New Hire: Chance Trottman-Huiet, Fort Wayne Philharmonic

Chance Trottman-Huiet recently won the position of Principal Tuba with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. Chance will begin playing with the orchestra in January 2017. His duties include performing in the orchestra as well as educational and outreach performances with the Philharmonic Brass Quintet. Chance grew up in Berthoud, Colorado and started playing euphonium when he was 10. He picked up the bass at 12, and nudged by the encouragement of the Berthoud High School band director, he finally began playing tuba at age 14. Chance received a B.M. from DePauw University and an M.M. from Western Michigan University, and he is currently pursuing a D.M.A. at Michigan State University. He teaches tuba and euphonium at Kellogg Community College, Kalamazoo College, and Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. His primary teachers, who deserve much gratitude, include Orcenith Smith, Jacob Cameron, and Philip Sinder.

Call for Proposals – 2018 ITEA Super Regionals

The International Tuba Euphonium Association is committed to supporting regional tuba/euphonium festivals and conferences throughout the world. With such support in mind, funds and additional assistance are available for tuba and euphonium festivals outside the United States. Proposals for new events are encouraged.

TIMELINE
Proposals are now being accepted for conferences to be held in 2018. Proposals will be accepted until December 15, 2016.

SELECTION PROCESS
Applications are reviewed and evaluated by the ITEA Conference Committee then presented to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for a final consideration.

APPLICATION MATERIALS
If you would like assistance hosting a 2018 Super Regional, please send a brief proposal with the following information: • Location/Region
• Projected Dates
• Host Institution
• Facilities (including seating capacity of available halls)
• Competitions (if any)
• Budget
• Attendance Numbers from Previous Conferences (if applicable)
• Requested Funds

Also include any themes and projected soloists or major ensembles you plan to invite. ITEA strongly encourages you to focus on talent and resources from within your region.

SUBMISSION
Completed proposals are to be submitted electronically to the Conference Committee chair, Kenyon Wilson, at kwilson@kenyonwilson.com.

R. Winston Morris & the Tennessee Tech Tuba Ensemble Celebrate their 50th Year!

Everyone is invited to join in on the fun next Oct. 20-22, 2016, in Cookeville, Tennessee, as the TENNESSEE TECH TUBA ENSEMBLE (TTTE) & Professor R. WINSTON MORRIS present their 50TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION CELEBRATION.

Morris, Professor of Music at Tennessee Technological University with 50 years of service, is the elder statesman of tuba professors in the United States. In his early years at the university, Professor Morris established the Tennessee Tech Tuba Ensemble, one of the most successful performing collegiate ensembles in history.

Most of the events for the celebration are open to the public and unless indicated otherwise will be in the Bryan Fine Arts Building, 1150 N. Dixie Ave., Cookeville.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016, will be the first night of activities starting with a 6:30p.m. screening of "TUBA U: Basso Profundo" with Emmy-Award winning Director/Producer Todd Jarrell of his National Public Television production reviewed in American Profile magazine as “… an insightful, fascinating, oom-pah-pah-wow-wow look at an instrument that deserves far more respect and recognition that it usually gets…”

At 7:00p.m.     the TTU BRASS ARTS QUINTET featuring alumni Jimmie Self, euphonium & Tim Northcut, tuba, will perform.  Morris performed tuba in the BAQ from 1967 to 2013.

8:00p.m. the NEWBERRY'S VICTORIAN CORNET BAND founded by TTU euphonium alumnus Michael O’Connor will explore a “forgotten” era of band music that was composed between the end of the Civil War and the advent of the Sousa Band in 1892. The Newberry Band brings together professional musicians who specialize in playing historical wind instruments and arrangements from that era.

At 10:00p.m. a LATE NIGHT TUBA/EUPH HANG with special entertainment will take place at the Clarion Inn, 970 South Jefferson Ave, Cookeville.


FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2016
Everyone will gather at 2:00 p.m. at the TTU owned Regions Bank Building, 10 West Broad Street in Cookeville for the OPENING CEREMONY and reception for the R. WINSTON MORRIS GUINNESS WORLD RECORD TUBA COLLECTION EXHIBIT.  To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ensemble in 2016/2017, Professor Morris has donated his large collection of tuba figurines and tuba oriented art works to the university.  The collection has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest collection of tuba-related items in the world.  The exhibit also includes items of historical interest pertaining to Professor Morris and the first 50-year history of the Tennessee Tech Tuba Ensemble.

7:00p.m. the acclaimed TENNESSEE TECH TUBA ENSEMBLE performs. Recognized internationally as the leading group of its kind, the TTTE has an enviable record of 27 recording projects, eight Carnegie Hall appearances, two World’s Fairs performances, and a 50-year history of performances from Preservation Hall in New Orleans to the Spoleto Festival in Charleston to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and responsible for the composition and arrangement of more music for the tuba than any other single source.  The program will premiere great new music by TTTE Alumni Bill Cherry, Ben McMillan, Jon Oliver and Joe Murphy.

At 8:00p.m. the TTU WIND ENSEMBLE under the direction of  Professor Joseph Hermann, will present the World Premiere of EUPHONIUM CONCERTO by Professor Gregory Danner to be performed by TTU Alumnus and member of the U.S. Navy Band in Washington, DC, Bryce Edwards and the World Premiere of TUBA CONCERTO No. 5 by Dr. Leroy Osmon to be performed by TTU Alumnus and member of the U.S. Navy Band, Kyle Huron, and a performance of QUINCUNX for tuba/euphonium quartet and wind ensemble by TTTE alumnus Dr. Kenyon Wilson.

The evening concludes at 10:00p.m. with a LATE NIGHT JAZZ TUBA HANG in the  TTU Alumni Building, 705 N. Dixie Ave, Cookeville, featuring the rhythm section from the Modern Jazz Tuba Project with TTTE tuba alumni Joe Murphy and Richard Perry.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2016 is the TTU HOMECOMING 2016 for those Tennessee Tech alumni who want to hang for all the festivities with the marching band, parades and football game.  There will be an evening banquet for all the Tennessee Tech Tuba Ensemble alumni and invited guests.

Other than the closing banquet all other activities are open to the public free of charge and every one is most cordially invited to join with us as we celebrate 50 years of Tuba/Euphonium Music

New Hire: Dr. Matthew Shipes, University of Idaho

Starting in the fall of 2016, Dr. Matthew Shipes will be the Clinical Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium in the University of Idaho's Lionel Hampton School of Music. There he will teach all applied tuba and euphonium lessons, lead studio classes and the tuba-euphonium ensemble, play tuba in the Idaho Brass Quintet, as well as teach ear-training and music appreciation courses. Before moving to Moscow, Idaho, Dr. Shipes was a euphoniumist with the United States Air Force Band in Washington D.C., taught low brass at Shepherd University in West Virginia, and was the Euphonium Instructor at Towson University in Maryland. Prior to his work in the D.C. area he was the Instructor of Tuba and Euphonium at Georgia College & State University while completing coursework at the University of Georgia.

New Hire: Erik Lundquist, U.S. Air Force Band Ceremonial Brass

Erik Lundquist is the newest member of the euphonium section in the United States Air Force Band Ceremonial Brass, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. His duties in the band will include Full Honors Funerals at Arlington National Cemetery as well as arrivals, patriotic programs, and change of command, retirement and awards ceremonies for foreign dignitaries at the Pentagon, White House, Air Force Memorial, and flight line arrivals at Andrews Air Force Base. Originally from Jamestown, New York, Erik received his bachelor's degrees in Music Education and Euphonium Performance in 2014, as well as a master's degree in Euphonium Performance in 2016 from the University of North Texas where he studied with Dr. Brian Bowman. Most recently he was awarded 2nd place in the Artist Euphonium division of the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival and was the winner of the 2016 International Tuba Euphonium Conference Mock Military Band Euphonium Competition in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Photo credit: Jamestown Post-Journal

New Hire: Zach Bridges, U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Ceremonial Band

Zach Bridges is the newest member of the tuba section of the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Ceremonial Band. His duties with the band include supporting funerals at Arlington National Cemetery and wreath-laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, monthly retirement parades, special reviews, and arrival and departure honors for foreign dignitaries at the White House and Pentagon. Zach received his bachelor’s degree from Baylor University, where he studied with Dr. Kent Eshelman. He received his master’s degree from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, where he studied with David Kirk, Principal Tuba of the Houston Symphony. Prior to joining “Pershing’s Own,” Zach performed with the Houston Ballet, East Texas Symphony, and the Waco Symphony, as well as the festival orchestras of Lake George, Brevard Music Center, National Music Festival, Texas Music Festival, and the Sewanee Music Festival. In addition, Zach has performed in several solo competitions, including being a semifinalist the Artist Tuba solo competition at the 2014 International Tuba Euphonium Conference in Bloomington, Indiana. In addition, he was the winner of the 2011 Young Artist Tuba competition at the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival.

New Hire: Joshua DeVries, Texas Woman's University

In the spring of 2016, Joshua deVries was appointed as Instructor of Tuba & Euphonium at Texas Woman’s University in Denton, TX and will continue in this role for the 2016-2017 academic year. Mr. deVries enjoys a diverse career as a musician and has performed with ensembles such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Philharmonic, South Florida Philharmonic, New World Symphony Orchestra, Kenosha Symphony Orchestra, and others. He currently lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and maintains a private studio of students outside of his studio at Texas Woman’s University.

2017 GABBF: CALL FOR PAPERS/PRESENTATIONS

The Great American Brass Band Festival (GABBF) in Danville, Kentucky announces a call for papers and presentations for the 2017 GABBF Brass Symposium. The Brass Symposium will be June 2, 2017, an educational event that serves as part of the Great American Brass Band Festival, which runs  June 1-4, 2017. Presenters who are selected will be offered a $350 stipend plus free lodging on the Centre College campus.

Presentations are typically 25-30 minutes, plus 5 minutes for questions. There is no particular format required. Proposals may be academic paper presentations, performance demonstrations, historical lectures, or other formats. Creative or unusual presentation proposals are welcomed and encouraged. (Powerpoint, video and sound playback resources will be available to the presenter.)

The 2017 GABBF theme is "The Roaring Twenties," however, papers and presentations for the Brass Symposium are not required to be on this topic. Historically, presentations have been on topics such as  brass instruments,  brass bands, band history, performance practice, and music history/literature.
Proposals, or questions about proposals, should be sent via email to Jason Dovel  at
Jason.Dovel@uky.edu.  If large files need to be sent, a Dropbox link is preferred.

Proposals must be received by November  1, 2016.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.gabbf.org/festival/education/brass-symposium/

Upcoming Event: Brass Fest 3

The University of Wisconsin - Madison will be hosting the third annual Brass Fest on September 30-October 1, 2016. Geared toward college and high school students, Brass Fest features concerts, master classes, and workshops led by top brass musicians from around the world. The Stockholm Chamber Brass will join the Wisconsin Brass Quintet to lead this year's Brass Fest. For full details, visit the following website: http://www.music.wisc.edu/event/brass-fest-3/

Dr. George Palton Conducting Daily Routines Survey

Dr. George Palton, Adjunct Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at Marshall University in West Virginia, is conducting a survey of tuba and euphonium players' daily routine habits. Prior to this current study, Dr. Palton had surveyed the daily routine habits of nearly 50 professional tuba and euphonium musicians in the United States. Results were published in the Winter 2005 ITEA Journal. In an effort to have a broad and international scope, he is now conducting the survey once again and will publish the results in an upcoming edition of the ITEA Journal and on his own website (http://www.georgepalton.com). If you would like to participate in this survey, please follow the link below. The survey should take less than 5 minutes. Please feel free to pass this along to tuba and euphonium players of all ages and backgrounds. Thank you for your assistance with this project!

http://www.georgepalton.com/daily-routines-survey.html

U.S. Army Band Creates a New Solo Competition for Euphoniums

The United States Army Band has created a new solo euphonium competition, which will be held for the first time February 1-4 as part of the 2017 Tuba Euphonium Workshop in Fort Myer, Virginia. Preliminary recorded round tapes are due October 3rd. The repertoire for this year's competition includes the following:

Recorded Round

Hummel, arr. Childs: Fantasy

AND 

J.S. Bach: Prelude from Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor

Final Round

Ponchielli: Concerto per Flicorno basso

For full competition details, please visit http://www.usarmyband.com/tuba/euphonium-solo-competition.html

ITEA Nominations Open for Vice-President/President-Elect

Any member of ITEA may nominate another member or stand in nomination for the office of Vice-President/President-elect. The person who holds this crucial elected position will be part of the leadership team for the Association for six years (two years as vice-president, two years as president, and two years as past-president). The specific duties of each of these positions are described in Article Five of the ITEA By-Laws which is available to all members at www.iteaonline.org (pull-down menu under “Members”). Nominations will be received by Past-President and Chair of the Nominations Committee, Jerry Young, either by e-mail at jyoung@uwec.edu or by mail at:

ITEA Nominations Committee c/o Jerry Young
1625 Heartland Drive North
Eau Claire, Wisconsin USA 54701.

Nominations are open until October 1, 2016.

After nominations are closed, all nominees will be considered by the nominating committee. The committee will narrow the field of nominees to two. Biographical information and a personal statement from each nominee will appear in the Winter Journal and at the Association’s web page. The election will take place on line in late February or early March. All members will be notified of the election (including the opening and closing dates for voting) via e-mail and with announcements in the Journal, web page, and Facebook.

Thank you for your participation in the nominating process and for voting in this most important election process. Whether you are student, professional, or retired member of the Association, your voice is important.

New Hire: Dr. Matthew van Emmerik, Cameron University

Dr. Matthew van Emmerik will be the new Assistant Professor of Music - Director of Bands and Low Brass at Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma. He will begin in August 2016, and his duties will include conducting the Wind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, and Pep Band and teaching applied low brass lessons.  Born in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia in 1978, Matthew is the former principal euphonium player of the Central Band of the Royal Air Force in London, United Kingdom and all Royal Australian Navy Bands. He has held recording, high-profile, and principal positions with the world's leading bands and orchestras. Since 2007, Matthew has been a brass ensemble conductor and euphonium and low brass lecturer at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music at Monash University. He completed his PhD studies and graduated as a Doctor of Music from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the University of Sydney in 2011. He has recorded three commercially available CDs: ‘Neath Austral Skies, Utaki – The Sacred Grove (Summit Records U.S.A.), and Homeland (Potenza U.S.A.). Homeland is Matthew’s latest CD featuring repertoire commissioned and composed specifically for him, and this recording has already received critical acclaim and has recently been named "CD of the Month" in the Brass Band World Magazine (UK). Matthew is proud to be an Adams Custom Brass Artist and Clinician and an endorsee of Reunion Blues gig bags. Matthew uses his own VAN EMMERIK signature mouthpiece range when performing. To keep up with Matthew’s activities feel free to follow him at his website and Facebook page: www.matthewvanemmerik.com and https://web.facebook.com/DrMatthewVanEmmerik/

New Hire: Dr. Justin Benavidez, Ithaca College

Dr. Justin Benavidez has accepted the Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium position at Ithaca College and will continue there after being in an interim position this previous academic year. At Ithaca College, he teaches all applied tuba and euphonium lessons and coaches chamber music ensembles. Dr. Benavidez is the tubist in Symphoria (formerly Syracuse Symphony) and the Syracuse Opera, and he is the Tuba Artist-Faculty at the Round Top Summer Music Festival Institute. Dr. Benavidez is a Buffet USA Artist performing on Meinl Weston tubas.

New Hire: Dr. Matthew Mireles, St. Mary's University

Dr. Matthew Mireles has recently accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Instrumental Studies at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. He will begin in August 2016. Dr. Mireles’ duties will include leading the Wind Ensemble and Athletic Band and teaching conducting. Dr. Mireles is in high demand as a performer, conductor, clinician, and educator. Prior to this appointment, he was the Director of Bands at Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma. He is also a member of the Boreas Quartet, which won the 2016 Roger Bobo Award for excellence in chamber music recording.

New Hire: Genevieve Clarkson, Northern Arizona University

Genevieve Clarkson will be the new Lecturer in Tuba/Euphonium at Northern Arizona University. Beginning in August 2016, Genevieve will be teach private lessons as well as associated activities, including juries and studio recitals, weekly master classes, and pedagogy and literature courses. In addition, she will be direct the Northern Arizona University Tuba Euphonium Ensemble (better known as NAUTEE) and will perform in the faculty brass quintet, Elden Brass. A native of Arlington, Virginia, Genevieve earned a Bachelor of Music Degree from James Madison University (Kevin Stees), a Master of Music Degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (Timothy Northcut), and is a current Doctoral Candidate in Tuba Performance at Indiana University (Daniel Perantoni). Genevieve served as Conference Manager for the 2014 and 2016 International Tuba Euphonium Conferences held in Bloomington, IN and Knoxville, TN, respectively. Having worked as a freelance musician and private instructor in and around Austin, Texas since 2014, Genevieve leaves behind a fantastically talented studio of 60 middle and high school tuba and euphonium students, but is looking forward to her new position at Northern Arizona University.

New Hire: Chris Olka, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Chris Olka has won the position of Principal Tuba with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. He will begin playing with the CSO in September 2016 under the baton of Music Director Louis Langree. His duties will include performing with the Cincinnati Symphony, Opera, Ballet, and Pops ensembles. Prior to his appointment in Cincinnati, Chris has been the Principal Tubist of the Seattle Symphony and Opera since 1999 and the Tuba Artist Faculty at the University of Washington since 2001. Additional orchestral experience includes Guest Principal Tuba with the Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Cincinnati, and New Jersey Symphonies as well as principal positions with Maestro Seiji Ozawa’s Saito Kinen Festival Orchestra and Gerard Schwarz’s All-Star Orchestra and Aspen Festival Orchestra. From 1989 to 1996 he was a staff musician for the Walt Disney World Company in Orlando, Florida, where he was a member of many of the bands there, including the TUBAFOURS tuba quartet, the world’s only full-time professional tuba quartet. His education includes a B.M. from the University of Central Florida and an M.M. from the Juilliard School. Chris is proud to be a Yamaha Performing Artist.

New Hire: Dr. Adam Frey, University of North Georgia

Dr. Adam Frey is the new Assistant Professor of Low Brass at the University of North Georgia, where he will serve as the Director of the Brass Area and teach trombone, euphonium, tuba, chamber music, and brass choir. He will begin his position at UNG in August 2016. Dr. Frey has commissioned more than 100 new works and arrangements involving the euphonium and has been the Artistic Director of the International Euphonium Tuba Festival for 13 years. His degrees are from the University of Georgia, the Royal Northern College of Music, and Salford University. His website - www.euphonium.com - serves as a hub of euphonium information with more than 600 free PDF and MP3 samples.

New Hire: Fernando Deddos

Fernando Deddos has been named the Professor of Euphonium and Tuba at the Federal University of Rio Grande de Norte State in northeast Brazil. This marks the first time a euphonium specialist has obtained a full-time teaching position in Brazil. Deddos began teaching at the Federal University of Rio Grande in March. His duties in this position include teaching tuba and euphonium, coaching popular and classical music ensembles, and participating in research and performance groups. Deddos is a composer and euphonium musician from Brazil. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Conducting and Composition from Paraná State School of Music and Fine Arts (Brazil), a Master of Music degree in Performance from Duquesne University (Lance LaDuke), and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Georgia (David Zerkel). He is the artistic director of the Southern Brazilian Tuba-Euphonium Conference and composed works that were premiered and recorded in Europe, the United States, Japan, and South America. Besides his several chamber and popular music projects as a euphoniumist and pianist, Deddos recorded the very first euphonium album in Brazil (ITEA Roger Bobo Award) and has earned two Harvey Phillips Awards (solo and chamber category).

New Hire: Tom McCaslin, Calgary Philharmonic

Mr. Tom McCaslin has accepted the position of Principal Tuba in the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. He is currently Associate Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at East Carolina University. As an orchestral musician he has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony, the New Mexico Symphony, and the Lahti Symphony among others. In 2003 Tom became the first tubist to return three summers to the prestigious Tanglewood Music Center, the summer training center for the Boston Symphony, and in 2006 was acting principal Tuba in the Auckland Philharmonia (New Zealand). In 2013 Tom joined the Eastern Music Festival (EMF) as Principal Tubist and teaching faculty. Tom holds a Licentiate in Music Performance from McGill University and a Master’s degree in Music Performance at Arizona State University. Tom’s principal teachers include John Griffiths, Fritz Kaenzig, Roger Bobo, Dennis Miller, and Samuel Pilafian. Tom McCaslin is a Yamaha Performing Artist and plays exclusively on Yamaha instruments.

Dr. Neal Corwell Retires from the "Pershing's Own" U.S. Army Band

After over 22 years of military service, Dr. Neal Corwell recently retired from "Pershing's Own," The U.S. Army Band in Washington, D.C. He first won a position with the band in 1981 during his senior year as an undergraduate student at Frostburg State College. Then, after a more than 12-year break-in-service, Corwell again won a euphonium position with the organization in 2002. During the 1980s he was a frequent and popular soloist with the Concert Band, and during his second stint with the band he became section leader of the Ceremonial Band. Before the ink was dry on his retirement papers, Dr. Corwell hit the road to make appearances at universities in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Rhode Island. Now that retirement has freed up his time, he's looking forward to many more appearances, beloved euphonium in hand, across the country and around the globe. In fact, one his most recent composition projects is Come to the Edge, for which he premiered the band-accompanied version with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Symphonic Band in March. For more information about Corwell, please consult his website: NealCorwell.com

Upcoming Event: Dublin Brass Week

Dublin Brass Week offers an intensive yet varied schedule of events in which players can perform and learn in multiple settings. These range from traditional masterclasses, individual lessons, concerts, and ensembles to more specialized classes such as audition training, lectures, screened orchestral audition, jazz, and improvisation classes. Additionally, the annual Dublin Brass Week Concerto Competition is held during the festival, offering the winner a solo performance in the DBW Closing Concert and an engagement as soloist with an Irish orchestra in the coming seasons. 

Each year, Dublin Brass Week invites a faculty of leading soloists and internationally renowned teachers to teach, play, and share their knowledge at DBW.  Dublin Brass Week's unique atmosphere provides a positive and encouraging setting for musicians from around the globe to meet, collaborate, and share their passion for brass music. 

Øystein Baadsvik is the tuba faculty member. There are only 4 places in total available on the course this year.

All tuba players will receive the following tuition during the week -

Tuba

• 3 x Masterclasses with Øystein Baadsvik  
• 1 x Masterclass with Peter Gane
• 1 x Screened Audition Class with Jörgen van Rijen
• 2 x Lectures with Kristian Steenstrup
• Ensembles, also performing in concert
• DBW 2016  Concerto Competition
• Tickets to all Faculty Concerts

The course fee for applications received before 1 May is €375 and a course fee of €425 will be payable until the final application deadline on 1 June.

Full information at www.dublinbrassweek.com/dbw-2016 

Also note that hosting with local families in Dublin is offered on a first come first served basis for the duration of the festival for an additional admin fee of €50.

2016 ITEA Inaugural Teaching Award Winner!

The ITEA Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the winner of the inaugural ITEA Teaching Award is David Zerkel, Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson School of Music.

Prof. Zerkel was one of several members of ITEA nominated for this new award, with supporting letters solicited from current and former students and professional colleagues.   He will be formally recognized in June at the Awards Banquet at ITEC 2016 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

New Hire: Christopher Leslie, West Point Band

Christopher Leslie has won a euphonium position with the West Point Band. He will ship out for basic training in July and start playing with the band in early October. His duties will include performing with the concert and marching bands, the tuba quartet, and other chamber ensembles. Leslie received a Bachelor of Music Education with Distinction from St. Olaf College and a Master of Music in Euphonium Performance from Indiana University. He will finish his D.M.A. at the University of Georgia in the spring of 2016. He has been a featured soloist with the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” the University of Georgia Wind Ensemble, the Indiana University Wind Ensemble, the St. Olaf Orchestra, and the St. Olaf Band and has appeared on Minnesota Public Radio. Leslie has garnered success in regional and national competitions, taking first place in the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium Competition, the ITEC Solo and Mock Band Competitions, and the U.S. Army Band National Collegiate Solo Competition. In addition, he has been a runner-up in the MTNA Brass Solo Competition. He attributes his successes to the guidance and support of his teachers David Zerkel, Daniel Perantoni, David Werden, and Hiram Diaz, and to his father, Ken.

New Hire: Gail Robertson

Dr. Gail Robertson has recently accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Tuba/Euphonium and Jazz at the University of Central Arkansas. She is currently serving in this role as a Visiting Assistant Professor. Her duties - now and in the future - include teaching graduate and undergraduate applied lessons, leading Jazz Ensemble II, teaching the Graduate Pedagogy and Repertoire courses, conducting the UCA Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, and performing as the tubist with Pinnacle Brass, UCA's faculty brass quintet. Dr. Robertson earned degrees from the University of Central Florida, Indiana University, and most recently Michigan State University, where she completed her D.M.A. as a University Distinguished Fellow. Her research at Michigan State led to the Clifford Bevan Award for Excellence in Research, which she was awarded in 2014. Prior to her doctoral studies, Dr. Robertson performed for 10 years with the “Tubafours” at Walt Disney World. Her other performance activities include the SYMBIOSISDUO with Dr. Stacy Baker, an ensemble which has recorded two CDs. In addition, she has toured the U.S., China, and Japan with Keith Brion’s “New Sousa Band," is a member of the Brass Band of Battle Creek, and has recently performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Robertson is a Willson Euphonium Artist and uses a bronze Warburton/Gail Robertson mouthpiece.

New Hire: Itai Agmon

Beginning in January 2016, Itai Agmon will make his debut as the Principal Tubist with the Minnesota Opera Orchestra. Agmon is currently a sophomore at Indiana University. His primary teachers include Daniel Perantoni, Shmuel Adi Hershko, and Avital Handler. During his military service in the Israel Defense Forces Band (2011-2014), he was an avid freelancer and was the primary tuba player for various regional orchestras across the state. He recently toured with the IU Wind Ensemble to the National CBDNA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee and performed with the IU Philharmonic Orchestra and the IU New Music Ensemble. He has been supported by the America-Israel Cultural Foundation since 2011.

New Hire: Dr. Albert Miller

Beginning in January 2016, Dr. Albert Miller will be the new Instructor of Tuba and Euphonium in the Lionel Hampton School of Music at the University of Idaho. His duties there include teaching applied tuba and euphonium lessons and studio classes. A native of Columbus, IN, Dr. Miller received his D.M.A. from the University of Kansas, an M.M. degree from the University of Arkansas, and a B.M.E. from Indiana State University. Prior to his move to the Pacific Northwest, he was the Director of Jazz Studies and Instructor of Low Brass at Kansas Wesleyan University. His primary teachers include Scott Watson, Ben Pierce, Alex Lapins, and Brian Kiser.

New Hire: Dr. Alexander Lapins

Dr. Alexander Lapins has recently accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He is currently serving as the Lecturer of Tuba and Euphonium at UT-Knoxville for the 2015-2016 academic year. His duties as assistant professor will include teaching applied lessons, leading the tuba/euphonium ensemble, teaching chamber music, and playing in the faculty brass quintet. Dr. Lapins was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in the suburbs of northern Virginia. He studied at James Madison University, the University of Michigan, and Indiana University, as well as the Henry Mancini Institute and the Tanglewood Music Center. He has performed with the Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Chicago and Flagstaff Symphony Orchestras, the Cincinnati and Indianapolis Opera Orchestras, the New Mexico Philharmonic Orchestra, and many professional brass quintets. He has also performed as a session musician on hundreds of recordings. In addition to his duties at UT-Knoxville, Dr. Lapins is on the faculty of the Miraphone Academy and the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and was previously on the faculty of Northern Arizona University, Indiana State University, and the University of Indianapolis. His principal teachers include Daniel Perantoni, Fritz Kaenzig, Kevin Stees, Tony Kniffen, and Mike Bunn. Dr. Lapins is a Miraphone artist.