Oktubafest III

The third edition of Oktubafest at the International Music Camp was held October 3-5, 2014 at the beautiful International Peace Garden on the Manitoba/North Dakota border. There were approximately 50 tuba and euphonium players in attendance, ranging from high school age through adults. Organizers were pleased that the enrollment nearly doubled from Oktubafest II just a year earlier. Dr. Joseph Skillen from Baton Rouge, LA was the guest artist for the weekend.

The weekend focused on performance, but music making and learning together were the key components of Oktubafest. The camaraderie between low brass players made this a unique event, and the social aspect of sharing stories and German food made this a very successful event. Former IMC Camp Director Tim Wollenzien and University of North Dakota Low Brass Professor Joel Pugh coordinated the event with members of the International Tuba Quartet and the IMC Camp Directors Christine and Tim Baumann.

Joe Skillen performed a recital Friday evening to open the weekend, and his program included Concert Piece for Tuba and Piano by Libby Larsen, Reflections on the Mississippi by Michael Daugherty, and Diversive Elements by David Gillingham, a duet with euphoniumist Joel Pugh. A tuba quartet from University of North Dakota was also on the program. Skillen collaborated on the recital with Keith Teepen, a pianist on the UND faculty.

Master classes and repertoire sessions for tuba and euphonium players took place on Saturday, led by Skillen, Pugh and Devin Otto. A Massed Tuba-Euphonium Choir allowed all musicians to play together and to enjoy the wondrous sounds of an ensemble of 50 within the pristine acoustics of the Burdick Center for the Performing Arts. Low brass repair specialist David Johnson of Fargo, ND presented a repair session and set up a “triage” booth during the weekend. Many participants had specific questions on maintenance for Johnson.

The Massed Tuba-Euphonium Choir performed in concert on Saturday evening, October 4, as well as more music by tubist Joe Skillen. The International Tuba Quartet presented several numbers on the program, including the world premiere of a commissioned composition by Thomas Zugger. Zugger’s Three Portraits was created especially for Oktubafest 2014 in memory of long-time IMC euphonium instructor Harold Brasch. Composer Zugger is on the faculty of Capital University in Columbus, OH, and he made the trip to Oktubafest with his family for the premiere. The International Tuba Quartet is a group of 4 artist teachers who formed the ensemble while serving on the International Music Camp staff, and who reunited to perform and lead Oktubafest. Members are tubists Devin Otto and Karl Ortman, and euphoniumists Pugh and Wollenzien.

Following each evening’s concerts, participants, and artists gathered at the International Peace Garden Interpretive Center where they enjoyed “after hours” music making, German food and other refreshments. Lodging was held on the campus of the International Music Camp, a summer school of fine arts, which has served middle school, high school and adult musicians and artists annually since 1956. The camp is located within the International Peace Garden, situated directly on the international border between Manitoba and North Dakota. The unique location is a draw for thousands of artists and tourists each summer.

The Oktubafest weekend event concluded on Sunday, October 5 with a special Tuba Sunday Morning worship service, and a reading of favorite TubaChristmas tunes in the afternoon.

Plans are in place for Oktubafest IV, to be held September 25-27, 2015. Watch the website http://www.internationalmusiccamp.com for more information as the year progresses.

New Hire: Kelly Thomas

Dr. Kelly Thomas has accepted the position of Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the Universiity of Tennessee-Knoxville.

Upcoming Event: Bobo's Festival of Brass

Bobo's Festival of Brass will be held June 11-14, 2015 at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi. The festival is open to high school, college, pre-professional, and professional brass musicians (trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium and tuba) regardless of proficiency or performing level. The festival will include masterclasses, daily warm-up routines, chamber ensembles, mass ensembles, guest artist recitals, special classes on brass, all under the direction of legendary artist and pedagogue, Roger Bobo. The 2015 festival will culminate in a Gala Concert held on the final day of the session.

Limited dormitory housing plans are available for those participants participating in the festival from outside of the Ellisville area. Housing plans will include a resident meal plan and are offered on a first-come-first-serve basis. Registration information will be up soon, so check back regularly! Registration information will be available at the camp website: www.bobosfestivalofbrass.com. Please e-mail any questions to FestivalOfBrass@gmail.com

New Board Member: Luciano Vaz

Please welcome our newest ITEA board member, Luciano Vaz, who will be representing the South American continent. Luciano is Professor of Tuba at the Conservatory of Tatuí and Principal Tubist of the Tatuí Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Band. He is a highly respected performer and teacher in Brazil, and the ITEA will be looking forward to his work.

Gail Robertson Performs with BSO

Dr. Gail Robertson recently joined tubist Mike Roylance with the Boston Symphony Orchestra to play the Pines of Rome for the opening concert of the season with new music director, Andris Nelsons, on September 27, 2014.

New Hire: Gail Robertson, UCA

Dr. Gail Robertson recently became the Visiting Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Her duties include teaching the tuba and euphonium studio, conducting the Jazz Ensemble II, and playing tuba in the faculty brass quintet, the Pinnacle Brass. Robertson earned her B.A. degree from the University of Central Florida and an M.M. in Euphonium Performance from Indiana University while serving as graduate assistant to Harvey Phillips. She postponed her doctoral studies at the University of Maryland with Dr. Brian Bowman to perform with the “Tubafours” at Walt Disney World, Orlando where she served as musical supervisor/chief arranger and produced a highly acclaimed CD, “Tubas Under the Boardwalk.” She has recently completed her D.M.A. as a University Distinguished Fellow at Michigan State University studying with Phil Sinder, Ava Ordman, and Ricardo Lorenz. She has taught on the faculties of Eastern Michigan University, the University of Central Florida, Bethune-Cookman University, the University of Florida, and remains active as a teacher, adjudicator, composer, arranger and free-lance artist, both nationally and internationally. Robertson is the Chair/Chief Editor of the International Tuba and Euphonium Press, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Leonard Falcone Tuba and Euphonium Festival, the International Tuba and Euphonium Association (ITEA), and the International Women’s Brass Conference (IWBC). Robertson was recently awarded the 2014 Clifford Bevan Award for Excellence in Research for her document, “Restoring the Euphonium’s Legacy as Cello of the Wind Band.” Her original work for brass quintet, Tower Guard Tribute, was awarded honorable mention by the 2014 International Alliance for Women in Music’s Patsy Lu competition. Robertson's duo with Dr. Stacy Baker, SYMBIOSISDUO, will release their second CD, “Playground,” in January 2015. As a Willson Euphonium Artist, Robertson’s euphonium of choice is a Willson 2950TA with a Warburton/Gail Robertson mouthpiece.

Humboldt State University Chamber Music Composition Contest

The Humboldt State University Brass Chamber Music Workshop announces its twelfth annual composition contest. First Prize - $2000; Second Prize - $1000; Third Prize - $500. There are no application fees.

This years contest seeks original, previously unpublished, works for brass octet (3131): 3 trumpets (cornets, flugelhorns), horn (in F), 3 trombones (bass clef), and tuba. Bass trombone and/or euphonium may be used in place of one or more trombones.

All qualifying works will be played and judged by the Workshop coaching staff.

Winners’ works will be performed during the July 2015 Brass Chamber Music Workshop in Arcata, California. Amateur musicians will perform the music in a workshop format. Qualifying submissions will be added to the Workshop Library.

Contest particulars, including submission directions, qualifying guidelines, and tips for successful submissions can be found on the web by visiting http://www.humboldt.edu/brass/compcontest.html

Deadline for submissions is February 1, 2015.

Conference/Symposium on Musical Instrument Making

From November 7-9, the Kloster Michaelstein Foundation will present the 41st Academic Conference and 33rd Symposium on Musical Instrument Making in Blankenburg, Germany. The event will feature the topic "From the Serpent to the Tuba: Development and Use of Low Lip-Vibrated Wind Instruments with Holes and Valves." The artist in residence will be tubist and serpent expert Michel Godard. For more information, visit http://www2.kloster-michaelstein.de/de/news/news_14013.html

ITEA Elections

The time has come once again to hold elections for the position of Vice-President/President-Elect of ITEA. Marty Erickson, our most recently elected Vice- President, will assume the Presidency of the organization on July 1, 2015.

Deanna Swoboda is actively soliciting nominations for this position. If you have an idea of someone within the ITEA community who you believe would do an admirable job of leading the organization, please send her an e-mail nominating that person - deanna.swoboda@asu.edu

Nominations will be open until November 1, 2014. Once nominations have closed, the Nominations Committee will consider the names presented and contact the parties who have been nominated to gage their interest in serving. Once the committee has determined the interest of the nominees, it will present a slate of nominees that will be announced to the membership and voted upon via www.iteaonline.org.

Celebrate Brass! at University of Wisconsin-Madison

From October 8 to 13, the UW-Madison School of Music will present its first major brass festival in 32 years - a six-day exploration of the complex nature of brass music, from the delicate woven chords of trumpets and horns to the swagger and growl of the tuba and trombone.

The event will feature famed Norwegian solo tubist Øystein Baadsvik, the only tuba virtuoso to have carved out a career exclusively as a soloist, rather than becoming a member of an orchestra or accepting a teaching post. Baadsvik will be joined by hornist Jessica Valeri (BM, UW-Madison, 1997) of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra; Michigan’s Western Brass Quintet; UW-Madison’s Wisconsin Brass Quintet; renowned brass composer, trumpeter, and blogger Anthony Plog; and new UW-Madison faculty tubist Tom Curry.

The festival will include four separate concerts and master classes on each of four brass instruments (trumpet, trombone, horn, and tuba) plus a separate class on orchestral auditions with Valeri. There will also be multiple open rehearsals and two colloquium discussions - one with Anthony Plog and one with Oystein Baadsvik.

Celebrate Brass! is organized by UW trumpet professor John Aley, now in his 33rd year at the School. Aley was also involved with the first festival, which took place during his second year at UW-Madison. Aley is also principal trumpet of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Wisconsin Brass Quintet.)

The highlight concert of the week will be “Brass Alchemy,” a ticketed event, Saturday, October 11, at 8 PM in Mills Hall.

“Brass Alchemy” will feature a full contingent of soloists, guests, and students presenting dramatic and inspired works of John Williams, Morten Lauridsen, Juan Colomer, Ennio Morricone, Scott Hiltzik, Kevin Puts, Anthony DiLorenzo, and an original work of Baadsvik’s, Fnugg. School of Music professor Scott Teeple will conduct. Tickets for the general public are $25; UW-Madison music majors with ID are free; all other students (all ages, all schools), $10.00. Ticketing information: http://www.music.wisc.edu/about-us/tickets/

All other events are free. The School of Music thanks the Vilas Trust for its support. Visit http://www.music.wisc.edu/brass-festival/ for more information about the festival.

BASSically BRASS at MS Walk

In May, BASSically BRASS, the euphonium and tuba ensemble at the Unviersity of Wisconsin – Eau Claire provided entertainment for the annual Multiple Sclerosis Walk. The group performed popular favorites prior to the beginning of the walk and sent the walkers off to the strains of Luis Maldonado’s arrangement of The Light Cavalry Overture. There was a large audience, most of whom had never heard a euphonium/tuba ensemble – many new fans were won. BASSically BRASS played in honor of friends and alumni who have multiple sclerosis including Eau Claire resident (and former Tommy Johnson student) Philip Machmeier, Tuba Mom Amy Hellevik, studio alum Lori Knoener, BASSically and special BRASS friends, Marjorie Catania and Lisa Johnson. Events like the MS Walk are a great way to reach out to the community, find new audiences, and support a great cause. If there’s an MS Walk in your area, consider offering the services of your euphonium/tuba ensemble or quartet.

Septura Reaches Top 10 in UK Classical Charts

London-based brass septet Septura's debut CD for Naxos has reached the Top 10 of the UK classical charts and third in the specialist classical charts in its first week of release. The disc - Music for Brass Septet - features transcriptions for brass septet of choral and organ works by Brahms, Bruckner, Mendelssohn, and Schumann.

Septura is embarking upon an unprecedented series of 10 recordings for Naxos over five years. Through transcriptions, arrangements, and original works, each disc explores a different period, genre, and set of composers, asking the question, "what if these works of art had been written for brass?" The series aims to redefine the brass ensemble as a serious artistic medium by creating a canon of classical art-music for brass septet – a "counter-factual history" of brass chamber music.

Septura’s members are the leading players of the new generation of British brass musicians, holding principal positions in the London Symphony, Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, City of Birmingham Symphony, Scottish Opera and Aurora orchestras. The group is currently Ensemble in Residence at the Royal Academy of Music.

The CD is available now in Europe, North America, and Asia and also on iTunes.

For more information, visit www.septura.org

Downbeat Magazine Reviews Bob Stewart's New CD

Downbeat Magazine recently reviewed Bob Stewart's latest CD, Mind the Gap. Read the review here: http://www.downbeat.com/digitaledition/2014/DB1409/single_page_view/66.html

Recording Competition

Co-op Press/Emeritus Recordings is holding a recording competition for the best recording of a composition by composer Sy Brandon with $1000 cash and release of a CD as the prize. The deadline for submission is January 31, 2015. For more information, visit http://www.cooppress.net

Tucci and the Giant Tuba Statue

Look what Bob Tucci came across in the pedestrian zone in Malmö, Sweden!

New Hire: Tormod Flaten

On March 6 and 7 the Norwegian Navy Band, Bergen arranged auditions for the available euphonium position in the band. Tormod Flaten came out as the winner from a strong field of players. There are only five professional military bands in Norway and one euphonium job in each band. Tormod had this to say about the audition: "I am pleased to announce that I won the audition for the highly sought-after euphonium position within the Norwegian Navy Band, Bergen. In my home town of Bergen this particular position hasn't in fact been open since before I was born. So when it finally became available I was happy to be able to perform to my very best and win it.” The Norwegian army bands are widely respected for their quality and are being directed by leading orchestral and band conductors. The duties include large classical concert programs with internal and external soloists, lighter repertoire, CD productions, tours, outdoor concerts in the city as well as military ceremonies and march parades. Tormod also teaches euphonium at the Grieg Academy, University of Bergen and performs worldwide as a euphonium soloist. He is a Besson artist.

UW-Eau Claire University Orchestra Performs Bruckner 7 with Euphoniums

When the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire University Orchestra performed Bruckner’s 7th Symphony on April 13, 2014, there was a new section in the orchestra. As any student of Bruckner knows, the 7th Symphony requires the use of Wagner Tuben in the second and fourth movements. Most colleges and universities don’t own a set of Wagner Tuben, but most do have great euphonium players. Maestro Nobuyoshi Yasuda requested that the euphonium class perform the Wagner Tuben parts, which they did with great success. ITEA members Nathan Rakow, Lauren Little, Matthew Strom, Timothy Caturia, and Andrew Nicholson joined tubist Zachary Tessling in the back row for a great reading of Bruckner. Euphoniumists – if your university orchestra wants to do Wagner or Bruckner works involving Wagner Tuben and you either have no Tuben or not enough hornists to play them if you do, volunteer to fill in the gap. Everyone wins!

Pictured, L-R: Nobuyoshi Yasuda, Tim Caturia, Nathan Rakow, Lauren Little, Matthew Strom, Andrew Nicholson, Jerry Young

Upcoming Event: Mid-West Trombone Euphonium Conference

Dr. Jemmie Robertson is organizing the first annual Mid-West Trombone Euphonium Conference (MTEC) to take place October 31st – November 2nd, 2014 on the campus of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois. MTEC is conceived to promote pedagogy, research, entrepreneurship, composition and performance for our instruments. Featured artists are Brian Bowman (Euphonium), Alex Iles (Trombone), Chris Davis (Bass Trombone), and Yoko Yamada-Selvaggio (Piano) plus we will be joined by many artist colleagues from around the Midwest. Please contact Dr. Robertson at jrobertson@eiu.edu if you and/or your students are interested in performing or presenting at this new conference.

UW-Eau Claire Residency: Dr. Gail Robertson

From March 27-30, 2014, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire hosted Dr. Gail Robertson as part of a special program the College of Arts and Sciences sponsored called "A Year of Inclusivity." This program was part of a year-long project in the Department of Music and Theatre Arts which highlighted the contributions of underrepresented composers and other musicians in the programming and curriculum of the department. The term “underrepresented” has been selected because of its inclusive nature which is open to interpretation, raising such issues as gender, racial or cultural background, and sexual orientation. Exclusionary historic traditions surrounding many types of music are still highly valued today creating a culture in which many individuals are marginalized. The world of Classical music, for example, by its very nature is defined by historic traditions in which the contributions of men have predominated and have been held up as models, and as a result, only a handful of compositions by women have appeared annually on departmental programs among hundreds of compositions by men. A central goal of this project was to increase the number of compositions involving underrepresented composers and musicians in the programming for the Music and Theatre Arts Department 2013-14 Season, and in so doing, raise consciousness of this phenomenon and its ramifications and have a positive impact on future programming. The project involved performances and presentations by faculty, students, and guests.

During Dr. Robertson's residency, she presented sessions on entrepreneurship and arranging, a master class for the low brass students at UW-Eau Claire, and a recital with Dr. Barbara Young (piano) and a rhythm section from the university's award-winning jazz program. Dr. Robertson was very busy throughout her residency, working with students from across the music department and from schools in the Eau Claire area.

Event Review: Eupher's Away

Review by Jonathan Calhoun, B.M.Ed. in Euphonium candidate, Morehead State University

Dr. Robertson and Dr. Louder

The Central Kentucky Concert Band presented a unique concert on May 4th, 2014, titled “Euphers Away,” celebrating the life and times of Dr. Earle Louder at the historic Lexington Opera House in Lexington, Kentucky. The concert featured exciting and stirring musical performances by euphonium soloists Dr. Earle Louder and Dr. Gail Robertson, performing with the Central Kentucky Concert Band under the direction of Dr. Peter LaRue. This extraordinary event was Dr. LaRue’s final concert as music director for the CKCB, which he has directed for the past twenty years.

The development, design, and implementation of “Euphers Away” was a two-year journey that began after a 2012 Central Kentucky Concert Band performance featuring SymbiosisDuo: Dr. Stacy Baker and Dr. Gail Robertson. The esteemed Dr. Louder was in attendance at this concert, and at some point the comment was made “wouldn’t it be great to design a concert dedicated to and honoring Dr. Louder.” Euphonium players are often referred to as “euphers.” Dr. LaRue made a logical connection from Dr. Louder’s service in the United States Navy Band by transforming “Anchors Aweigh” to coin the title “Euphers Away.” In Dr. Louder's words, "A special thanks is due to Dr. LaRue along with Dr. Gail Robertson, my very dear friend and euphonium side-partner with the New Sousa Band, who arranged for this all to happen.'' It truly was such a wonderful evening of entertainment honoring Dr. Louder.

Dr. Earle Louder, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Euphonium and Tuba, Morehead State University, was the featured Soloist of The United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C. for twelve seasons and was the featured Principal and Premiere Soloist with Leonard B. Smith’s Detroit Concert Band for twenty-two years. Dr. Louder’s professional career in The United States Navy Band provided a central theme for the concert’s selections: Philip Sparkes’s Salute to a Hero, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Sea Songs, Herbert L. Clarke’s From the Shores of the Mighty Pacific with soloist Dr. Robertson, Richard Rodgers’ Victory at Sea, and Claude T. Smith’s Eternal Father, Strong to Save, which included a beautiful and highly moving arrangement of the maritime hymn by Dr. Robertson for euphonium quartet performed off-stage by Dr. Earle Louder, Dr. Gail Robertson, P. Eric Bottorff, and Colin Guimond. In Dr. Louder's words, "I felt honored that two of Dr. Robertson’s euphonium students at Eastern Michigan University came all the way down to Kentucky for our concert, and I was so pleased that they were able to join Dr. Robertson and me for the playing of the quartet in the Navy Hymn. What a pleasure that was for me personally."

What a privilege it was to hear such outstanding soloists as Earle Louder and Gail Robertson, knowing this concert was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Each selection that Dr. Louder and Dr. Robertson performed charged the concert with energy and allowed the audience to hear truly amazing euphonium performance. Dr. Louder’s performance of Herman Bellstedt’s Carmen Fantasy stole the show as he brought the music to life with his virtuosity and world-class musicianship. The world premiere of a special duet version by Dr. Gail Robertson of Boccalari’s Fantasia di Concerto performed by Dr. Louder and Dr. Robertson was the climax of the concert for the audience and the many members of Dr. Louder’s family in attendance. Dr. Robertson’s clever and skilled combination of the two euphoniums in this arrangement made this selection a true highlight!

Dr. Louder and Dr. Robertson have performed together in Keith Brion’s New Sousa Band for over nineteen years, and as a result the two euphonium sounds blended together beautifully. The music flowed miraculously, as Dr. Louder and Dr. Robertson expressed the different moods and levels of difficulty that make Fantasia di Concerto famous. The concert concluded with Karl King’s lively march The Melody Shop, as a perfect finale for “Euphers Away.”

“Euphers Away” is a concert that will never be forgotten by those who shared the performance in the intimate setting of the ornately decorated Lexington Opera House built in 1886. What a fitting tribute to Dr. Earle Louder and how special it was to celebrate with so many Morehead State University alumni and so many of Dr. Louder’s family members. As a current student at Morehead State University, Dr. Louder’s legacy is a source of inspiration to me. Knowing Morehead State University was home for a world-class musician like Dr. Louder encourages those that follow to strive to leave their mark as excellent musicians. Dr. Stacy Baker continues Dr. Louder’s tradition at Morehead State University by featuring guest euphonium players like Dr. Gail Robertson and Dr. Neal Corwell.

In Dr. Louder's own words again, "I had so much fun rehearsing the Boccalari Fantasia Di Concerto duet with Gail before we finally met to rehearse with the CKCB. Gail so wonderfully arranged the duet form of this euphonium solo especially for us to perform together. Gail has developed into such a complete all around musician, which was not only evidenced by her composing/arranging skills but also in her performance of the solo From the Shores of the Mighty Pacific as well as the duet. We really did have so much fun performing together."

It was fitting to celebrate the life of Dr. Earle Louder through music, as it has been his life-long devotion. Beyond his musical capabilities his greatest legacy is certainly in the thousands of lives he has touched and inspired around the world with his love and passion for playing and teaching music.

International Women's Brass Conference: Competition Results

The 8th International Women's Brass Conference (IWBC) was held at Northern Kentucky University from June 4-8. Co-hosted by NKU professors Karen Koner and Raquel Rodriguez, the conference featured an inspiring lineup of brass artists and composers who performed and gave lectures throughout the week. Although IWBC focuses on women brass players, the conference welcomes all brass players to be part of this special event. Plans are already being made for the next IWBC - be sure to stay tuned to the website (myiwbc.org) for updates.

An important part of each IWBC is the Susan Slaughter Solo Brass Competition and the Orchestra and Service Band Mock Auditions. The Solo Competition is open to brass performers of any gender and all ages. Soloists may compete in three categories: I (age 18 & under, pre-college); II (age 28 and under); III (age 29 and over). Three prizes are offered in each age category for each instrument at the conclusion of the preliminary round. The first prize winner in each category on each instrument advances to the Grand Prize Final Round. The Mock Auditions are open to all student, amateur, and professional women and men. Participants of any age may compete in the Orchestra and Service Band Mock Auditions. All contestants perform in the Preliminary Round. The judges then determine the number of participants who advance to the Final Round. In an effort to maintain high standards, for both the Solo Competition and Mock Auditions, the judges have the option to not award all of the prizes if they feel the level of performance did not meet their expectations. The tuba and euphonium results of these competitions are listed below.

Susan Slaughter Solo Brass Competition
Preliminary Round
Category II: Euphonium
No 1st or 2nd place awarded
3 David McLemore
Honorable Mention: Blake Birmingham, Alison Miserendino

Category II: Tuba
1 David McLemore
2 Michael Frasier
3 Gretchen Renshaw

Category III: Euphonium
1 Daniel Stull

Grand Prize Final Round
Category II
1 David McLemore (tuba)
2 Catherine Turner (horn)

Category III
No 1st place awarded
2 Daniel Stull (euphonium)


Orchestra and Service Band Mock Auditions
Mock Service Band Winners
No 1st place awarded
2 Robbie Elliot (trumpet)
2 Alison Miserendino (euphonium)

Mock Orchestra Winners
1 Lauren Ewing (trumpet)
2 Michael Frasier (tuba)
No 3rd place awarded
Honorable Mention: Andrew Jones (tuba)

New Hire: Bill Waterman

Bill Waterman will begin a new position at the University of Tennessee at Martin this Fall where he will serve as Director of Athletic Bands and applied tuba/euphonium. In addition to leading the marching and basketball bands he will also conduct the second concert band, teach tuba and euphonium lessons, and perform with the faculty brass quintet. Prior to his appointment at UT-Martin, Bill served on the faculties of the University of Michigan at Flint, the Flint School of Performing Arts, Jackson College, and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. He also served as principal tuba with the Topeka Symphony for nine seasons. He received a bachelors of music degree from the University of Kansas and a masters of music degree from Texas Tech University, and is currently in the final stages of completing his doctorate of musical arts degree from Michigan State University. His primary teachers include: Phil Sinder, Kevin Wass, Scott Watson, and Tom Stein.

New Hire: Dr. Albert Miller

Dr. Albert Miller has recently accepted a position as the Director of Jazz Studies and Instructor of Low Brass at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas. In this position, Albert will oversee all aspects of the Jazz Studies program at KWU and teach all low brass students. He has also accepted a position as a part-time assistant band director at Free State High School in Lawrence, Kansas. In this position he will direct the symphonic band, the jazz band, and assist with the marching band. Albert has made a name for himself by being a professional musician on multiple instruments. Comfortable in jazz, classical, and chamber settings on tuba, euphonium, and trombone, he has had success in competitions and been a guest artist at several universities around the country. Albert recently received the Doctor of Musical Arts in Tuba/Euphonium Performance from the University of Kansas where he studied with renowned pedagogue Scott Watson. Prior to his time at KU, he earned a Master of Music degree from the University of Arkansas and a Bachelor in Music Education degree from Indiana State University. His primary teachers are Scott Watson, Dr. Ben Pierce, and Dr. Alex Lapins.

ITEC Competitions: Results

ITEC 2014 COMPETITION WINNERS

Euphonium Young Artist
1 Alfredo Leitão
2 Max Dobson
3 Nathan Galerstein

Euphonium Artist
1 Chris Leslie
2 Steven Darling
3 Richard Demy

Tuba Young Artist
1 Gergely Lukacs
2 John Paul Powers
3 Matthew Baker

Tuba Artist
1 Jun Miyanishi
2 Takahiro Kim
3 Phil Bloomer

Mock Military Band Audition, Tuba
Winner: James Land
Runner-up: Nick Beltchev

Mock Military Band Audition, Euphonium
Winner: Chris Leslie
Runner-up: Matt Solis

Arnold Jacobs Mock Orchestral Tuba Audition
Winner: Phil Bloomer
Runner-up: James Land
Honorable mention: Nick Beltchev

Chamber Music
1 USC Quartet (University of Southern California)
2 UGA Quartet (University of Georgia)
3 Journey Quartet (Japan)

Rich Matteson Jazz Improvisation 
1 Tyler Giroux
2 Beserat Tafesse
3 Diego Flores

ITEA Awards: Results

2014 ITEA AWARDS
*Winners are denoted by an asterisk*

Harvey G. Phillips Award for Excellence in Composition
Finalist Nominees:

Tuba or Euphonium Featured in Chamber Music
Nathan Daughtrey: Spitfire for Euphonium and marimba/vibraphone
Matthew Murchison: Sadko for Euphonium and Cello
Balee Pongklad: In (out of) Sync for Euphonium, Oboe and Piano
*Justin Raines: Cauterizing the Soul for Tuba and String Quartet

Tuba in a Solo Role
Bruce Broughton: Turbulence for tuba and wind ensemble
Luis Cardoso: Entia Imaginaria II for tuba and piano
*Roberto Pintos: Concierto para tuba y orquesta for tuba and orchestra

Euphonium in a Solo Role
*Nathan Daughtrey: Coming Home for Euphonium and Percussion Quintet
Yo Goto: A War in Wonderland for Solo Euphonium
Tyler Kline: For Those That Wander for Euphonium and Piano

Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble
*Tom Davoren: Pads and Riffs for Ten Tubas with Percussion
Ben McMillan: Evolutions for Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble
Roland Szentpali: Math: Prime Numbers for Tuba-Euphonium Quartet

---

Clifford Bevan Award for Excellence in Research
Finalist Nominees:

*Dr. Gail Robertson: Restoring the Euphonium's Legacy as Cello of the Wind Band
*Volny Hostiou: Le Serpent dit Francais: Aspects Organologiques et Sonores
Laura Potter: Growth Possibilities: Metamorphosis in Vagn Holmboe's Tuba Solos
Dr. Linda Pearse: An Anthology of Seventeenth-Century Italian Motets with Trombone
Dr. Andrew Larson: Investigating "Experimentalism": A Case Study of the Tuba and its Repertoire

---

Roger Bobo Award for Excellence in Recording
Finalist Nominees:

Solo Classical Tuba
Hiroaki Shiomi: Brand New Morning
*Kent Eshelman: Flavors
Sergio Carolino: Surrealistic Discussion
Tom McCaslin: One More Dance

Solo Classical Euphonium
Ben Pierce: Notes from the Underground
*David Bandman: Mendez
Glenn Van Looy: Stories of Life
Steven Mead: Diamonds

Jazz/Rock/Fusion/Commercial Tuba or Euphonium
Bill Muter: Off Script
*RTB Crew: Meet the Beat

Chamber Music/Large
Eufonix: Brink
*Mr. SC and the Wild Bones Gang: Sergio Carolino Presents Mr. SC and the Wild Bones Gang
Nick Etheridge: Diversity
Tubas Unlimited: Magic Tubas

---

Jim and Jamie Self Creative Award
Nominees:

David Bandman: "Mendez": Solo CD Project
Dr. Andrew Larson: Tuba and Theremin Project: The Walabuht Collective: Dr. Andy
Larson, Tuba and Aaron Wold, Theremin Owner
*Kristoffer Lo: : Ryvingen Lighthouse Recording Project

---

Lifetime Achievement Awards
Paul Droste
Presented by Pat Stuckemeyer

Warren Deck
Presented by Kathy Brantigan

Michael Lind
Presented by R. Winston Morris

Rudolf Meinl, Sr.
Presented by Rex Martin

Harold Brasch
Presented by William Winkle

Mälmo Opera Orchestra: Antonio Neilley-Menéndez de Llano

Tubist Antonio Neilley-Menéndez de Llano has passed his one-year trial with the Mälmo Opera Orchestra in Sweden. Born in Sydney, Australia of Australian and Spanish heritage, de Llano completed a Bachelor of Music Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he studied with the Sydney Symphony's Steve Rossé. He continued his training in Switzerland, where he pursued a Masters in Music Performance (Orchestral and Jazz) with Anne Jelle Visser of the Zürcher Oper. Previous accolades include being a finalist at the 2010 Jeju (South Korea) Brass Competition and winning the Principal Tuba position with the Australian Youth Orchestra from 2005 to 2007. De Llano has played with many of Australia and New Zealand's symphony and opera orchestras and for the last two years has been a regular substitute in Switzerland with the Zurich Opera and the St. Gallen Symphony Orchestra.