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.

Tubist Ross Knight to Debut with Berlin Philharmonic

In December, Scottish tubist Ross Knight will make his debut in the role of second tuba with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Only 23 years old, Knight received an invitation to audition for the Karajan Academy, which is the Orchestra Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Knight will hold this appointment for the next two years. Read the full story at 4barsrest.

25th Anniversary of the International Brass Band Summer School

Sun, Sea, and Brass! 25th Anniversary Course

On Sunday, August 2, 2015 the International Brass Band Summer School (IBBSS) was held at the University of Wales, Swansea, which overlooks the majestic panorama of Swansea Bay. Delegates had flown in from the USA, Norway, Sweden, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, and of course traveled from the widths and breadths of the UK, and even as far as Japan and Tazmania, Australia.

The Course Director was Prof. Nicholas Childs and his Tutors are all internationally recognized. Looking after the cornets were Black Dyke’s Richard Marshall and Chris Turner; the horn tutor was Owen Farr; Euphoniums and Baritones were led by Gary Curtin and David Thornton from Black Dyke and Fodens respectively; Trombones by Brett Baker; and Tubas by Joseph Cook and Matthew Routley.

The aim is to balance a general improvement in overall playing standards with making new like-minded friends, whilst enjoying a little more time in the sun amidst great surroundings. The International Brass Band Summer School also caters to non-participating and non-residential visitors. For those who want to brush up on their brass band skills whilst their partners soak up the sun in a sublime environment, rest assured, this was Christmas in the summer!

With over 120 delegates there were two individual bands, Sovereign and Prestige, enjoying programmes which included special guest and featured composer, Peter Graham and his works Renaissance and Shine as the Light.  The program also featured James Curnow’s Jubilation and Goff Richards' Doyen. There was also a culmination in a massed bands with a grand finale of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.

The general timetable included individual lessons, playing in small ensembles, and a fun-packed evening in the IBBSS Brass in Concert Entertainment Contest. There was even a Quiz night with a live music section, led by Quizmaster Matthew Routley.

This year saw a new initiative with conducting workshops that covered conducting for beginners to stylistic approaches and contemporary baton techniques.

A highlight of every day was the Evening Recital where one of the Star Tutors would give a breath-taking display of his prowess and a personal insight to himself.

During the week there were trade stands from Trevada, World of Brass and Gramercy Music, and also a special presentation from Rath Trombones.

Next year, the International Brass Band Summer School will welcome Edward Gregson as the guest composer.

After a great week the highlight for the delegates was the Gala Concert, delivered to a packed audience and featuring guest soloists Gary Curtin and Joseph Cook after which was the end-of-course party!

Next year’s IBBSS course will be held from 31st July – 6th August, 2016

For further information please contact IBBSS Administrator, Alison Childs, +44 07802 771735 or email alison4horn@btinternet.com