But yeah, the workshop: what a treat! I was always busy listening to great horn players or horn ensemble or great presentations. I can see why everyone in the horn work is a rave about Denise Tryon (a.k.a. Dee Tee). She's not only a brilliant player (and the best low range player I've ever heard), but when I observed her masterclass she was just so down to earth and simple and observant. I could really relate to hear teaching style, and some of the stuff she said are things that I say...so that reinforcement from someone that high up in the music world is comforting. I also really enjoyed the playing of Andrew Pellitier, though I didn't get to hear him teach. I also got to hear Jeff Scott talk about his career as a freelancer in New York followed by being a part of the Imani Winds...it was really incredible hearing that. Again, he said some things that I related to, so that was reassuring.
The CWU Horn Ensemble is incredible right now. I was very, very impressed by them. All the players are dialed in 100%...if they had a weak link, there's no possible way you could tell. They were so refined in their ensemble fundamentals, too...not only being in tune, but being balanced and articulating the same way and matching note lengths and breathing together. And their loud playing...it was so uniform, and every player played loud and powerfully when the music called for it. I must admit, I was quite jealous. I was also pretty impressed by the Montana State University horn ensemble. They weren't quite as refined as CWU, but they were still veery good. They have a good thing going over there.
I got involved with the workshop teaching, too. I led a group warm-up, which was really great. I showed them stuff I do with my students, like the Teuber book and my scale book. I just felt the whole thing went smoothly. I also did my presentation on making a living off of lesson teaching, which went well, but I ran out of time before I could say everything, which was a real bummer to me. I really wish I had had the chance to practice my presentation at home to measure the time, but I really didn't at all...arg, oh well. Now I know that it must happen if I ever do it again.
Oh, yes I also came away with a new horn. Here it is:
Also, I had a couple students attend this workshop, and I'm so happy for them that they got to experience this awesome event. There was a moment when I was eating lunch with a current student, a former student from South Whidbey, a former student from the Tri-Cities, and a CWU student I knew through another former student from Coupeville. It was a pretty special moment...and the food I ate was good.
I'm already looking forward to next year's symposium. I want to prepare something to play at the regional artists recital this time. I also want to bring some more horn students if I can. I'm just hoping it's on the west side of Washington this year...
In other news, we learned last week that the Penn Cove Brass will be attending the State Solo & Ensemble Competition, yet again! We were the runners up to the Anacortes Brass Ensemble at our regional event earlier this year, so luckily we filled in a gap that another region left without a representative in the "Large Brass Ensemble" category. I had a meeting with my group last night, and they are motivated and ready to go! They really want to do well at this thing, not only to defeat Anacortes but also to just win. We already had 3 regular rehearsals scheduled, but they added 7 more rehearsals to their calendar. And I gave them a new piece to play, which they really like (it's kind of a surprise, so I won't tell you yet). But yes, with them and my trumpet and horn soloists, this is going to be a really fun month preparing them for State...and we're heading back to CWU once again!
Take care and value music.