If you didn’t get to catch my trombone trio’s December Recital in Sundin Hall at Hamline University, never fear! The videos are up on YouTube in their own playlist, and in concert order!
Weekly Roundup 12/14/15
Reading: n/a
Arranging: n/a at the moment!
Practicing: My lesson with Mr Sundstrom was this afternoon. It was phenomenal. He had great wisdom and advice to share, but honestly, the best part was hearing him play (and playing Tannhauser with him). Now: barreling toward my doctoral audition full force: some woodshedding to do but it’s time to enjoy the music.
Rehearsing: Metro Brass on Sunday night.
Performing: Last week’s performances were so much fun! I’ll have video to share of my trio recital very soon. And Gabe put on such a good recital. It was beyond exciting to listen to her perform again.
Listening: The new Punch Brothers album Phosphorescent Blues, so gorgeous and ethereal.
Teaching: What do you want the horn to do? Are you telling it or following its lead?
Relaxing: My trip to STL was really nice- lots of good conversation and warm dinners. I’d like to carry that back into my social life at home.
Weekly Roundup 12/7/15
Reading: n/a (Well, for fun I’m reading Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton, so…)
Arranging: n/a at the moment!
Practicing: I have a lesson with Kari Sundstrom, trombonist with the Minnesota Orchestra, in two weeks, to go over my doctoral audition materials and anything else we have time for! I’m also hard at work on the Trombone a Trois recital pieces and the two pieces I’ll be performing with my friend Gabe on her recital in St Louis this weekend.
Which reminds me: TOMORROW:
Rehearsing: TaT dress tonight. Metro Brass last night tried out some new members- it was awesome! It’s always sad to see folks go- but it’s also great to meet new players? The music world is bittersweet.
Thursday I’m out to St Louis to rehearse and perform with Gabe.
Performing: Trombone a Trois. See above. Gabe’s recital, see link above,
Listening: HAMILTON (yes, still)
Teaching: Following the phrase- what instructions are you giving yourself/the horn? They should be simple: “sound like this”. Relinquish control and it’ll be easier.
Relaxing: I went for a walk around Lake Harriet yesterday and saw a FOX! In the city! Amazing.
Weekly Roundup 11/30/15
Reading: n/a (Well, for fun I’m reading Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton, so…)
Arranging: n/a at the moment!
Practicing: I have a lesson with Kari Sundstrom, trombonist with the Minnesota Orchestra, in two weeks, to go over my doctoral audition materials and anything else we have time for! I’m also hard at work on the Trombone a Trois recital pieces and the two pieces I’ll be performing with my friend Gabe on her recital in St Louis next weekend.
Rehearsing: Trombone a Trois is hard at work preparing for our December 8th show at Hamline! Hope you can make it- check out the Facebook page for more details.
AND! A new 7-piece jazz ‘big band’ style group is in the works! Some marvelous players, and an all lady horn section, which, while not our schtick, is almost unheard of, so I’m happy to get that representation out there!
Performing: Trombone a Trois. See above. Gabe’s recital, see link above,
Listening: HAMILTON (yes, still)
Teaching: Week two of the Jan treatment is going strong! I’m figuring out how to expand on the concept with individual folks and help them grow their sound and musicality.
I visited with the middle and high schoolers in Zimmerman, MN this morning, and it was a blast! We talked concept and made some gorgeous low brass sounds.
Relaxing: UGH I’ll rest when I’m dead
Weekly Roundup 11/23/15
Reading: Too busy! But ordered a few things to check out over the holidays.
Arranging: Satellites charts.
Practicing: WR had a week off last week as I traveled to St Louis and Springfield, MO, to see friends from North Texas. My teacher, Jan Kagarice, gave a masterclass and clinic at Missouri State. It was incredible to see her do her work again, and that energy gave new life to my practicing and teaching this week. I’ve been utilized those things to work on my trio music as well as the numerous pieces I’m preparing for different performances in January.
Rehearsing: Trombone a Trois is hard at work preparing for our December 8th show at Hamline! Hope you can make it- check out the Facebook page for more details.
Performing: Mill City Five is at the Nicollet this Wednesday, 8pm! Free! Come relax before you get to cooking for Thanksgiving!
Listening: HAMILTON
Teaching: Everyone gets the Jan treatment this week and from here on out. Let the air do its thing and put your focus on the music. Less is more. Nothing is everything.
Relaxing: A friend in town this week, a roommate’s birthday, lots going on- looking forward to a few days off over the holiday weekend.
Weekly Roundup 11/8/15
Reading: Nothing for work
Arranging: Satellites charts as the new lead sheets get to me.
Practicing: I had a PHENOMENAL lesson with Scott Moore, professor at Gustavus Aldophus, on Friday. We talked a lot about breath control and the art of breathing in- to end a note out- which is not something I’d thought about before. Letting that sink in this week.
Rehearsing: My trombone trio has reunited with a new tenor player joining us, John Maddox! We are preparing a recital on December 8th, our ‘one night only’ chance to say goodbye to Derek before he moves to Maryland in January. 😦
Performing: Played a concert with M’haha yesterday: Hanson Symphony No 2 and Faust Ballet Music. Super fun to perform with that orchestra. The Hanson is new to me and it may go into heavy rotation in my orchestral listening.
Listening: That is, once I stop listening to Hamilton, which will be NEVER
Teaching: Thinks I picked up from Dr Moore regarding breath control. Also high range practice using tunes.
Relaxing: Whenever I can. This weekend I travel to St Louis to see my friend Gabe, and then we are heading to Springfield, MO to see our former UNT classmate Jason Hausback. He now teaches at MSU- and is having our professor, Jan Kagarice, give a clinic to his students. It’s going to be a mini-UNT reunion with some of my favorite Eagles.
Weekly Roundup 10/26/15
Weekly Roundup is moving to Mondays! My Tuesdays have filled up and it makes more sense to do this at the beginning of the week, anyway. 🙂
Reading: Work Hard, Be Nice put aside a for a little bit, about halfway done, while I get control of some other tasks.
Arranging: New Satellites charts! Today’s:
Practicing: Taking things down a volume level or two to focus on a steady, consistent tone- bricks of sound- in Tannhauser. My fortes have suffered from a lack of attention lately and are a little wobbly. Also working up La Gazza Ladra, to speed.
By the way, do you know about TromboneExcerpts.org? What a phenomenal resource. use it. Love it. Support them on Patreon. Do it.
Rehearsing: Mill City Five meets this week to make up new gig books and create a setlist for our gig November 25th at the Nicollet.
Trombone a Trois, my long-defunct trio, is regrouping for a potential recital in December. Stay tuned!
Performing: Nothing on the books until late November.
Listening: THIS (redux)
Teaching: How to be crispy. Keep your shorts short!
Relaxing: What. Is. That.
Lauren Husting, trombone 