The Summerglen Files

As I was packing up my scores after a Wiley Band rehearsal earlier this week, a parent asked me why I was taking my music home. “To study,” I said. The parent replied with surprise, “But why do YOU need to study? You’re a professional!” Without even knowing it, this lady had answered her own [...]

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Ever wonder what makes music education so unique and valuable? This recording of composer and music educator Jack Stamp hits the nail right on the head! Music isn’t just something to pass the time or fill the space; it’s an art form that can bring out the very best in those who pursue it.

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Last night, Andrew and I took a random trip out to Greenville to visit my alma mater, the East Carolina University School of Music. The school has begun hosting an alumni recital each year, and we took advantage of our free Friday night and came to check it out. The alumni performances were excellent–we heard [...]

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This year, Andrew and I have been working with the Millbrook High School Marching Band on their Moulin Rouge show–Andrew’s the percussion instructor, and I’m in charge of the brass line. It’s been a fun and challenging experience, and now we get to see the results of all the students’ efforts over the last couple [...]

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I’ll close this week with a shout-out to professional musiciankind. Especially in right-to-work states like North Carolina, where one doesn’t have to be a union member to play paid gigs, many people don’t understand the advantages of hiring full-time professional musicians over amateurs. The difference between dedicated pros and hobby musicians can be astounding, though–just [...]

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When young trombonists think of practice, they may think of running through their band music or scales. The problem here is, the scales are usually run the same way every time, and the band music is often just played through, top to bottom. To become a great trombonist, it’s wise to mix things up in [...]

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During the last week, I’ve seen phenomenal results from brass students’ spending time buzzing on the mouthpiece–results so great, I must encourage you fine readers to take some time today to buzz! When I was a younger trombonist, few of my teachers were strong advocates of buzzing. I got the impression that buzzing was just [...]

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Today I worked with a student who absolutely detests scales. You can tell they’re the low point of his day, and that often, he’ll avoid practicing them altogether. I know the feeling, because I have that same dread when it comes to improvisation. Once I get started, I can improvise for hours. But getting started, [...]

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I’ve written on this blog and in several other places about this summer’s student trombone choirs, and how exciting it’s been to work with them. But I haven’t written much about the reasons for my excitement–the amazing transformative powers of chamber music! The defining characteristic of chamber music is that only one person plays each [...]

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As I’ve worked through my new technical routine, I’ve done a lot of tailoring to make each exercise fit where I am and where I’m going as a trombonist. It feels like I was given a pair of pants that was far too long, so I hemmed up the legs so they wouldn’t drag the [...]

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