TromboneLessons.com Video Podcast

***Wow, three episodes in 1 week! Um, hope this hasn’t filled up the hard drive or caused a crash. But I’ll probably need to take a few weeks off now:-)***

I am very pleased to introduce my friend Dr. David Cutler to you, ladies and gentlemen. I think the world of him. He’s an extremely talented musician, and as it happens a gifted entrepreneur. This interview seems so timely. I have been having a lot of discussions with students, peers, and parents about making a career as a freelance musician.

Like David, I am an optimist. I believe that there has never been a better time to be a freelance musician. But I also know that most traditional educational tracts are not adequately preparing students. They have a job to do in making you the best performer you can be. The curriculum simply doesn’t have enough room for addressing some other issues related to being your own boss. His book addresses these issues. The accompanying website is great. He already has accumulated a wealth of resources, and it’s only going to grow. Please check it out and start thinking with fresh new ideas and a newly energized spirit. The world needs your music and is willing to pay for it. You’re going to need to be smart about running your business, though. As we discuss in the interview, the work you do will be largely of your creation. That’s the best part of being an entrepreneur, truly!

I hope you enjoy meeting David and take to heart some of the very good advice he shares herein. Then, you might consider visiting his website and buying his book. Being armed with knowledge and a variety of perspectives is a good way to be…..

www.savvymusician.com

You can live your dreams. You really can.

Peace:-)

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***NOTICE: This episode comes right on the heels of Episode #139. Please don’t forget to watch that one, too, OK? Thanks.***

Recent flooding and heartbreaking devastation inspired some of the Southeast’s finest musicians to host a benefit concert in Powder Springs, GA. In this episode, see some clips from the concert and learn how you can help.

Please visit the website for a list of our generous sponsors and the musicians that donated their time and talent to help their neighbors. Thanks to everyone that participated!

www.floodoffriendship.org

To learn more about the fabulous Joe Gransden (who promises to come do an interview with us soon:-), please visit:

joegransden.com

And if you think Wes can’t play any higher, go watch:

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

Thanks, your support is much appreciated…….order a T-shirt and wear it with pride, eh? All proceeds go to those who need it most. If you prefer, I am accepting donations through my PayPal account, too (tom@trombonelessons.com). All donations to “Flood of Friendship” will be given to Salvation Army and/or CAMP Sweetwater.

Peace. Please remember to keep the victims of the flood in your thoughts and prayers.

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A few highlights from our recent recital! This was our inaugural performance and the first of many more, we hope. Eric, Jay, and I are new to the faculty at Mercer. Jonathan has been teaching trumpet there for a few years, and Doug is the Director of Instrumental Ensembles. We are currently on a REAL recruiting push, so if you are interested in learning more, please visit the website:

music.mercer.edu

The campus is absolutely beautiful, in downtown Macon, GA. Wonderful architecture, peaceful, academic excellence….a wonderful place. It’s also quite close to Atlanta (about 70 miles). A new string conservatory and a new administration are launching this school into a new phase of excellence. As you can see, the brass faculty is superb. These are great players and good guys! I am proud to be a part of it. My goal is to have a conservatory vibe in my studio….now I need to recruit a few terrific students:-)

Graduates and Undergraduates: scholarships and assistantships are available to well-qualified students. Check us out and let me know if you have questions, OK?

***NOTICE: There is a deadline for Graduate Assistantship applications of January 19, 2010***

Thanks! Enjoy the recital……..

PS- Thanks for the email, Seth. Of course I should have put up more program info. My bad. Here is what you hear:

“This Old Man- March” by Robert Nagel

“Beale St. Blues” by W.C. Handy, arranged by Luther Henderson

“Contrapunctus I from the Art of Fugue” by J.S. Bach, arranged by Robert King

“Threepenny Opera Suite” by Kurt Weill, arranged by Karl Kramer

1) Overture

2) The Moritat of Mack the Knife

3) The Instead-of Song

4) Cannon-Song

“Dance” by Wilke Renwick

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