John, I think we've had some discussion on this before. I played baritone/euphonium in high school at the request of my band director as he felt my "overbite" was getting in the way of my cornet playing and the baritone would be better for my embouchure. I agreed and was at an advantage because I already could read bass clef being that I also played piano. I played all throughout college as I was a music major. I had the Conn 24I and I must admit I was probably the best they had. Not only could I read bass clef but also tenor as I also played cello in high school and drafted to play it in college. My senior recital was awesome as I did some technically hard pieces. (I still have the reel to reel recording). After college even having a teaching job I was drafted. I applied to the Air Force for their Navy band training to be a band conductor and officer. I went to McQuire AFB for audition. I played a Bach Invention on the piano plus the euphonium. The bandmaster there asked me to play I think is was a diatonic type scale which I really had no clue. I told him I didn't understand what he was asking. He then told me the was sorry and that I had absolutely no musical ability, I just left. My trombone teacher at the time had a close friend who was the commander and conductor of the D.C. Air Force Band. He through my teacher had told me to audition as I had a good shot at it. I had two professors in college who were adjunct to Julliard, my harmony/theory teacher and orchestra, score prof. Later I found that the Air Force Col. in D.C. had some influence to have that officer reassigned. I then chose to be drafted taking a chance I could get into some sort of band. Well they sent me to the infantry and then to Vietnam. I had a college buddy who was playing in the 25th Division band and I went to visit him. The Warrant Officer there auditioned me and told me that when he could see the Division commander, I would get assigned to the band. Well I had to go into the field and was wounded and sent to Japan. When in Japan, my mother found out through our congressman that when I go back to Nam, I'll be in the band. Well I got sent home and stationed at Ft. Dix. Again I asked my major for a transfer to the band as I had gone and auditioned. He agreed and was turned down by post. My major offered me a promotion not to appeal. So I never played in the Army and went directly to my teaching job. For 33 years I never played in a group but occasionally in church getting a lip for that and nothing else. After retiring, still the horn sat in the case until our new church had a brass group. Not only did I begin to practice and play, bought a trombone and joined community bands. I even played a couple of gigs on the bass trombone. Today the pandemic has affected playing in groups. I used to play on my front lawn every Sunday morning until the churches started streaming and opening up. Faced with the arthritis in my hands, I have a B&S rotary bariton and bought a use Wessex Festivo. Sold my 4 valve B&S top valved and will sell the B&S compensator. I still have a bass and tenor trombone and the hand brace for the left hand is a huge help. I'm finding it hard with some finger combinations depending on how the hands work. I won't give up and intend to play until I just can't.
Last edited by BDeisinger; 03-10-2021 at 09:44 AM.
B&S 3046 Baritone/Euphonium
Wessex Festivo
B&S PT37-S
Schilke ST20 Tenor Trombone
Jupiter XO Double valve bass trombone