TromboneLessons.com Video Podcast

Wes Funderburk, of FUNDERBONE.COM fame, visited the other day. We decided to goof around on some duets, because I guess we’re geeks. We played from these 2 awesome books. Every ‘bone player should own them:

Vaclav Nelhybel: Interplays Published by: J. Christopher Music Company

Ten Duets For Tenor Trombone - Pederson Published by:Kendor Music (www.kendormusic.com)

We hope you have half as much fun watching as we did playing:-)

It’s the most stressful time of year for musicians, we hope you’re keeping your cool and enjoying every opportunity to play….I guess we can all breathe a heavy sigh after the New Year, eh? Peace, everybody, and Happy Holidays!

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It’s been my pleasure this week to work with the wonderful organist, Donald Sutherland. He is the Coordinator of the Organ Department at Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. He has many recordings to his credit and has enjoyed a celebrated career as a recitalist, church organist, and teacher. Please read more about him here: http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/484

Donald was invited to perform in recital at Morningside Presbyterian Church here in Atlanta. The church is celebrating the restoration of their powerful, beautiful organ. Our good friend (and Tubist with the Georgia Brass Band!), Robert Coulter, headed up the restoration and did a terrific job. Congrats Robert! Read more about Robert here: http://coulterorgans.com/

On the recital program was the “Stabat Mater” adapted by Franz Liszt from a work by Rossini. It is for Trombone and Organ.

Some of you probably know the story of the Stabat Mater (”sorrowful Mother”). The music tries to evoke the emotions of Mary as she watched Jesus suffer on the Cross. For more info, and a translation of the text, you can follow this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stabat_Mater

We hope you enjoy our rehearsal/performance of the “Cujus animam (Rossini - Stabat Mater) for Trombone and Organ” by Franz Liszt (1811-1886).

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***PARENTAL WARNING: The “F” word makes an appearance in this episode. It is barely audible and flies by, but you should be aware that it’s here. No, it wasn’t from my lips***

In this Episode:

1) I send a big “THANK YOU!” to North Hills High School, my Alma Mater and still the best band in the land. THE BEST. David, thanks! Areta, I love you. On behalf of all present and former students, thanks for sticking it out for so many years and with such passion. We hope your impending retirement is filled with fun! To Paul, thanks for the uplifting talk and the great company. It was very good to see you after too many years.

2) I send another big “THANK YOU!” to Dr. Brian Meixner and all the fun people at Slippery Rock University (http://academics.sru.edu/music/index.html). Trombone Day at The Rock was a wonderful event! We’ll soon have an Episode with some highlights for you. Suffice it to say that the people, the campus, and the sounds were all of the highest order. Thanks so much Brian.

3) I eat a big dose of humble pie served up by “joe”. Um…….thanks, joe:-)

4) I think out loud with the talented musicians of the GYSO Brass Band.

Comments are welcome. If you have a different take on the matter and/or some expertise to share, we sure would love to hear it. If you’re bored enough to watch this entire Episode, perhaps you’re bored enough to send your comments to:

tom@trombonelessons.com

PS- As Thanksgiving approaches for those of us in the United States, I know that this year I am thankful for many, many things. Family, friends, health, memories, dreams, the gift of Music……..and these Podcasts. To all of you, thanks! Bryce and Ella have a Holiday Greeting for the viewers of the Podcast. Happy Holidays everyone everywhere:

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9509924750

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Here is Part 1 of the “LIVE (almost) Recital” series that Colin and I will be doing over the next few weeks. Part 1 features the “Sonata for Trombone and Piano” by Misha Stefanuk (www.stefanuk.com)

Mr. Stefanuk joins me on piano and gives a brief introduction of himself and his fascinating piece. We had only one hour to get something together for you, but I felt compelled to do so. Trombone Love. It does that. We really hope you like this piece. I had to make a few rough edits but this is essentially LIVE, as we just finished a couple hours ago.

We filmed in the sanctuary at Johnson’s Ferry Baptist Church and we thank them for their hospitality. Look for Part 2 very soon (we all anxiously await Colin’s renditions of the Tomasi “Concerto” and Peaslee’s “Arrows of Time”, don’t we? Yeah, baby.)

Peace, everyone. I’m off tomorrow to Slippery Rock University for Trombone Day! I’ll also be paying a visit to my Alma Mater, North Hills High School in Pittsburgh. Looking forward to it, as I haven’t seen the place in almost 20 years. Time really flies, we are wise to make the most of it, eh? Hope to meet some of you on the road….

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“Wow, Dr.Tom, two awesome Episodes posted within 3 days! You are too kind!”

Well, it’s the least I could do……because it looks like the LIVE recital scheduled for Nov. 12 will necessarily be postponed. Sorry, but coordinating everybody’s busy schedule is proving most difficult. Besides, you know who’s too kind? Nick in Wisconsin is too kind. Your letter, Nick, was one of the nicest things I’ve ever read. We wish you the very, very best as you pursue your dreams and share your talents with the world, making it a better place for all. If there is ever anything we can do to help, never hesitate to ask, OK? We dedicate this Episode to you, sir. Hope you love it.

So, as for the recital…..we’ll get ‘er done just as soon as possible. In the meantime, please enjoy this Episode. Joining Colin in this impressive performance are Catherine Lynn, Helen Kim, and Brad Ritchie. Like the Persichetti Episode (#31), these fabulous musicians give us a glimpse into the fine art of Chamber Music for trombone. If you’ve attempted to perform on trombone with string players in a chamber setting, then you will surely appreciate the musical sensitivity, dexterity, lightness, transparency, and awareness shown by Colin in this video. I marvel at it every time I watch. It is very refreshing at times to hear a trombone in this context. In the hands of a master artist, ours really is the greatest of instruments, isn’t it?

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Here are the Trios as referred to in our interview with Mark Williamson (Episode 59). We really hope you enjoy them!

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Our friend Mark Williamson is the esteemed guest on this Episode. You hear him in the opening credits of every Episode playing on “Tom’s Bag O Bones” with me and Wes Funderburk.

Mark is one talented fellow……a former Euphonium player with the US Air Force Band in Washington, DC, he is now a law partner at Alston&Bird here in Atlanta. He also makes great music on piano, trombone (all styles, including tasty jazz), and E-flat alto Horn. He is the Principal Horn player for the Georgia Brass Band.

For this year’s talent show at the law firm (all to benefit the charities of United Way), Mark arranged and wrote some trios for brass with added percussion. Joining him in this performance clip are Tom Hooten (trumpet), Stuart Gerber (percussion) and Colin Williams (trombone).

After viewing this Episode and hearing what Mark has to say about these pieces, we invite you to download them in PDF format for your enjoyment! Just our little way of saying THANKS EVERYBODY!

Hope you enjoy meeting Mark……..

Peace:-)

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