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Army Band Tuba-Euphonium Conference, 2008 - Thoughts

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Most readers of this blog probably already know about the annual Tuba-Euphonium Conference held on Ft. Meyer by the United States Army Band ("Pershing's Own"). The event charges no admission, so the only costs are travel, meals, and lodging. Each year they have some great guest artists, master classes, large ensemble concert(s), as well as recitals by military musicians and college teachers.


One interesting event is the open reading session. Anyone at the conference with a tuba or euphonium can sit in and read some good quartet or ensemble music. The conductor this year was Dennis AsKew, from the faculty at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Dennis did a great job of conducting, often getting this thrown-together ensemble to play the music, including dynamics, rubatos, etc., as though they had rehearsed the pieces. Here is a photo:





Another feature popular with almost all the attendees is the huge display of instruments and music. Here is a shot of the instrument tryout room, where you can only see about half of what was there:





When the event rolls around again next year, make every effort to go. You won't be sorry.

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