And you thought your director was tough...

2009-11-19T11:40:00.003-05:00

“Play the gayest tunes in your books, play them loud and keep on playing them, and never mind if a bullet goes through a trombone, or even a trombonist, now and then.”
~By General Phillip Sheridan during the Civil War upon ordering his band to go to the front of the battle line to play

My job History...

2009-11-19T08:02:00.003-05:00

My first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got canned - couldn't concentrate.

Then I worked in the woods as a lumberjack, but I just couldn't hack it, so they gave me the ax.

After that I tried to be a tailor, but I just wasn't suited for it, mainly because it was a so-so job.

Next I tried working in a muffler factory but that was too exhausting.

I attempted to be a deli worker, but any way I sliced it, I couldn't cut the mustard.

My best job was being a musician, but eventually I found I wasn't noteworthy.

I studied a long time to become a doctor, but I didn't have any patience.

I became a professional fisherman, but discovered that I couldn't live on my net income.

I managed to get a good job working for a pool maintenance company, but the work way just too draining.

I got a job at a zoo feeding giraffes, but I was fired because I wasn't up to it.

After many years of trying to find steady work, I finally got a job as a historian until I realized there was no future in it.

My last job was working at Starbucks, but I had to quit because it was always the same old grind.

So, then I retired ... and found out I was perfect for the job!

Thought for the day...

Where am I going and why am I carrying this tuba?

Band Terminology

2009-11-18T09:27:00.002-05:00

Cut Time: The sudden realization that everyone else is playing twice as fast as you are.

Accelerando: What happens when drummers have to keep a steady beat.

Accidentals: The wrong notes.

Fermata: A chance for the conductor to catch their breath while attempting to make the tuba player pass out.

Key Change: A change in the tonal center of a piece that takes place 3-5 measures after it is written in the music.

Tempo Change: Signal for musicians to ignore the conductor.

Trumpet Player: A person who thinks that every note has 8va written above it.

Trombone: A device that has the same pitch as the baritone, except that it is played with a slide, so it is easier to forget the positions.

Tuba: A compound word; "Hey woman, fetch me another tuba Preparation-H!"

Woodwinds: Proof that God has a sense of humor.

Tuba Suspense

2009-11-13T15:14:00.000-05:00

2009-11-11T12:52:00.002-05:00

The Wagner tuba is a comparatively rare brass instrument that combines elements of both the horn and the tuba. It was originally created for Richard Wagner's operatic cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen. Since then, other composers have written for it, most notably Anton Bruckner, in whose Symphony No. 7 a quartet of them is first heard in the slow movement in memory of Wagner. The euphonium is sometimes used as a substitute when a Wagner tuba cannot be obtained.

The instrument is built with rotary valves which, like those on the horn, are played with the left hand.

The Wagner tuba nominally exists in two sizes, tenor in B-flat and bass in F, with ranges comparable to those of horns in the same pitches while being less adept at the highest notes. Several 20th-century and later manufacturers have, however, combined the two instruments into a double Wagner tuba in B-flat and F. Wagner tubas are normally written as transposing instruments, but the notation used varies considerably and is a common source of confusion—Wagner himself used three different and incompatible notations in the course of the Ring, and all three of these systems (plus some others) have been used by subsequent composers. An additional source of confusion is the fact that the instruments are invariably designated in orchestral scores simply as "tubas", leaving it sometimes unclear as to whether true tubas or Wagner tubas are intended (for example, the two tenor tubas in Janáček's Sinfonietta are sometimes wrongly assumed to be Wagner tubas).

The annoying neighbor...

2009-11-10T09:14:00.004-05:00

Here's a Nissan commercial for all of you who have that annoying neighbor who always gets a better deal than you did!

2009-11-09T11:35:00.002-05:00

A professional musician is facing a mugger with a gun. "Your money or your life!" says the mugger.

"I'm sorry," the poor guy answers, "I am a professional musician, so I have no money and no life."

SWINE FLU PRECAUTIONS...

2009-11-07T07:14:00.002-05:00

Because of the SWINE FLU, we're taking special precautions at our house.

We encourage you do the same.

Stairway to better fitness...

2009-11-06T08:20:00.004-05:00

A musical incentive to use the stairs. Even I would use the stairs, even though it might be a "glissando!"

Change you must believe in...

2009-11-05T08:46:00.002-05:00

As you get older, things change... especially after a beef burrito.

Great rehearsal last night...

2009-11-04T08:44:00.005-05:00

I thoroughly enjoyed the Erie County Wind Ensemble rehearsal last night at the Kenmore West High School.

Good attendance, good music, surrounded by powerful musicians and a very talented conductor. We're rehearsing for our concert on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at Niagara Wheatfield High School in Wheatfield (Saunders Settlement Road).

These late-night rehearsals with a long ride home call for many cups of coffee the next day.

Tuba - Euphonium Conference...

2009-11-02T09:36:00.001-05:00

This is a heads up for 27th Annual Tuba-Euphonium Conference

January 27-30, 2010. The location is at Brucker Hall on Fort Meyer in Arlington, VA. Its run by the Army and is free. You just need to find a place to stay and cover your own meals. The 2010 Brochure is not posted yet but as soon as I see it, I'll notify you.

[Thanks to Ken Foster for the heads-up]

Hard-working politicians...

2009-11-01T08:39:00.004-05:00

Connecticut House Minority Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., R-Norwalk, pictured standing, far right, speaks while colleagues, Rep. Barbara Lambert, D-Milford and Rep. Jack F. Hennessy, D-Bridgeport, play solitaire Monday night as the House convened to vote on a new budget. (AP)

The guy sitting in the row in front of these two... he's on Facebook, and the guy behind Hennessy is checking out the baseball scores. These are the folks that couldn't get the budget out by Oct. 1, Seriously!!!

Tapping in the cemetery...

2009-10-30T08:27:00.005-04:00

My brother and I were walking home after a Halloween party and decided to take a shortcut through the cemetery just for laughs. Right in the middle of the cemetery, we were startled by a tap-tap-tapping noise coming from the misty shadows. Trembling with fear, we found an old man with a hammer and chisel, chipping away at one of the headstones.

"Holy cow, Mister," I said, after catching my breath, "You scared us half to death! We thought you were a ghost! What are you doing working here so late at night?"

"Those fools!" the old man grumbled. "They misspelled my name!"

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Try being a tuba player...

2009-10-29T20:00:00.005-04:00

By Andrew McGinn, Staff Writer
5:00 PM Friday, October 16, 2009
SPRINGFIELD — If you think being blue collar during a recession is tough, try wearing a starched white collar.

Even during good times, classical musicians are about as crazy-desperate for work as Berlioz looking for an opium fix.

“We had 31 applicants and we had inquiries from Spain and Japan,” said Peter Stafford Wilson, music director of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.

Make that 31 applicants for one lonely tuba opening.

The symphony opened its 2009-10 season on Oct. 3 with a new principal tuba player (plus a new principal trombonist), but how it got there is one for the story books.

“There’s only one tuba in an orchestra,” Wilson explained recently, “and when those chairs come open, it’s a rarity.”

So musicians go where the work is — apparently even if it means crossing an ocean.

“They train all their lives to play this classical music, and they don’t get the opportunity to do it nearly enough,” said David Deitrick, the symphony’s executive director.

Still, that’s one heck of a commute for a part-time job.

The SSO isn’t a full-time job — and if it was, Mozart would need to make room in his pauper’s grave for the musicians.

“If they played every service,” Wilson said, “they’d still make less than $3,000.”

Even after the SSO explained that to them, plus informed the overseas applicants that it wouldn’t help with securing visas, they were still interested in auditioning.

“Are these people for real?” Wilson said. “Do they know what they’re getting into?

“You’re flattered to a point, then you think, ‘Wait a minute.’ ”

The SSO ended up auditioning only five regional candidates in September.

Out of those, Thomas Ricer, a Cincinnati native who’s finishing his doctorate at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., was selected as the new principal (well, only) tubist.

What’s even more bizarre about the whole thing is that the SSO only mentioned the opening on its own Web site and on a tuba blog.

“It’s a testimony to the way the Internet is getting the word out,” Wilson said.

It’s also a testimony to the growing reputation of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.

“Sometimes we don’t always appreciate fully what a great thing we have,” Deitrick said. “It’s nice to see that people around the country do appreciate it.”

Two years ago, the SSO advertised nationally for the first time when it had several principal chair openings.

For the principal flute opening alone, 18 flute players from all over (California, Florida, Boston) showed up to audition.

“They were all saying, ‘This orchestra has a good reputation. It’s worth it for me to come here and lose money for a couple of years,’ ” Wilson said. “I’d like to build a little more stability here.”

Still ...

“It’s quite humbling for us,” he said.

The Bombardon...

2009-10-28T08:43:00.002-04:00

The bombardon was the very first bass wind instrument fitted with valves, and it was at first known as the corno basso, clavicor or bass horn (not to be confounded with the bass horn with keys, which on being perfected became the ophicleide). The name was attached more to the position of the wind instruments as bass than to the individual instrument. The original corno basso was a brass instrument of narrow bore with the pistons set horizontally. The valve-ophicleide in F of German make had a wider bore and three vertical pistons, but it was only a "half instrument," measuring about 12 ft. A. Kalkbrenner, in his life of W. Wieprecht (1882), states that in the Jager military bands of Prussia the corno basso (keyed bass horn) was introduced as bass in 1829, and the bombardon (or valve-ophicleide) in 1831; in the Guards these instruments were superseded in 1835 by the bass tuba invented by Wieprecht and J. G. Moritz.

T.U.B.A.

2009-10-27T17:02:00.004-04:00

History of the Tubists Universal Brotherhood Association
by Carter I. Leeka

Tubists Universal Brotherhood Association, though relatively new as a named organization, had its beginnings in New York City in the 1930s, when William Bell joined the NBC Symphony. In an interview with Harvey Phillips, he traced these early years for the author. Phillips stated that with such a great tubist and teacher in their presence, it was only natural for other tubists, both professional and student, to be attracted to Mr. Bell. They met informally at McSorley's Old Ale House, in Manhattan, for beer, food and friendship. Because Mr. Bell was not always available, these meetings were very irregular; sometimes twice a week or more, sometimes not for several weeks at a time.

Seated at a large, round table, the discussions concerned the tuba and how to improve its playing. At the table everyone was an equal, a part of the group. A sense of camaraderie prevailed, where all were no longer teacher or student, but people who had an interest in the tuba.

It was suggested by some members that the group should devise an official name. After much discussion around the table, Mr. Bell rumbled that they should call it the “Royal Order of ----pots” [expletive deleted]. And thus it became, complete with membership cards.1

From the ale house meetings, until his death in August of 1971, Mr. Bell is considered by Mr. Phillips to have been a major force in the organizing of tubists. His death created a tremendous void in the tuba world.2

In 1966, Robert Ryker, principal tubist with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Montreal Brass Quintet, and editor of the Montreal Brass Quintet Series, sent notice to several music publications announcing an attempt to organize an official organization of tubists. He called it the Tubists Universal Brotherhood Association or T.U.B.A. for short. The Conn and Mirafone companies contributed money towards the expenses that would be incurred in mailings and printings. Three tubists were made honorary members of T.U.B.A.: William Bell, Arnold Jacobs and Harvey Phillips.

ophicleide

2009-10-24T13:41:00.003-04:00

The immediate ancestor of the modern-day tuba...the "ophicleide." [Gr.,=serpent with keys], brass wind musical instrument of relatively wide conical bore, largest of the keyed bugles ; invented in 1817 by Jean-Hilaire Asté of Paris. It had from 8 to 11 keys and a full, loud tone; since its intonation was deficient, however, it was soon displaced in the orchestra by the bass tuba. Many composers scored for it before the tuba was available.

[Now you can see why they called it the 'serpent.']

History of the tuba...

2009-10-21T08:59:00.003-04:00

The 'TUBA' is one of the most recent additions to the modern day brass family.
Prussian Patent No. 19 was granted to Wilhelm Friedrich Wieprecht and Carl Moritz on September 12, 1835 for a "basstuba."

About the tuba...

2009-10-20T08:56:00.003-04:00

Did you know...

Tubas are found in various pitches, most commonly in F, Eb, CC, or BBb in "brass band" pitching. I play the BBb Miraphone tuba. The main bore of BBb tubas is approximately 18 feet long, while CC tubas are 16 feet, Eb tubas 13 feet, and F tubas 12 feet in tubing length without adding any valve branches. Tubas are considered to be conical in shape as from their tapered bores, they steadily increase in diameter along their lengths.

*from the 'more than you ever wanted to know' division of Bud's World

Sheridan/Cattaraugus Community Chorus Blog...

2009-10-16T09:54:00.004-04:00

Go to ...

WWW.COMMUNITYCHORUS.BLOGSPOT.COM

Community Chorus Blog site...

2009-10-14T09:24:00.003-04:00

THE SHERIDAN/CATTARAUGUS COMMUNITY CHORUS HAS ITS OWN BLOG.

IT'S WWW.COMMUNITYCHORUS.BLOGSPOT.COM

Benefit Concert...

2009-10-03T07:08:00.004-04:00

I must thank all my friends for working so hard to make last Sunday's Benefit Concert a huge success! We had a good turn out, all the special speakers did an outstanding job, all the behind-the-scenes volunteers worked tirelessly, many supporters supplied gift baskets for the Chinese Auction, all the musicians sounded great...

PLUS we collected over $3,500.00 for the victims of the flooding in Silver Creek and Gowanda.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

As County Executive Greg Edwards said to me after the concert: 'It was like attending 3 outstanding concerts at one sitting!'

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

DVD's of our flood pictures presentation...

2009-09-30T08:19:00.004-04:00

We have DVDs of our flood pictures presentation from the Benefit Concert last Sunday. They are available for a donation.
Checks can be made out to 'Silver Creek Flood Relief' with 'Benefit Concert' written on the memo line.
Contact Bud if you're interested.
(716) 934-7734 ... tubamanbud@gmail.com

WKBW-TV coverage of our Benefit Concert (9/27/09)

2009-09-28T06:57:00.003-04:00

By Sharon Osorio Story Published: Sep 27, 2009 at 11:14 PM EDT Story Updated: Sep 27, 2009 at 11:14 PM EDT

The Dave Golando Big Band, Big Bore Brass and the Silver Creek High School Chorus performed at a concert to benefit flood victims in Silver Creek. The musicians donated their time and talents to thank first responders and the many people who offered their help after Silver Creek and neighboring areas were devastated by floodwaters. Musician Bud Lowery, a Silver Creek resident, organized the event. As the region repairs itself and works its way back to normalcy, the Silver Creek Mayor Kurt G. Lindstrom says one big concern that still remains is clearing debris out the water where Silver Creek and Walnut Creek converge. He's worried that ice jams could become worse this year if the debris remains. So far, the Army Corps of Engineers has said the village will have to hire - and pay - a private company to do the work. Lindstrom continues to look for a solution.

COME TO THE CONCERT!

2009-09-27T07:47:00.004-04:00

TODAY IS THE DAY (9/27/09)...

Come to the Benefit Concert today at 3:00 pm at the Silver Creek Central School Auditorium (1 Dickinson Street in Silver Creek, NY).

Featuring the Dave Golando Big Band, The Sheridan/Cattaraugus Community Choruses with the Silver Creek High School Chorus...and the 16 piece Big Bore Brass Tuba Choir.

Guest speakers include the county executive, the Silver Creek mayor, Gowanda mayor, director of emergency services, Hanover Supervisor and others.

Hundreds of pictures of the flooding in Silver Creek and Gowanda will be shown during the program. A post-concert reception with Chinese Auction follows the concert.

A GREAT CONCERT FOR A GREAT CAUSE!

Are we ready?

2009-09-25T19:54:00.004-04:00

The combined 3 choirs sounded great together during Tuesday evening's rehearsal...The 18 piece Dave Golando Big Band is always ready, and The Big Bore Brass Tuba Choir will include 16 'tubas.'

Confirmed guest speakers include The County Executive, mayor of Silver Creek, Mayor of Gowanda, County Emergency Response Director, Hanover Supervisor, and Dr. Robert Heichberger.

Fire equipment from Silver Creek, Gowanda, and Hanover will be parked out front.

The A/V department from Silver Creek Central School has organized a video presentation from hundreds, if not thousands of pictures.

Doug Metzger from Willowcreek Winery has not only printed hundreds of posters...but has printed 500 programs for our concert. AND Judy @ Hae Jude Signs has printed 4 posters for the music groups.

Julie Szumigala and Kathy Keddie have spent hours in preparation for our post-concert reception and Chinese auction. And that includes hundreds of Petri Cookies.

I'm hoping for a FULL HOUSE! We're as ready as we can be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PS...My dad from Florida will be there. What pressure!
BUT...it's all for the poor victims of the flooding.

Marie Scaglione...

2009-09-23T07:38:00.001-04:00

Marie C. Scaglione, 86, of Dunkirk died Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 22, 2009) at Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pa.

Marie was a member of our Sheridan/Cattaraugus Community Choir. We all enjoyed having her as a part of our ensemble. She was a wonderful lady and we will miss her greatly. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.

From The Buffalo News

2009-09-22T08:01:00.008-04:00

SILVER CREEK
Concert, other activities to aid flood victims
September 21, 2009, 6:58 AM

SILVER CREEK—A benefit concert for the flood victims of Silver Creek and Gowanda will get under way at 3 p. m. Sunday in Silver Creek Central School auditorium.

The Dave Golando Big Band, Big Bore Brass, Sheridan/Cattaraugus Community Choirs and Silver Creek High School Chorus will perform. Cash or checks will be accepted. Checks can be made out to: “The Silver Creek Flood Relief,” with “Benefit Concert” written on the memo line, sponsors said. All of the donations will go to local flood victims.

Emergency responders also will be honored at the event, and there will be hundreds of pictures of the flooding in Silver Creek and Gowanda shown on a big screen during the program.

Benefit Concert article on Page 1 in The Observer

2009-09-21T19:08:00.005-04:00

Benefit concert to raise chorus of support for flood victims
By JOEL CUTHBERT OBSERVER Staff Writer POSTED: September 21, 2009
SILVER CREEK - Soon, our region will ring with the sounds of a community coming together in recovery as area choruses and bands raise their collective voice in a crescendo of support for flood victims.

On Sunday, a benefit concert will be held for flood victims in the villages of Silver Creek and Gowanda, beginning at 3 p.m. in the Silver Creek High School auditorium. Admission to the concert is free, though donations will be gratefully accepted.

Silver Creek Mayor Kurt Lindstrom said the outpouring of support for the village so far has been amazing, adding he's looking forward to the concert.

"It's really been incredible, not just the donations, but where they're coming from, and they're still coming," he said. "... The concert is a really nice thing they're doing."

In the weeks following the Aug. 10 flood, after watching neighbors roll up their sleeves to help one another recover and witnessing the outpouring of support from within the community as well as without, Bud Lowery, director of the Sheridan Community Chorus, was inspired to pitch in the only way he knew how - organizing a benefit concert. Originally planned as a concert hosted by area community choruses, he said the event soon grew to include local bands which wanted to participate and contribute their own particular talents. And just like flood relief efforts up to this point, people will be coming from all over Western New York to play, with one Silver Creek alumnus coming all the way from Baltimore.

Among the groups scheduled to perform next Sunday are a combined choir of the Sheridan and Cattaraugus community choruses, joined by the Silver Creek High School Chorus; Big Bore Brass; and the Dave Golando Big Band.

"The whole thing started as I was sitting for 16 hours without power, feeling sorry for myself, until I found out what everyone else went through," Lowery explained. "... It was just horrible and you felt like you had to do something. I just felt like this was the best way for me to give back."

Lowery couldn't say enough about the cooperative efforts of neighboring residents and communities in spite of the unimaginable trauma they suffered, as well as the compassion and generosity exhibited in the aftermath of the flood. With this in mind, he said the event will focus on the positive aspects of recent weeks - the countless stories of heroics during the storm and the strong sense of community forged in the wake of the flood.

"It's amazing to me to listen to all the stories of people helping each other," Lowery said. "... These people here just rolled up their sleeves and started cleaning."

As a tribute to the perseverance of life after tremendous loss, a slideshow of 400-500 pictures of the flood and subsequent cleanup will be projected on the auditorium walls during the concert.

Expecting a good turnout for the event, Lowery hopes the concert will ultimately have therapeutic as well as financial benefits for area flood victims. It's an opportunity for all residents recovering from the flood to come enjoy free music and take their minds off their troubles, at least for an afternoon.

"Maybe, in a small way, it can be a healing process," he explained. "... They ought to really feel good about themselves and how they've helped each other ... I'm kind of hoping that if we get a good crowd, that everybody will realize what a great area they live in."

Immediately following the concert, a reception and Chinese auction will be held in the high school cafeteria. A number of dignitaries - including Sen. Catharine Young, Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards, Chautauqua County Disaster Coordinator Julius Leone, Lindstrom and Gowanda Mayor Richard Klancer - are also expected to be present throughout the event to offer comfort and words of hope to residents in these two flood-ravaged communities.

Benefit Concert (9/27/09)

2009-09-20T07:54:00.005-04:00

BENEFIT CONCERT for the flood victims of Silver Creek & Gowanda
Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 3:00 pm
Silver Creek Central School Auditorium
1 Dickinson Street - Silver Creek, NY 14136

The plans for our Benefit Concert are coming along nicely.

Performing groups will be...The Dave Golando Big Band, The Big Bore Brass and the combined choruses...Silver Creek High school chorus, Sheridan Community Chorus and Cattaraugus Community Chorus.

The special speakers include: Silver Creek mayor Kurt Lindstrom, Gowanda mayor Richard Klancer, Hanover Supervisor Kathy Tampio, Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards, County emergency response co ordinator Julius Leone and Dr. Robert Heichberger.

Please invite your friends and neighbors to this 'concert for a cause.'
Cash and/or checks will be accepted the day of the concert.
Checks can be made out to: 'Silver Creek Flood Relief.' [Please write 'Benefit Concert' onto the memo line.]
Checks may be mailed to Silver Creek Flood Relief - P.O. Box 1 - Sheridan, NY 14135
100% of the donations will go directly to local flood victims.

With your help...We can help others.

Chorus rehearsal (9/22/09)...

2009-09-19T07:11:00.003-04:00

We will have our one and only chorus rehearsal on Tuesday, September 22 @ 7:00 pm at Silver Creek Central School auditorium.

We will rehearse the 4 pieces we will be performing at the Benefit Concert on Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 3:00 pm at S.C.C.S. The pieces are:

From our patriotic musical 'Our Flag Was Still There'...
'There She Stands,' I Pledge Allegiance Again,' and 'Stars and Stripes.'

And the Silver Creek High School chorus piece: 'Bridge Over Troubled Waters.'
Copies of 'Bridge Over Troubled Waters' is at my house [11786 Hanover Road in Silver Creek - Town of Hanover] in the chest on the front deck. If you get a chance, stop by and pick up a copy to look it over before the concert.

See you Tuesday night.

Bud

Chorus update...

2009-09-18T09:50:00.002-04:00

I have the music: 'Bridge Over Troubled Waters,' which we are going to sing with the Silver Creek High School Chorus at the benefit concert on Sunday, 9/27/09.

We will rehearse it on Tuesday, September 22 @ 7:00 PM during our one and only rehearsal. If you want to pick it up in advance, I will leave copies in the chest on the front deck at our house (11786 Hanover Road - Silver Creek).

We have not yet received the okay to rehearse at the school on 9/22, but please plan on a rehearsal in Silver Creek on Tuesday (9/22).

Reminders...
Please post as many of our 'Benefit Concert' posters as you can.

Invite your friends and neighbors to our 9/27 Benefit Concert. It's a great concert for a great cause.

Please bring a gift basket to be auctioned off at our post-concert reception on 9/27.
And invite others to donate a basket for the auction.

Report time for the participants of the Benefit Concert on 9/27 is 2:00 pm.
Singers should report to the auditorium.
Players should report to the band room.

Thanks to all for your help!
Bud