Brass Ensemble Recording in honor of Larry Rachleff

I had the awesome pleasure recently to make an audio and video recording of a large brass ensemble dedicated to honoring a fantastic conductor, mentor, and friend, named Larry Rachleff. Larry has touched so many young musicians’ lives with his conducting, his love of music, his ever demanding standards, and his everlasting support. Larry has had some health issues this year making life difficult, and these wonderful musicians saw fit to honor him in the best way they knew how! The group consisted solely of graduates of Rice University, people who have studied and played for Mr. Rachleff at Rice, and was a who’s who of DC-area musicians. Players from the National Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Virginia Symphony, Richmond Symphony,, U.S. Army Band (Pershing’s Own), U.S. Navy Band, U.S. Air Force Band, U.S. Coast Guard Band, U.S. Naval Academy Band, and the U.S. Marine Band (The President’s Own) all convened in Alexandria, Virginia to record two works: Percy Granger’s “Horkstow Grange” from Lincolnshire Posy (arr. Tim Higgins), and “The Gathering of the Armies on the River Scheldt” by Richard Wagner. The conductor was Jerry Hou, direct from his current staff position at Rice University. All I can say is, WOW. The first time (and every time) they lit into the River Scheldt from Lohengrin, the hair on the back of my neck stood up. It is quite a testament to Rice University that there are so many fine brass players in the DC area alone! Just amazing! Enjoy the video!

Personnel is listed at the end of the video.

American Conical Ensemble records James Curnow

There’s a new brass group on the block! This summer, at the Great American Brass Band Festival in Danville, Kentucky, a new “super group” of brass musicians took the stage. Trumpeters Chris Martin (New York Philharmonic), Mark Ridenour (Chicago Symphony), and Matthew Harding (U.S. Marine Band), were joined by alto horn virtuoso Nathan Miller (Asbury University), Hiram Diaz (U.S. Marine Band) on euphonium, and Christopher Tiedeman (U.S Marine Band) on tuba.

Long time brass band supporter and world renowned composer and arranger, James Curnow, arranged a new piece for this virtuoso ensemble, which they premiered at GABBF. The group returned from Kentucky and really wanted a chance to record Jim’s wonderful arrangement of Appalachian fiddle music.

This recording features Amy McCabe and Anthony Bellino on trumpet (both members of the U.S. Marine Band), as well as Matthew Harding on piccolo trumpet, Nathan Miller, Hiram Diaz, and Chris Tiedeman.

The Virtual Trombonist Podcast, ep. 1: An interview with John Ohnstad

In the summer of 1993, I had the great fun and opportunity to work at Disney World as part of the All-American College Orchestra, performing at Epcot.  One of my colleague was a bass trombonist named John Ohnstad.  John was an interesting guy.  He was a fantastic musician, but wasn't a music major in college at all!  John has continued his parallel paths in both business and music, and we recently caught up at a reunion of our College Orchestra pals in Orlando.  I sat down to talk a bit with John about how he arrived at his musical career, and to also hear about his unique experiences studying with the late George Roberts. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/220684998" params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450" iframe="true" /]

John performs with a number of groups in and around Portland, here are some links to a few of them:

Rose City Trombones

Big Horn Brass

Portland Columbia Symphony

Art Abrams Swing Machine Big Band - and on their album "Speak Low/Swing Hard"

Listening Lately

Here goes... I've been getting back into some more listening the past week or so... Here's what I'm into lately... Sean Rowe - Sean has a new EP out, called Her Songs.  I especially like "Ode to Divorce" and "Soldier's Song".  "EP" is a little misleading since there is a video to go with each of the 6 tunes on the album.  Great stuff.

The Gaslight Anthem - I listened to the '59 Sound so much I got sick of it... I just realized this band has a few albums out since then!  The latest is Get Hurt.  I really like their sound!

Death Cab for Cutie - Kintsugi - I just love this album.  Still listening to it.  Bought tickets to their show at Merriweather Post Pavilion on September 13.

Valor Brass - yep, our album made it's way to my doorstep yesterday.  Currently available here.  We are thrilled with the sound from our engineer, Ed Kelly, at Cedar Knoll Media.  Phil Snedecor, longtime director and trumpeter of Washington Symphonic Brass was our producer.

Berlin Philharmonic - I recently bought a one-week ticket to Berlin's Digital Concert Hall.  Wow, what an experience!  I binge-watched a number of pieces and concerts over the past week... check out their recent Mahler 5 with a new trumpet concerto called Aerial performed by Swedish virtuoso Hakan Hardenburger.  There is also a great interview with Hakan and conductor, Andris Nelsons, given by Sarah Willis.  I also enjoyed immensely the Wagner set from Siegfried/Gotterdammerung conducted by Daniele Gatti.  $180 for a one-year ticket is quite a bargain when you see what you have access to on the Digital Concert Hall.  Finally, check out a great behind the scenes tour of their production setup.  Cool!

Alright, one more thing.  This is cool.  Great tune, performing, and possibly the best horn section name ever... Tim Akers and the Smoking Section.  The tune is "Uptown Funk".  Enjoy.

Cheers,

The Virtual Trombonist