In Memoriam: Robert (Bob) Rusk

Robert (Bob) Rusk, former tubist of the Milwaukee Symphony and well-known instrument design and repair person, has passed away. See the full obituary here: http://www.palmerfuneralhomes.com/notices/Robert-Rusk

Remembering Arnold Jacobs

June 11, 2015 was the centennial of Arnold Jacobs, former principal tubist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and renowned brass pedagogue. The CSO wrote a nice article about Jacobs' centennial, which you can read at this link: https://csoarchives.wordpress.com/2015/06/04/remembering-arnold-jacobs/

In Memoriam: Kelly Thomas

Our friend and newly elected vice-president/president-elect, Kelly Thomas, passed away very early this morning, June 8, 2015. Our collective thoughts and prayers are with Jana and Kelly and Jana's four children. When I spoke with Jana, I told her that she has our support as she goes through this very difficult time.

Everyone in our Association is aware that Kelly’s passing has several implications for ITEA in the immediate and longer term future. The Executive Committee will meet and discuss those issues after Kelly has been laid to rest, and we will keep everyone informed as we move forward. At this time, however, we all need to stop and take time to reflect on Kelly and his life, lend emotional support to his family, and think on the importance of our own families in our lives and how much we all mean to each other. We are a most fortunate group of people, and each one of us across the Association feels this loss very deeply – which is one of the things that makes our Association so special.


Sincerely,

Jerry Young
President, ITEA

Kent Eshelman Receives Outstanding Professor Award

Dr. Kent Eshelman received an Outstanding Professor Award in teaching from Baylor University. Baylor's president Ken Starr presented him with a certificate and cash award at the spring commencement ceremony in May. Kent has taught tuba and euphonium at Baylor University since 2009, and earlier this year he earned tenure and promotion to Associate Professor.

New Hire: Robert Benton

Dr. Robert Benton has recently accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Low Brass and Music Theory at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and will begin serving in this role in August. At UNK, he will be responsible for teaching all three low brass instruments as well as aural skills and/or music theory. Dr. Benton is moving to Nebraska from Beijing, China, where he was Assistant Principal Euphonium with the Dunshan Symphonic Wind Orchestra. Prior to his time in China, he taught low brass and theory at the University of Windsor (Canada) and Adrian College (Michigan). Dr. Benton is looking forward to the new position, where he will continue his active performance and research agenda, dealing with twentieth-century vocalises and an energetic new-works commissioning program. Dr. Benton received his B.M. from Oakland University, his M.M. from Michigan State University, and his D.M.A. from the University of Michigan. His primary educational influences are Ken Kroesche, Steven Mead, Phil Sinder, and Fritz Kaenzig.

New Hire: Robin Sisk

Robin Sisk will be the Visiting Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at Missouri Southern State University beginning in Fall 2015. Her duties will include teaching tuba and euphonium, advising, teaching music appreciation, serving on the marching band staff, and collaborating with K-12 public schools. Prior to her appointment at MSSU, Robin served as an adjunct professor at the University of Central Florida, Bethune-Cookman University, Seminole State College, and Daytona State College. As a performer, she has held the positions of Principal E-flat Bass with the Brass Band of Central Florida and Principal Tuba of the Gainesville Orchestra, is a founding member of the world's first stilt-walking Dixieland band, Fleur de Beat, and is on-call as a tubist for the Magic Kingdom's Main Street Philharmonic. An active freelancer, she has also performed most notably with the Jacksonville Symphony, Florida Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic, Orlando Philharmonic, Ocala Symphony, Sarasota Ballet, Bach Festival Orchestra of Winter Park, Band Bajha Brass, at theme parks including Walt Disney World and Legoland FL, and at several international and regional instrumental conferences. Originally from Pittsburgh, Robin holds a B.M. in Music Education from West Virginia University and an M.M. from the University of South Florida. She is currently completing the final stages of the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Hartt School. Her primary teachers include Jay Hunsberger, Scott Mendoker, David McCollum, and Les Dean, Sr.

New Hire: Beth Wiese

Beth Wiese has accepted the position of Instructor of Tuba and Euphonium at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Her responsibilities include teaching tuba and euphonium students and playing in the faculty brass quintet. Beth has most recently been a fellow of the New World Symphony and has performed with groups including the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra (Denmark), Macao Orchestra, Korean Broadcasting Symphony, and Civic Orchestra of Chicago. She has also been a winner of the Porcia International Brass Competition (Italy), Musicians Club of Women Competition (Chicago), Union League Civic and Arts Foundation Competition, and has participated in festivals including Tanglewood, National Repertory Orchestra, Aspen Music Festival, and National Orchestral Institute.