Who was your teacher?

[MN_TimTuba]

Most of my tuba studies have been with people you wouldn't know, being from out-state Minnesota and a small Christian college near Chicago.
Elementary - Raymond Blake, fine violinist and vocalist
Jr. High - Sonja Rehbein, low brass player
Sr. High - Richard Foley, US Army Band and trombonist with one of the Dorsey bands, and president of the MSHSL Jazz Educators
Sr. High - Paul Melby, fine trumpet player, taught me a lot about breathing, phrasing, transposing
Sr. High - Dean Trzpuc, sax and bassoon player, a perfectionist who demanded only my best
College - George Strombeck, very fine euphoniumist and member of a terrific clown band in Michigan and a Salvation Army band in Chicago
College - Andrew Lumbrazo and Charles Boston, both trombone players in the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra, and limited but influential occasions with Arnold Jacobs

Since that time I've completely enjoyed learning from and performing for/with Russ Pesola (Concordia College), Jim Wheeler (Army Band trombonist and big fan of tubas), and Gene Gaffney (director of the Detroit Lakes Community Band, and genuinely the kindest, most knowledgeable band director I've ever played for). Life's been good.

Tim

[MiBrassFS]

.

[gocsick]

This post has been interesting... it makes me wonder how much of an outlier my experience is for an active adult player. Sorry for the long post...

My parents were not musical at all. I started band in middle school on trumpet and the director moved me to baritone.. Family finances were always tight.. so while we always had food on the table and working cars.. private lessons were never really an option. In high school I played baritone/euphonium in concert band and tuba marching. In school the band director believed that screaming and insults without any actual explanation was the foundation of musical pedagogy...Made all county band on a school owned King 3 valve front action, bell front euphonium.. If I wanted a car and spending cash I needed a job... so all-state etc or any opportunities that required payment were not on my radar. After I graduated high school I was lucky enough to have a fiberglass stencil sousaphone with leaky valves that the school literally didn't want back. It was largely held together with duct tape and a prayer... That was my only instrument for a several years until it was destroyed in a move.. then I went about 10 years with nothing... During that time a lot of craziness happened.. I went from working as an industrial mechanic... night school to become an aircraft mechanic.. 9/11 and a lay off.. went to community college.. got married.. engineering degree.. grad school.. kids... Post doc...

At the start of my post doc.. my wife and i got the itch to start playing again (she was also a HS tuba player). We had 2 kids and exactly 2 nickles to rub together.. We found an Eb sousaphone for her and Dave Fedderly made me a sweetheart deal on a consignment 3/4 CC Weril that was languishing at Baltimore Brass and shipped it to New Mexico on 50% down a payment plan for the balance. I played that little Weril in a drinking band that sometimes marched, based in Los Alamos New Mexico for several years... It wasn't great music.. our motto was "Louder is better than good" But we got together at least once a week and played.

Then I got a professor job.. moved and tuba playing was became basically tuba Christmas and occasionally playing along with Dixieland recordings in my basement. Just before COVID I got the itch big time again... my son started tuba in middle school... and I found a local very active charity band.. and, being was in a fairly comfortable financial position, started collecting instruments and playing whenever/wherever I could. For the last four years or so I've been playing about 40 gigs a year... everything from Jazz fests, street fairs, nursing home gigs, weddings, funerals etc.

The long story short... is I never actually had any formal musical training... except for a couple of targeted lessons with @russiantuba piggybacking on when he is here with my son.... I try to play daily.. Lately I have been trying to work on the big gaps... currently low range playing and sight reading....

Any other self learners on here????????

[psullivan19]

None of these wonderful teachers are still living, unfortunately.

Orpheus A. “Paddy” Knox. He was a great young teacher and tuba player. He had been influenced by Joe Novotny. Obit here: https://www.hollomon-brown.com/obituari ... Id=3373263 Sadly, it doesn’t mention tuba or music; perhaps his life and interests had moved away from that, but for a time, tuba was a major part of who he was.

Lonnie Leard (1923-1978). A great Navy Band euphoniumist. Didn’t believe in double/triple tonguing; his theory was that you could do just as well and articulate better with single tonguing. Spent a lot of time on breath control. The above Paddy Knox had been his “prize pupil” and had recommended him to me (strangely, Paddy Knox was a double/triple tonguer). Died far too young. Buried in Arlington Cemetery. WaPo obituary is paywalled.

Angelo Saverino (d. 1998) Another paywalled obituary. Retired Marine Band. Took lessons from him for a short time at summer band camp. Very helpful; great musician and teacher. Emphasized tone and phrasing (“singing”).

Robert J. Pallansch (1930-2021). https://www.moneyandking.com/obits/robe ... pallansch/ A genius tubist, teacher, creative musician, and instrument repairman. As with my other teachers, I wish I had been mature enough to take full advantage of his wisdom, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been taught by him.

Other influences, not teachers;
Mike Smukal (1952-2018), high school classmate. Trombone prodigy. Incredible technique and jazz improv skills. Became a performer and teacher in Las Vegas.

Mike Thornton (1952-2011) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/ci ... d=52173900 . Showed me what was possible, though my principal career was engineering.

Still living:
Mike Sanders. Put me on to Bob Pallansch, who had been his teacher. Principal St. Louis Symphony.

Andrew Hitz. Great teacher and active next-Gen performer; career innovator. Recommend highly for teaching or coaching.

[Stefan A]

I like that you mention Joe Girlando. He was a pretty cool guy who I got to work with a little bit during college.

I am glad I stumbled on this thread, Mark, because I want to let you know that I got your private message. But I can't reply to it because I am too new here. Plus I don't have your email address. But, thanks for the compliment. I DO still have my F, but I thought it would be time to get back into C.

Stefan

I was very fortunate to have learned from:

Connie Weldon (University of Miami)
David Bragunier (Peabody Conservatory, Peabody Prep, privately after College)
Ron Davis (University of South Carolina while doing a Ph.D in Experimental Psychology)

Ken Kennedy (Peabody Prep)
Dan Brown (Peabody Prep)
David Fetter (privately)

musicians that I took a single lesson with that made a real difference:
Ron Bishop (Cleveland Orchestra)
Gil Johnson (Philadelphia Orchestra)
Dolores Jones (Paris Opera, soprano)
Terry Lee (Opera student)

musicians that I was fortunate to have played next to that made a real difference:
Warren Burkhart (Palm Beach Symphony, 1970s)
Joe Girlando (Baltimore Municipal and Park Band)
Wilbur Schwandt (Don Swan) (gigs in Miami)
Sammy Ross (George Owens Dixieland band)
many others

And:
Paul Krzywicki, who listened to our tuba quartet (Randy Harrison, one of his former students was in the quartet). He gave us honest and very good advice on ensemble playing, then we all had some of Paul's home made pizza. We learned a lot that day from one of the greats.

String Bass:
Janet Clippard (assistant principal string bass Florida Philharmonic)
Bryant Converse (section string bass Annapolis Symphony)

I was fortunate to have some very fine music teachers in school:

High School:
Ray Dombrowski
Scott Sharnetzka

Jr. High School:
Pasquale (Pat) Cornacchione

Elementry:
Rufus Hedrick

[Mary Ann]

Any other self learners on here????????

Some interesting parallels -- did have extensive education as a violinist, as mentioned, but in retrospect, the usual, no competent instruction from any teacher. (This fascinates me, how actually being given the information one needs to learn the instrument, is so incredibly rare. Even now, one is better off with youtube videos most of the time.)

Tuba started at about age 55, I think. One or two lessons with Mike Sherline (RIP,) then tuba with Tucson Symphony, a couple with Mark Nelson. Was already a self-taught horn player (took a while, had one good lesson from one good teacher on horn; lots of lessons with teachers who wanted to teach me music instead of how to play the instrument. Never understood how assigning the student something they cannot do is considered instruction, but I have experienced it across the board: "Do this, but I'm not going to tell you how.")

But the other interesting parallel is I worked at Sandia Labs during engineering school, which also came later for me. No post-doc; BSEE at 39 and I needed to get out and get a job. Not suited to be a professor.

[bloke]

Albeit during different eras, both @the elephant and I studied with Prof. Wumple.

Gerard's matriculation preceded both of our tenures.

[Bassboner]

I've had a few teachers, from unknown to well-known:

David Carpenter - high school band director, bassoonist
Dick Rabideau - public school teacher, tenor bone
Bud ? - public school teacher, bass bone
Robert Wigness - Vermont Symphony
Robert Reifsnyder - Ithaca College
John Swallow - New England Conservatory
Norman Bolter - New England Conservatory

[graybach]

Just wondering what the pedagogy lineage is on this site. Can be band director, tuba professor, whoever you want to mention.

I studied with Skip Gray.

Euphonium:
Kent Fyock Winchester, TN, beginning band director,
junior high- Started me on euphonium

Tuba:
Tom Isbell, Winchester, Tennessee, later junior high and high school band director, started me on tuba

Larry Buckley, Winchester, Tennessee, private lessons

Jason Byrnes, Cookeville, Tennessee, private lessons

Sarita Maxwell, Rock Hill, South Carolina, tuba professor for a year

Played on a Masterclass with Michael Sanders at The US Army Band Tuba/Euphonium Conference

David Saygers- Cookeville, Tennessee, substitute tuba professor for a year

Winston Morris- Cookeville, Tennessee, main tuba professor/mentor

[catgrowlB]

OK, I guess I'll list my main teachers.

* Middle school band director (where it all started, and opened a whole new world of music and instruments to me) -- David Nebrig (RIP)

* High school band director -- Eddie Harris (RIP)

* High school tuba lessons teacher -- Dennis AsKew (RIP)

* College tuba lessons teacher -- Dave Lewis



There were a couple other teachers throughout those years, but they didn't honestly have much impact on me, and I only had them for a year each.

Did a few masterclasses -- each with Charles Villarubia, Fritz Kaenzig and Toby Hanks.

Had the chance to study with the late Toby Hanks (RIP) at Manhattan School of Music, but I had just transferred to another school. Plus it still would have cost a good bit and been a big adjustment for me. It's nice to know I could have studied with him, though.

[Rick Denney]

I never studied with a tuba teacher until I was an adult, which has left a hole in fundamentals training I have hardly been able to fill in the 50-odd years since.

Starting at age 27, I took occasional lessons from Mike Sanders and later from Lee Hipp. A little more recently, I took a couple of lessons from Gil Corella, who has also been my conductor for the last 26 years.

I learned at least as much from colleagues I played with, including primarily Ray Grim, whose influence I cannot overestimate. I have also sat next to solid top-level pros at various times and never failed to pick up stuff from them even if it was only one occasion. That list includes Donald Knaub, Jack Tilbury, Karl Hovey, Albert Islas, Bob Pallansch, and even Chuck Daellenbach.

It should be noted that none of these people can be blamed.

Rick “some students are unteachable” Denney

[Stefan A]

In order of frequency:

Just for tuba:
Ed Goldstein - Undergraduate studies at Towson University
Mike Bunn - Graduate studies at Towson University
Scott Mendoker - Private lessons
David Fedderly - Private Lessons

[tclements]

Keating Johnson
Gary Tirey
Floyd Cooley
Tommy Johnson
Jim Self
Loren Marsteller (bass trombone)
Roger Bobo

[bloke]

Truth be told, I've studied with three or four (five?) WONDERFUL and VERY INSIGHTFUL individuals (some of the best...and why not seek the insights and criticism of the best?), but
(isn't this more what happens?)
MOSTLY, we strive to imitate the very best of what we hear (with some of us believing that "we've really got it", and the rest of us knowing that we "sorta" or "just about" got it), AS WELL AS discovering (trial and error) discovering what works better and what doesn't work as well.

[Rick Denney]

…
Played on a Masterclass with Michael Sanders at The US Army Band Tuba/Euphonium Conference…

I remember that conference.

Mike had asked me if I was willing to be the victimtrainee for that master class, but there’s no way in the world my delicate ego could have withstood the pressure of such public humiliation. I amicably declined. He did much, much better with you. As I recall, you had just purchased the tuba you were using, if I’m not confusing it with another occasion.

My lessons with him were in 1985 as I recall, or maybe the year after. I was still living in Austin at the time and making the drive on Saturday mornings.

Rick “happy to watch” Denney

[davidgilbreath]

Rex Conner 1970-1975 at the University of Kentucky

[Casca Grossa]

Clair Gross was my first teacher who was a local middle school orchestra director and music teacher. He was also tuba in the Reading (PA) Symphony Orchestra.

Bob Whaley was my teacher during my summers at New England Music Camp. He was tuba professor at Western Michigan University.

Phil Sinder when I was a student at Michigan State.

Pat Sheridan while he was getting his master's in business at University of Michigan and while I was still at Michigan State.

Floyd Cooley while I was playing tuba in the Air Force Band of the Golden West in California.

There were a few other noteable teachers along the way, but the teachers I listed above were the ones I spent the most time with.

[graybach]

…
Played on a Masterclass with Michael Sanders at The US Army Band Tuba/Euphonium Conference…

I remember that conference.

Mike had asked me if I was willing to be the victimtrainee for that master class, but there’s no way in the world my delicate ego could have withstood the pressure of such public humiliation. I amicably declined. He did much, much better with you. As I recall, you had just purchased the tuba you were using, if I’m not confusing it with another occasion.

My lessons with him were in 1985 as I recall, or maybe the year after. I was still living in Austin at the time and making the drive on Saturday mornings.

Rick “happy to watch” Denney

Wow, @Rick Denney, you have a great memory. That masterclass was 21 years ago. In 2005.
They put names in a hat of all the people that would want to play on the masterclass, and my name and maybe two others were drawn. And yes, your memory is correct:

I had left music for four years, sold my tuba, and thought I was going to do something else, but I bought a new tuba and got back into music and finished my degree. I had probably been back on the horn for about a month when I played that masterclass.
I played the Robert Jager “Concerto for Bass Tuba.”

One of the reasons I wanted to do the masterclass was that when I was 17 years old at the 1995 ITEC, I was given the opportunity to play on the Arnold Jacobs masterclass at that ITEC. Actually anybody that wanted to was, and I was too chicken to walk up there in front of everybody. I’ve always regretted that.

So, the next time the opportunity presented itself to play on a masterclass 10 years later, I put my name in the hat. That was the one we’ve been talking about with Michael Sanders. He was a very nice guy, very approachable, and he gave me some great playing tips.
Well worth the experience.

[bort2.0]

Toby Hanks

I took lessons from Toby for a while in college, near the end of my time there. He was such a nice person and a fantastic teacher. The first time I played for him, it went something like this:

Toby: If you're a music major, why haven't we met before?
Me: I'm not a music major.
Toby: Well, you should be.

In college, the director of bands was an old-school euphonium player who never let us forget for a moment that he played under William Revelli. You could get away with NOTHING.

And the associate director of bands was a tuba DMA, and as a tuba player, you also got away with NOTHING.

I wouldn't consider either of them as "my teacher", but I definitely learned a lot from both of them.

Also during college, Tom Holtz and Scott Cameron were both at my school pursuing graduate degrees, and helping out with the marching band between their military band commitments.

[thedancingsousa]

In grade school I took lessons with a euphonium player and music teacher named Atticus Hensley, who probably had the most impact on me. I studied with Winston Morris at Tennessee tech in undergrad, and then Dennis Askew at UNCG in grad school. I've taken lessons here and there with others, but those three did most of the work in teaching me.