Final Project – Fall 2009

Each semester, our studio completes a final project. Intended as a semester-long endeavor, the final project varies each semester, but is intended to help you learn beyond applied lessons and ensemble experience. This semester, I have chosen to focus on literature on music and the brain. I have selected a number of highly recommended books on the subject and compiled an Amazon wish list here.

I got the idea while shopping at the Boston University bookstore this summer, when I purchased The Mastery of Music: Ten Pathways to True Artistry by Barry Green. Kind of like a book club, I wanted the studio to spend a semester reading, discussing, and applying the concepts within the best literature regarding the relationship between intellect and musicianship.

Here are the complete details of the assignment:

University of Iowa Tuba-Euphonium Studio
Final Project – Fall 2009

• Read book at your own pace, but complete it by October 29th.
• Write down useful quotations and concepts
• Use quotations and concepts in Seminar class
• Apply concepts in your own practice, performing, lessons
• Prepare a five-minute oral book report to present at the final Seminar meeting; which should include a summary, observations and review.

Peruse all of the texts and by next week, be ready to express your choices in order of preference. The order of the random drawn lots was:

1. Steve
2. Michael
3. Blaine
4. Tucker
5. Devin
6. Pat
7. Justin
8. Dana
9. Kristina
10. Ben A.
11. Ben R.
12. Karina

• At the beginning of Seminar next week (Thursday, September 3rd), book selections will be made in the order above. I would suggest ranking your books, and rank as many as your lot number. [If you drew number 12, be sure to rank your top 12 books since you will choose last)

• Everyone must acquire (purchase, borrow, or sign out) their books by the next by September 10th.

• Blaine and I will inform you of which books are available through the University of Iowa Library, the Iowa City Public Library, or the Coralville Public Library.

• You must complete the book by October 29th (7 weeks), and make weekly notes and quotations to use when making your comments in seminar.

• The complete list of books maybe be found at the following link: http://amzn.com/w/Y1ES1P62F0DH

Welcome class of 2013

Today the Iowa Brass Quintet played for a welcome convocation for the thousands of incoming freshman at the University of Iowa.We only played a short processional and stayed long enough to snap a few photos. One of the messages at this renewed tradition was that of the “Iowa Challenge”. The Iowa Challenge, “expresses important principles that help students succeed in the classroom and beyond. It establishes what The University of Iowa expects from its students, and what students should expect from themselves and each other. In essence, it’s a mission statement for UI students.” The challenge lists five key goals: excel, stretch, engage, choose, and serve.

Excel. Academic excellence means setting and meeting high standards for yourself as a student. Faculty, staff and other students will ask you to work hard and push yourself intellectually. We expect a lot of you; you should expect only the best from yourself and the University.

Stretch. At Iowa, you will find diversity of people, ideas, opportunities, and experiences. That diversity is one of the benefits of being an Iowa student. Step away from the familiar, try new ideas, experience new cultures, and learn from people different from yourself.

Engage. You will be a more successful student and enjoy yourself more if you spend your time and energy on activities that matter. The University of Iowa offers almost limitless opportunities and the resources to help you become a leader in and out of the classroom. Take advantage of them.

Choose. Every day you make decisions that affect your education and your future. Take your choices seriously and use your freedom wisely. Your Iowa education is what you make it. Make it something you and your university can be proud of.

Serve. As an Iowa student, you are a member of many communities, on and off the campus. You have the opportunity and responsibility to be a good neighbor and citizen and to serve the community. Make your community a great place to live.

Here is a link to a slideshow of the convocation.

Abe Torchinsky 1920-2009

Abe Tochinsky, former principal tuba with Philadelphia Orchestra and the NBC Symphony, passed away this morning at the age of 89. Mr. Torchinsky was a giant in the world of the tuba, and he has had unmeasurable influence on generations of tuba players. He will be missed. This biography is from WindSong press:

Abe Torchinsky, a native of Philadelphia began playing tuba in a Boy Scout band.  In 1935 he began taking lessons with a young student at the Curtis Institute named Arnold Jacobs.  By the time he was in high school, he was performing professionally on tuba and bass, even playing with Isham Jones Orchestra.  He enrolled at Curtis in 1940 and studied with Philip Donatelli, the tubist of the Philadelphia Orchestra until the wind department at the Institute was shut down at the beginning of World War II.  Mr. Torchinsky played in the Southern Symphony Orchestra and with the National Symphony Orchestra for one season (1942-1943).  He then moved to New York City for concentrated study with William J. Bell.  He performed in the original cast productions of Billy Rose’s Seven Lively Arts, and Rogers and Hammerstein’s Carousel and Allegro, and was in the cast of the movie Carnegie Hall.  He performed with the Cities Service Band of America under Paul LaSalle, and the NBC Symphony with Arturo Toscanini (1946-1949).  Torchinsky joined the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1949, and served as principal tuba until 1972.  Mr. Torchinsky and trombonist Henry Charles Smith hosted a radio program about the orchestra.  After retiring from the Philadelphia Orchestra, Torchinsky became a member of the faculty of the University of Michigan (1972-1989).  A Philadelphia Brass Ensemble recording, The Glorious Sound of Brass earned a Grammy in 1967.  The Philadelphia Brass Ensemble’s recording of the Antiphonal Music of Gabrieli with the Chicago and Cleveland Brass Ensembles won a Grammy in 1969.  The Philadelphia Brass Ensemble as soloists were also nominated in 1976 for a two album set of Hindemith’s sonatas for brass instruments with pianist Glenn Gould.  A less-familiar, early recording called Catch the Brass Ring by the Philadelphia Brass Ensemble, masquerading as the “Torchy Jones Quintet” had the distinction of being pulled from distribution by Columbia after Eugene Ormandy objected to orchestra members making a “jazz” recording.  His scholarly efforts in publishing full parts to orchestral works were an innovation and a vast improvement for students over previously available excerpt books.

One Year After

Our last Holiday Tubas concert made the top of the December news in the “Year In Review” portion of the University of Iowa Annual report. Also worth viewing are the slideshows at One Year After, which feature the voices and images of University of Iowa students, faculty and staff speaking about how they dealt with the devastating flood of June 2008.

Carol Jantsch Rap

Carol Jantsch, principal tubist with the Philidelphia Orchestra, is featured in a rap called “Buy Carol’s CD” on Steve TV. To view it, go to the Peterson Project and click on “Buy Carol’s CD”, which is a hilarious rap parody to promote her new recording Cascades. Be sure to check out Carol’s website here.

Tuba Exchange

Here is a profile and slide show from Indy Week on the Tuba Exchange. Located in Durham, North Carolina and run by Vince Simonetti and his wife. The Tuba Exchange website features new and used instruments, including a historic collection, and advice on choosing an instrument.

Bad Tuba Poetry

From the “Tuba Lady“, at Interact Jacksonville.com comes this post on her blog about a tuba poem she wrote when she was young. Her self-criticism is in parentheses:

My tuba, my tuba, I really love my tuba (gosh, that’s such an original way to start)

It came with me from Florida, I’d take it to Aruba (well, I guess I didn’t want to go to Cuba)

It’s big and shiny and really, kinda heavy (true, albeit a stupid line)

I think they musta made it out of a ‘57 Chevy! (not even close to clever)

I’ve had it since I was a girl of just eleven (I might have been 13, but I needed 11 for the next line’s rhyme)

Do you think God will let me bring it all the way to heaven? (I did mention it was a church talent show)

Mom and Dad found it in a little music store (true)

They paid $300, but I would have paid much more (not true, I didn’t have any money then)

It had dents and scratches, but played a tune just fine (it was me that was bad, not the equipment)

From the minute that I saw it, I knew it would be mine (I don’t think I saw it until they bought it and it was no return, no exchange, so we had to keep it)

I’ve played it in churches, I’ve played it in bars (luckily not at the same time)

I’m sure my neighbors wish, I’d only play it on Mars (this is so sad)

I’ve played it for money and I’ve played it for free (you can guess which one happens more often)

I’ve played it for others, but mostly just for me (obviously)

I’ve played concerts and solos, in and out of doors (noise ordinances be darned)

I’ve played it in competitions and received the judge’s scores (sympathy more like)

It’s made from silver and some other nickel ore (it could be lead, that would explain the brain damage that occurred before I wrote this)

I’d give more detailed info, but I don’t know any more (heard of the internet?)

It just plays oompah, oompah to the really untrained ear (is that how you spell oompah and shouldn’t I know?)

But to me it plays beautiful sounds that I really love to hear (I can’t hear anything when I play, it’s too loud)

I’ve played the clarinet, the flute and saxophone, (none of these are any better)

I’ve played bagpipes and cello, and the slide trombone (you haven’t heard anything yet)

None can compare to the joy, that I often receive (solitary joy, everybody else leaves the room)

from all my tuba playing, a gift from God I believe (give thanks, always – that I don’t live in your neighborhood)