Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from Collegium Tubum, the University of Iowa Tuba Euphonium Ensemble. Today’s “Spooky Tubas” concert was held at Lemme Elementary School in Iowa City.

Trumpet Search

I am pleased to announce the following job description advertising our current search for a new Professor of Trumpet. My friend and colleague, and gem of a guy, David Greenhoe is retiring after years of dedicated service. I am a member of the search committee and would like to help get the word out. Filling David’s shoes will be a daunting task, but we look forward to reviewing the submissions of all qualified candidates.

Here is the advertisement:

The University of Iowa
School of Music
Notice of Faculty Position
Assistant Professor of Trumpet

Appointment begins: August 2009

Rank: Assistant Professor, Tenure-track

Salary: Commensurate

Responsibilities: Primary responsibilities for the position include private teaching, mentoring and advising undergraduate and graduate trumpet students, and recruiting trumpet students.  Additional duties will include performing with the Iowa Brass Quintet, coaching chamber ensembles, teaching courses in the brass curriculum, serving on recital, thesis and graduate exam committees, and participating in School of Music and university committees.  It is also expected that the candidate be an outstanding performer and maintain an active performance schedule both on and off campus.  Preference will be given to applicants who have already established a national and international reputation as a performer and teacher.

Qualifications:
Basic:   Master’s degree required.  Evidence of outstanding performance ability as a trumpet player, and record of significant professional performing experience and successful studio teaching are required.

Desirable:  Doctorate or equivalent professional experience and college/university level teaching preferred.

Application: You must submit your application online.  To apply for this position go to http://jobs.uiowa.edu and refer to requisition #56242.

Additional materials requested.  Send a CD recording that includes some unedited, live performances.  Applicants are encouraged to include on their recording not only selected examples of their core solo repertoire, but also (if desired) representative examples of other areas of musical expertise or interest, including, for example, jazz, early music, or new music.  CD Recording should be sent to:  Trumpet Search Committee, 107A Lindquist Center, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242

Deadline: Review of materials received will begin December 1, 2008 and continue until position is filled.

The University of Iowa has a historic commitment to the arts.  The School of Music enrolls approximately 500 majors and has a full-time faculty of 50.  Voxman Music Building which normally houses the School of Music, was built in 1970 and contains a 200-seat recital hall, a 700-seat recital hall, a 2600-seat auditorium, and the Rita Benton Music Library.  However, due to the 500 year flood of June 2008, music facilities are temporarily relocated.  The Iowa City/Coralville area includes a population of about 75,000.  Cultural demands are high and the atmosphere is cosmopolitan.  Public schools, libraries, and health care facilities are rated as outstanding.

The Department and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are strongly committed to gender and ethnic diversity; the strategic plans of the University, College and Department reflect this commitment. Women and members of underrepresented minorities are especially encouraged to apply. The University of Iowa is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

Guest Artist: David Kassler

Our Oktubafest 2008 has started off well. On Sunday, we performed a concert at the Amana Colonies Oktoberfest. Chris did a great job preparing and conducting Collegium Tubum, and the Festhalle Barn sounded great.

This week we also enjoyed a visit from euphonium artist and Iowa alum, Dr. David Kassler. On Monday, he performed a wonderful recital at the Buchanon auditorium in the Pappajohn Business Building. The recital was excellent, and we had an unusually large audience, mostly due to the fact that there are fewer concerts for recital attendance students to go to. It was the first time we heard a concert in this large lecture hall, and although it was a little dead, it’s not a bad room for a recital. I had the pleasure of joining Dr. Kassler for the Stevens Suite for Two, the rest of the program included: Barat Introduction and Dance, Galliard Sonata No. 5, OctoNervosa Beta by Timothy Crowley, Boaccalari Fantasia di Concerto, and Schumann’s Five Pieces in Folk Style

Tuesday, Dr. Kassler joined us at Zion church for a masterclass. Freshmen Steve Neilssen and Melissa Reiff, and Senior Pat Bigsby performed and got some great advice. I took a few notes, and here are some of the highlights:

• He suggested to Steve to try to “radiate your sound from your entire horn, not just out of your bell”
• Recommended that euphoniums, who also play trombone, to play Rochut etudes on trombone without articulating, then switch to euphonium and do the same – only changing notes with the valves.
• As I do, he recommended playing Rochut/Bordogni in three octaves, or for euphonium, putting them in tenor clef instead of an actave higher.
• Instead of the phrase “avoid bearing down as you play”, I like how he suggested to “avoid using the cough muscles”
• To Pat, he asked “Will you invite me more, as a listener, into what you are doing musically?
• Recalling a suggestion from a Russian conductor, he reminded us to “play with more hunger”
• Finally, a metaphorical image: “Sometimes, when a teacher asks you to adjust something, the pendulum swings too far the other way, then finally centers on exactly what you are looking for”

We all learned a lot and enjoyed Dr. Kassler’s visit, and wish him well.