New Hire: Jarrett McCourt, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Jarrett McCourt has recently won the position of Principal Tuba with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Jarrett will be performing with the orchestra throughout this season and will officially begin his full-time role in September 2020. Named one of Canada’s “hottest 30 classical musicians under 30,” Jarrett currently performs with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Prior to this, Jarrett was the Tuba Fellow of the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida. Jarrett is also a certified yoga teacher and works for Crisis Text Line, a global not-for-profit organization providing free crisis intervention and suicide prevention via SMS message.

In Memoriam: Michael David Sherline (June 25, 1944-August 22, 2019)

Long time tubist with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Michael Sherline passed away at the age of 75 in Na’alehu, Hawaii on August 22, 2019 where he had lived in retirement with his wife of 16 years, Samantha Sherline, since 2013. Born on June 25, 2944, Mike graduated from Maryland High School in 1962, enlisted as a Navy Band tubist in 1967, and served four years receiving the National Defense Service Award. He received the Bachelor of Music degree in 1971 from Catholic University studying with David Bragunier of the National Symphony and a Master of Music degree from Michigan State University in 1975 where he studied with Abe Torchinsky, formerly of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and Robert Whaley (Western Michigan University). Prior to moving to Tucson, he was the principal tubist of the Lansing (MI) Symphony. His music career included thirty years as Principal Tubist of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra (1980-2010), many years as the bass trombone player with the Tucson based Big Band Express, as well as working as a freelance musician in the greater Tucson area. Coinciding with his work with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Mike was a dispatcher for the Pima County Sheriff’s office for twenty-three years. In Hawaii, Mike played in the Hawai’i County Band of West Kamuela, Cook Chamber Orchestra, and the Ka’u Concert band. He also conducted the music for the LDS Ka’u Ward and the Ka’u Ward Choir. He is survived by his wife Samantha, stepson James Long, sister Marge Meredith, brother Donald Sherline, uncle Lee Stanley Sherline, several nieces, and a nephew.

New Hire: Stephanie Ycaza, University of Northern Iowa

Stephanie Ycaza is the new Instructor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Northern Iowa. She began serving in this role in August 2019. Her duties include teaching applied tuba and euphonium, teaching Low Brass Techniques, and conducting the UNITUBA Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble. Stephanie received a Bachelor of Music Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Master of Music degree and Artist Diploma from the Yale School of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Shenandoah Conservatory. She has previously served as adjunct instructor of low brass at Virginia Commonwealth University, Longwood University, the University of Richmond, and Virginia State University. Stephanie is active as an arranger for low brass, including recent adaptations of vocal works for tuba and euphonium.

New Hire: William Waterman, Boise State University

William Waterman is the new Assistant Professor of Tuba and Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at Boise State University. He began serving in these roles in August 2019. His duties include teaching undergraduate and graduate tuba students, conducting the Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, and assisting in the instruction of the Keith and Catherine Stein Blue Thunder Marching Band. An award-winning educator, conductor, arranger, and performer, William holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Kansas, Master of Music degree from Texas Tech University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Michigan State University. In addition to his duties at Boise State, he spends his time as an advocate for English Brass Banding throughout the United States and is an educator for the DCI summer arts. Outside of his musical passions, he spends his time in nature and tasting fine foods with his lovely wife Lindsey.

New Hire: Jesse Orth, Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Jesse Orth is the new Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at Texas A&M University - Kingsville. He began teaching there in August 2019. His duties include teaching applied tuba and euphonium lessons, conducting the tuba/euphonium ensemble, teaching low brass methods, and performing with the faculty brass quintet. Jesse received his DMA and MM degrees from the University of North Texas and his BA in music from The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He has performed and taught across the country as well as abroad in Germany, Hungary, England, Ireland, Brazil, and Ghana. In 2011, he served as a guest artist and faculty member at the 2nd International Festival of Classical music in Piracicaba, Brazil with the Impact Brass Quintet. He has also been recently appointed as Student Chapters Coordinator for ITEA.

New Hire: Steven Vaughn, University of Northern Colorado

Dr. Steven Vaughn is the newly hired Adjunct Professor of Euphonium at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO. Steve also plays principal tuba with the Fort Collins Symphony and solo euphonium with the British-style brass band, Colorado Brass. Outside of his musical endeavors Steve enjoys brewing beer with his wife Jessica, and spending time with their dog and cat, Olivia and Bruce.

New Hire: Steven Darling, University of Tennessee at Martin

Steve Darling is the new Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He began serving in this role in August 2019. His duties include teaching applied lessons in tuba and euphonium and leading the tuba-euphonium studio and ensemble, as well as teaching classes in Music Appreciation, Aural Skills, and Brass Methods. He will also perform in the UTM Faculty Brass Quintet. Prior to his appointment at UTM, Steven served as Instructor of Tuba and Euphonium at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He has won numerous competitions, appeared as a soloist and chamber musician, and performed with orchestras throughout the Midwest. Steven's debut album Dualities, winner of two Global Music Awards, was published by Emeritus in 2018.

New Hire: Scott Sutherland, California Baptist University

Scott Sutherland will be joining the adjunct faculty of California Baptist University, teaching applied tuba and euphonium lessons. His duties at CBU will be an addition to his position at the University of Redlands where Scott teaches tuba and euphonium lessons, online courses in music appreciation and jazz history, and also conducts the brass ensemble. A life-long resident of Southern California, Scott Sutherland has been hailed as “the second craziest tuba player I know” by famed American composer, Joan Tower. He is a member of the Redlands Symphony, Riverside Philharmonic and has been spotted in the back row of the Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, and San Diego Symphony. Additionally, Scott runs a successful YouTube Channel with over one and a half million channel views and is an Artist and Clinician with Eastman Winds.

Ralph Hepola Awarded Recording Grant

The Southwest Minnesota Arts Council has awarded improvising tuba player Ralph Hepola a $5000 Individual Artist Career Grant to record a wide-ranging program of fusion, jazz, blues, rock and Celtic airs. The highly-competitive program is for artists who are in the process of progressing to a new level in their professional careers. Disc Makers in Chicago has duplicated initial demo copies.

Ralph Hepola is heard on thirty-nine professional recordings including the major labels EMI and Warner Bros., and has performed on twenty-five video productions. His experience includes the Basel Symphony Orchestra in Switzerland, followed by freelancing in New York City and Minneapolis/St. Paul. While still a teenager, he won a position in the United States Army Band of Washington, D.C. Hepola earned his music degree at Northwestern University where he studied with Arnold Jacobs.

Other musicians include keyboardist Peter Shu. Raised in Hong Kong, Shu is on the faculty of North Central University in Minneapolis. He has toured nationally as a performer, producer and clinician.

Drummer David Stanoch has built an eclectic musical reputation performing with artists from the worlds of jazz, rock, R&B, Broadway, motion picture and television. See: DrummerWorld.com/drummers/David_Stanoch

Bassist Daniel Arlig studied at New England Conservatory of Music and is an in-demand Minnesota freelancer.

Guitarist Peter Lothringer is a busy jazz musician with a Doctorate in Music Composition from the University of Arizona. His most-recent solo recordings are Fingerstyle Forms and Hymnopedie.

For further information see Ralph Hepola on All About Jazz, YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook and RalphHepola.com

New Hire: Ben Thomson, London Symphony Orchestra

Ben Thomson is the new Principal Tubist with the London Symphony Orchestra. He began serving in this position in April 2019. His duties include performing in the orchestra’s London concerts, tour venues around the world, film and television sessions in London’s studios, and also working with the LSO education department. Prior to his appointment with the LSO, Ben held the same position with the Orchestra of The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Ben completed his degree at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester studying with Ewan Easton (Hallé Orchestra), Brian Kingsley (Opera North), Robin Haggart (Royal Liverpool Philharmonic), and James Gourlay (International Soloist). Ben won the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist of the Year in both 2006 and 2007. Since winning the prizes, Ben has performed concertos with such ensembles as the Ulster Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra and Black Dyke Band, and has given recitals for the Manchester Midday Concert Series in the Bridgewater Hall, the Leeds International Concert Season, and the RNCM’s international Festival of Brass. Ben was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and the European Union Youth Orchestra. He has since worked throughout the UK and abroad, including a trial period with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra based in the Sydney Opera House and a long-term contract with the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra in Spain.

New Hire: Chris McGinty, U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Brass

Chris McGinty recently won a euphonium position with the United States Air Force Ceremonial Brass. He will begin playing with the ensemble in the fall. He will perform with the Ceremonial Brass as they honor fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery and welcome foreign dignitaries in arrival ceremonies at the Pentagon, White House, and Air Force Memorial. Chris recently served as Director of Instrumental Studies at North Central Texas College, having completed his Bachelor of Music Education Degree under the guidance of Dr. Kevin Wass at Texas Tech University, before earning his Master of Music Degree in Euphonium Performance from the University of North Texas under the guidance of Dr. Brian L. Bowman. Together with UNT euphonium alumni Irving Ray, Danny Chapa and Vince Kenney, Chris is a founding member of the North Texas Euphonium Quartet, one of the most active young chamber ensembles in the country and regular guest artists at numerous universities and music conferences throughout the United States. Chris is currently in the latter stages of his doctoral studies under the supervision of David Childs at UNT.

New Hire: Alessandro Fossi, Conservatorio "C. Monteverdi"

Alessandro Fossi has become a tenured Professor of Tuba at the Conservatorio "C. Monteverdi" in Bolzano, Italy. The Conservatory faculty have recently become the Music Faculty of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, a unique institution in the South Tyrol region of Italy. Alessandro is renowned worldwide as an active Italian tuba soloist and a passionate brass pedagogue. He is regularly invited as a guest teacher and performer in important Festivals and Universities, such as the Curtis Institute of Philadelphia, Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, Royal Northern College in Manchester, Stanford University, Northwestern University, Indiana University, Conservatoire supérieur de musique de Genève, and the Manhattan School of Music. He is also a Buffet Group Ambassador. Previous teaching positions include the Conservatorio “G.Rossini” in Pesaro, Italy; Trossingen MusikHochschule in Germany; Conservatorio “F.Cilea” in Reggio Calabria, Italy; Conservatorio “A.Casella” in L’Aquila, Italy; and Conservatorio “B.Maderna” in Cesena, Italy. He has performed with many of the most important orchestras in Italy and Europe, including the Teatro alla Scala Orchestra, Russian National Orchestra, Marjinski Theatre Orchestra of Saint Petersburg, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, and Orchestra Mozart. He has performed as the Principal Tuba with Teatro San Carlo Orchestra in Napoli and Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Roma, and since 2010 he has been the Principal Guest Tuba with Teatro Comunale di Bologna Orchestra. As a soloist, he was a prizewinner in the Markneukirchen International Competition in 2000 (World Federation of International Music Competition, Geneve) and the Lieksa International Tuba Competition in 2001. In 2009 he produced his first solo recording entitled Bel Canto, which is a collection of highlights from Italian operas and classical masterworks. In June 2012 he was awarded the “Premio Vallesina” in the Music category, under the high patronage of the President of the Italian Republic. This award is given to individuals who have distinguished themselves internationally in their professional fields.

New Hire: Danielle VanTuinen, University of Florida

Danielle VanTuinen will be the new Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Florida beginning in Fall 2019. Her duties there will include teaching applied tuba/euphonium lessons, studio classes, pedagogy, repertoire, Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, and chamber ensembles. Danielle is currently a Visiting Lecturer in Low Brass Studies at Plymouth State University, adjunct staff for the marching band at the University of New Hampshire, and Low Brass Faculty at the Portland Conservatory of Music. In addition to teaching, she is a member and co-founder of the Moreau | VanTuinen Duo, a percussion/low brass duo that strives to promote and commission new music, as well as spark interest in a younger audience.

New Hire: Patrick Nyren, U.S. Army Field Band

Staff Sergeant Patrick Nyren has recently won a euphonium position with the U.S. Army Field Band. He will begin performing with the Concert Band in early Fall 2019. Nyren is currently serving as the Euphonium Instructor at the U.S. Army School of Music in Virginia Beach, VA, where he lives with his wife, Erin, and three beautiful children, Liam, Norah, and Elizabeth. He joined the U.S. Army in 2013 after earning his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music Degrees in euphonium performance from the University of North Texas under the guidance of Dr. Brian L. Bowman. Previously, he received his Bachelors of Music Degree in Music Education at the University of Southern Maine, where he began his college education at the early age of 16 and studied with Michael S. Milnarik.

New Hire: Adam Snider, Central City Opera Festival Orchestra

Adam Snider is the new Principal Tuba of the Central City Opera Festival Orchestra. He begins performing with this ensemble in June 2019. Adam is also currently Principal Tuba of the Boise Philharmonic and has previously held principal positions with the Honolulu Symphony, La Crosse Symphony, and Lancaster Festival Orchestras. He has served on faculty at Boise State University; University of Nevada, Reno; and University of Hawai`i-Mānoa. He has performed and given master classes across the U.S. as well as in China, Japan, and Chile.

New Hire: Derek Fenstermacher, Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra

Derek Fenstermacher is the new Principal Tuba with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. He began playing with the orchestra in January 2019. He is also serving as the Principal Tuba with the New Jersey Symphony and Albany Symphony Orchestras. In addition he teaches tuba at Bard College Conservatory and has also taught at Montclair State University and Kean University. Derek is a Buffet Crampon Performing Artist, and performs regularly with Sotto Voce Quartet.

New Hire: Roland Szentpáli, F. Liszt Academy

Roland Szentpáli has recently joined the faculty of the F. Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. He began teaching tuba there in February 2019. Roland was a student at the Béla Bartok Academy in Budapest from 1991-1995, studying with Joseph Baszinka and Gábor Adamik, and later continued his studies with Lászlò Szabò at the F. Liszt Academy. On the international scene, Roland has attended courses held by Roger Bobo, Mel Culbertson, Manfred Hoppert, and Sam Pilafian and has been the recipient of numerous scholarships for study abroad. Among his numerous successes in solo competitions, the most notable are his first prizes at the Lahti International Brass Competition in Finland (2001), the International Performer‘s Competition in Brno, Czech Republic (2000), and the International Tuba Competition in Cheju, Korea (2000). He was also awarded second prize at the prestigious Markneukirchen International Tuba Competition in 2000, and has also been a prize winner at other competitions, including TubaMania (Australia, 1999), Geubwiller International Tuba Competition (France, 1998). Roland is also very active as a composer, having written many works for tuba, chamber ensemble and orchestra in a broad variety of styles. In February of 1994, he performed his own Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra in Budapest for live television broadcast. His music has been played and recorded by the Hungarian Radio Orchestra and the Orchestra Hungarian Music Academy Bela Bartok. His last solo CD “I Killed my Lips” includes four of his own compositions. Apart from his busy solo and composition schedule, Roland is principal tuba with the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra. Always being in great demand he also gave several masterclasses in the United States, Japan and many European countries.

Fritz Kaenzig to receive 2019 ITEA Teaching Award

The Board of Directors of the International Tuba Euphonium Association is pleased to announce that Fritz Kaenzig, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Tuba and Euphonium the University of Michigan, is the recipient of the 4th annual ITEA Teaching Award.

Fritz Kaenzig has served as principal tubist of the Florida Symphony Orchestra and as additional or substitute tubist with Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw and the symphony orchestras of Detroit, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles and St. Louis, under such conductors as Bernstein, Haitink, Leinsdorf, Ozawa, Salonen, and Slatkin. He has recorded and performed as soloist with several of these orchestras, as well as appearing as soloist with the U.S. Air Force and Navy Bands. Since 1984, Mr. Kaenzig has been principal tubist in the Grant Park (Chicago) Orchestra during summers, which has played to capacity audiences since moving to the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park in 2005. Kaenzig has performed in ensembles backing up artists as widely varied as Alan Ginsberg, Luciano Pavarotti, and the Moody Blues.

As a guest instructor, recitalist, soloist with ensembles, and adjudicator, Mr. Kaenzig has made appearances at many high schools, colleges, universities, conferences, and music camps throughout the United States, Korea, and Japan.  He received degrees from the Ohio State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with extensive studies also with Arnold Jacobs, former tubist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra. Prior to joining the U-M faculty, he taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Northern Iowa. Mr. Kaenzig is a past president of the Tubists Universal Brotherhood Association, now known as the International Tuba and Euphonium Association.

The ITEA Teaching Award is presented annually to an ITEA member who has been teaching for at least 10 years.  Letters of nomination are submitted accompanied by letters of support from current and former students and professional colleagues.  Members of the ITEA Board of Directors review the submitted materials and vote to determine the recipient.

Previous recipients of the ITEA Teaching Award are:
2016 - David Zerkel, Professor of Tuba and Euphonium – University of Georgia
2017 - Phil Sinder, Professor of Tuba and Euphonium – Michigan State University
2018 - Don Little, Regents Professor of Tuba – University of North Texas

Sam Pilafian to receive ITEA Lifetime Achievement Award

The Board of Directors of the International Tuba Euphonium Association is pleased to announce that tuba artist Sam Pilaifian will receive the 2019 ITEA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sam Pilafian is perhaps best known as a founding member of the internationally renowned Empire Brass Quintet.  He has also recorded and performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestra of St. Luke's, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Lionel Hampton, Pink Floyd, and most recently Boston Brass.  As a solo jazz artist, Sam has recorded fifteen CDs.  He is also a member of the large brass ensemble Summit Brass.  Solo recital and concerto performances during recent seasons have taken him to Canada, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan, Italy, Austria, Germany and England. As an arranger, composer and recording producer, Sam has recently produced and written for Joseph Alessi (New York Philharmonic), the Boston Brass, the Brass Band of Battle Creek, the Academy (of Drum Corp International), and the United States Air Force Band. Sam is the coauthor with Patrick Sheridan of the best-selling pedagogy texts and DVD’s “Breathing Gym” and “Brass Gym”. 



In 1967, Sam won the concerto competition at the National Music Camp in Interlochen, Michigan, becoming only the second tubist in over fifty years to do so.  He subsequently won fellowships at Dartmouth College and the Tanglewood Music Center.  While at Tanglewood he was invited by Leonard Bernstein to perform on-stage in the world premiere of Bernstein's MASS, which opened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.  He served most recently as Professor of Music at Arizona State University and at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, having previously served for twenty years on the faculties of Boston University and their summer Tanglewood Institute.  Sam has won the Walter Naumberg Chamber Music Award, the Harvard Music Association Prize, the University of Miami's Distinguished Alumni Award, the Brevard Music Center Distinguished Alumni Award, the Robert Trotter Annual Visiting Professorship at the University of Oregon, the annual Outstanding Teacher Award for the College of Fine Arts at Arizona State University, a 2006 Spirit of Disney Award for creativity and design in a Drum Corps International Gold Medal winning performance, and a 2009 Emmy Award for best instructional/educational video from the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences. Sam has previously served as president and chairman of the board of the International Tuba Euphonium Association.

The Lifetime Achievement Awards were established by the Executive Committee of the Tubists Universal Brotherhood Association (now the International Tuba/Euphonium Association) in 1991 as a way to honor those individuals who have made exceptional achievement in and/or service to the euphonium and tuba profession in the areas of performance, pedagogy, scholarship, industry, and composition.

New Hire: Donald Palmire, Royal Hawaiian Band

Donald Palmire recently won the position of Principal Euphonium with the Royal Hawaiian Band and began performing with the ensemble in September 2018. Donald retired as Principal Euphonium of the United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" in 2016 after over twenty one years of service. Donald also was a member of the "President's Own" United States Marine Band between 1987 and 1991. Donald released his first solo CD entitled "Amber and Musk" in 2014 and is an Adams Performing Artist.