TromboneLessons.com Video Podcast

Sorry for the delay, my Sewanee friends……but here it is! This brass ensemble concert, ladies and gents, took place on campus at The University of the South in Sewanee, TN, on July 25, 2009. It was the last night of the Sewanee Summer Music Festival 2009, which is a 5-week festival for high school and college musicians. My good friend Mark Babbitt teaches trombone there, and needed someone to fill in for a few weeks this Summer (allegedly so he could perform in the Ring Cycle done by the Seattle Opera………we should do a Podcast about THAT, Mark:-)

I instantly fell in love with the place and the people. (To all the Sewanee Festival ‘bone players: y’all are missed badly already. Thanks for the great hang! I wish you all the very best in your musical adventures; please stay in touch.)

I have mentioned this before, but I really believe that Music students need to get out to these festivals each Summer. At SSMF ‘09, the music-making was exceptional in every way. The faculty, staff, and students were the best! I had a fantastic visit.

The schedule was rigorous for these players, and I can only imagine how tired their chops were when this concert rolled around.(But hey, that’s what Summer festivals are all about: play, play, play, right!?) Still, these talented brass players mustered the physical and mental energy to pull off this spectacular performance in the splendor of All Saints Chapel. Under the baton of Mr. David Brockett (and myself on a few works) and organized by Mr. Eric Bubacz, this was a really fun night of brass music! On the bill are a few classics, a few new arrangements, and a fantastic original composition by Ross Wixon, a trumpet player at the Festival and a 2009 Young Artist award recipient. Ross, it was one of my favorite pieces on the program! I look forward to playing a lot more of your music.

As I say, the students in this ensemble were some of the most studious, talented, and fun people I have had the pleasure of knowing. Their attitudes were terrific. Perhaps that has a small bit to do with their teachers at the festival:

Mark Babbitt inspired the trombones like nobody can. Mr. Brockett, in addition to being the Maestro herein, is the horn teacher par excellence. My good friend, colleague, and fellow Atlantan, Eric Bubacz taught the tuba players. And the inimitable, one-of-a-kind Russ DeVuyst cultivated the sound of this most astounding group of trumpet artists. (I would like to give Congrats to Mr. Logan Anderson and Miss Kyra Sims, who were finalists in the SSMF Solo Competition, just 2 nights before this brass ensemble concert. Logan performed a jaw-dropping Arutunian “Trumpet Concerto” and Kyra sang in a beautifully polished Mozart Horn Concerto. Nicely done, both of you!)

I hope you all enjoy viewing Part 1. More to come in Part 2. To those seen in the video………Bravo! You should be very proud of yourselves and I hope you refer to this video when you need a shot of inspiration. Love you all.

For info about the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, please visit their website:

http://www2.sewanee.edu/ssmf

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***REMINDER: please take a moment to view Episode 132 and contact Mr. Fulton Stone with inquiries/bids. Thanks, all!***

A new project happening in Atlanta, Il Brasso Magnifico is the brainchild of our friend Mark Williamson.

What makes this group unique is the fact that all the literature performed is public domain. Plus, all recordings, performances, and sheet music will be FREE to the general public. Wow! Thanks, Mark:-)

And, let’s be honest…..the guy is a MONSTER E-flat horn player!

Please visit the website and tell your friends:

www.ilbrassomagnifico.org

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***NOTICE; please take a moment to watch Episode 132. There might be an instrument in that collection that is looking for you:-) Plus, we’re very hopeful that those fine instruments find very good homes. You have a chance to make offers before they go to eBay or elsewhere. I would certainly appreciate it if you told your friends and helped spread the word. Thanks!***

Really, this is Part 2 of Part 4 (Episode 131). Make sense:-)

Everybody ready to go back to school!? Here’s to a productive year of musical growth and creation of lifelong friendships!

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I never met Benjamin Fagan, but he sure was a lover of Trombone! At first an accomplished performer, then a collector extraordinaire. In this episode, Benjamin’s nephew (Mr. Fulton Stone) kindly welcomes us all into his home so we can peruse this most amazing collection of vintage trombones. There are 18 in all; some REAL beauties.

More than anything else, I sensed that the estate of Mr. Fagan would be thrilled to have these trombones fall into the hands of appreciative owners. That’s where you come in! If something in this collection piques your interest, please make an offer to Mr. Stone. His email address is:

fultonstone@bellsouth.net

(Of special interest might be a “starter kit” for an eager and deserving beginner. Trombone, mutes, slide cream, spray bottle, stand light, etc. If you have a worthy young player in your life, please inquire with Mr. Stone.)

And, if you knew Benjamin Fagan and have any anecdotes to share with his family, they would be most appreciative. Thanks everybody. Enjoy this. Mr. Fagan was quite obviously a man with a passion for our beloved Trombone. May he rest in eternal peace.

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***NOTICE: please let me know if this format works on your iPods. My apologies for the last few that were “incompatible”. I hear you loud and clear. Sorry……and Thanks!***

More with Lynda herein…..she’s a trooper for doing this, eh? Many, many of you have written to say that you’re enjoying these “lessons with Lynda”. I conveyed your support to her and she says THANKS!

Many of you, too, have questions (really great questions!) about some of the topics we have been discussing. It amazes me how closely some of you pay attention to these. I promise to do my best to address your questions in upcoming episodes. The Numbered Tonguing concept, especially, seems to have struck a chord and has certainly brought forth a deluge of inquiries. One day very soon, I’ll do a thorough and concise explanation for you. I really think the system, however you wish to employ it, will do good things for your music.

Things have been incredibly busy around here, but I hope that you know I appreciate the emails and FaceBook memos. As busy as things may get, I’ll always try to make time for the Podcasts (some very good ones in the editing room as we speak. Honest.)

TROMBONE LOVE to you! Here’s Lynda…………

PS- my Sewanee friends, the video of the Brass Ensemble concert is fabulous. I will post “part 1″ later this week….BRAVO!!!!!

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