Tapping in the cemetery...

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...

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...

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.

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

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...

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...

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...

Go to ...




WWW.COMMUNITYCHORUS.BLOGSPOT.COM

Community Chorus Blog site...

THE SHERIDAN/CATTARAUGUS COMMUNITY CHORUS HAS ITS OWN BLOG.



IT'S WWW.COMMUNITYCHORUS.BLOGSPOT.COM

Benefit Concert...

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...

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)

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!

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?

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...

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

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

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)

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)...

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...

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