Page 1 of 1
Army workshop appreciation thread
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2024 11:02 am
by LeMark
Its hard to put into exact words why I love the Army workshop so much, but let me try to put it into words. Please add your sentiments to this thread and I'll make sure it gets to the people that need to see it
I don't know why I love the army workshop so much, but it probably has a lot to do with the fact that one of my former students that I still stay in frequent contact with is in the army band, and going gives me time to spend with him
Maybe it's because it's free, where ITEC is rather expensive
Maybe it's because there is something here for players of all experience levels, and it doesn't just cater and relate to the academic crowd
Maybe it's because it's held every year in the same location, and ITEC is every other year, and sometimes isn't even on the same continent as the vast majority of its members
Maybe it's because the focus is squarely on the music, and not an opportunity to puff up an academic profile
Maybe it's because when I get out of the car in the parking lot, I can stare over the short wall and view the perfectly aligned tombstones of Arlington National Cemetery
Maybe because it's short enough that I feel like I don't have to give up a week of work to enjoy the full experience
Maybe I love seeing the different branches of the armed services working and performing together, instead of being snarky and divisive
Maybe it's because the concerts are actually worth attending with diverse and entertaining music, with more than just solo recitals that appeal only to academics. Brass bands, quartets, mass ensembles, too many combinations to mention, of course along with the fabulous Orchestra and concert bands.
Maybe it's just fun
Re: Army workshop appreciation thread
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2024 11:49 am
by GrecoTrombone
Chris from Baltimore Brass here.
I appreciate the warm welcome that BBCo gets every year. This is my second year working the tuba show, and I felt very good about all of it! I learned a bit, put some faces to names (even though I didn’t get to say hi to everyone), saw some old friends and made some new. Dave was with us this weekend too, and it was great to have him! We picked up a few horns too (Marzan C, Mack Brass C, Cerveny F), and who knows… Maybe I’ll find something for myself next year.
It’s crazy to me what a difference a year can make. I’ve learned a lot over the last year, and thank all of you for the help!
We’ll be attending a few of the TEC events this year, so please come say hi!
Re: Army workshop appreciation thread
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2024 3:02 pm
by bort2.0
Just realizing I haven't been to one of these in 15 years now. Dang...
They were always pretty fun, but I liked the elephant room the best, just too much fun to meet folks and try all the different tubas. I will say, it's MUCH more fun when you go with the intent (or possibility) of buying something. Going in broke, or even just content with your current tuba... still fun, but not as much.
The concerts were always high quality, but not always high interest for me. I think I usually left at halftime during the evening concert. Not out of disrespect, but I saw enough and got the point. I think I just don't like tuba music all that much.
Since I'm not local anymore, I doubt I'll go to another one. It was fun, and I'm still curious to know what happened... But I don't need to live through it again for myself.
Re: Army workshop appreciation thread
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2024 3:13 pm
by bort2.0
Oh, and the good-natured snarkiness of the US Armed Forces is what keeps the whole thing together. Whether it's "My A$$ Rides In Navy Equipment", the US Chair Force, or the double-dip of being in the Coast Guard AND playing the euphonium...
They can be brutal to each other.... But flip of a switch ready to risk their own lives to defend and protect each other and their country. When faced with a dangerous and impossible job, the only way to stay sane is to make fun of it, and each other.
Re: Army workshop appreciation thread
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2024 6:46 pm
by sweaty
I had a great time. The weather was very nice and, just down the road from the Patton Officers' Club, there was an incredible view of the Capitol, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Kennedy Center, and the Old Post Office.
The highlights for me were the Latin Power Quartet, the Interservice Euphonium Choir conducted by Brian Bowman, and seeing my son play in Carol Jantsch's master class. However, I don't see these on their YouTube channel.
Great to see familiar faces, meet new people, try out horns, and hear fantastic playing.
Re: Army workshop appreciation thread
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2024 7:19 pm
by graybach
sweaty wrote: ↑Sun Feb 04, 2024 6:46 pm
…The highlights for me were the Latin Power Quartet, the Interservice Euphonium Choir conducted by Brian Bowman, and seeing my son play in Carol Jantsch's master class. However, I don't see these on their YouTube channel…
They posted this on their Facebook page:
“Unfortunately because of the venue change, we will not be able to livestream the daytime events. However, we will try to capture as much video as possible and post at a later date.”
…and it looks like the postings they do have are on the main
US Army Band YouTube page and not the dedicated workshop pages as in years past.
Re: Army workshop appreciation thread
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2024 12:07 pm
by Rick Denney
The roof at Brucker sprung a leak causing bits of the ceiling to become one with the floor, and that is the reason for the last-minute venue change. But the weather cooperated and the significant effort required to get into alternate venues paid off.
In some ways, I liked the Elephant Room facility at Spates more, because there were accessible side rooms. But it did have a low ceiling, which I’m sure increased the headache factor.
The performance spaces both on base and at Schlesinger Hall in the evenings were perfect, but I bet not inexpensive.
I wish we could have reading sessions that don’t seem like an afterthought.
The performances in the evenings were superb—great music not the least bit academic and showing off control, lyricism and beauty more than acrobatics. Well done to all the performers and the accompanying Army Band and Orchestra musicians.
Rick “even the bowling alley food service was a bit more reliable than in the past” Denney
Re: Army workshop appreciation thread
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2024 1:10 pm
by LeMark
I agree with you about spates. The little private rooms off the side were fantastic
Re: Army workshop appreciation thread
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2024 3:17 pm
by kingrob76
The "other" Community Hall had pool tables in the room last year and my understanding was they are still there. The Trombone Workshop used Spates last year which paved the way. +1 for Spates for the Elephant room. I hated the acoustics at Schlesinger for the soloists. The orchestra and band sound great, but, the soloist sound got lost a little bit live - the live stream and recordings do NOT have this problem.
Brucker Hall has all KINDS of problems. Speaking to people who would know, the roof has leaked off and on since the building opened. My friend at the Army Corps of Engineers tells me they may have to get involved if Base Maintenance isn't up to the job. Frankly, that building is closing in on half a century and too small IMHO, but major renovation probably aren't in the budget.
The guys at TUSAB also get a +1 for running a really good event each year. This event is under-attended annually for what it provides.
Re: Army workshop appreciation thread
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2024 3:22 pm
by arpthark
Hoping I can make it next year! I am disappointed that no one took Instagram-worthy bowling alley food photos...
Re: Army workshop appreciation thread
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2024 7:46 pm
by TubaRay
LeMark wrote: ↑Sun Feb 04, 2024 11:02 am
Its hard to put into exact words why I love the Army workshop so much, but let me try to put it into words. Please add your sentiments to this thread and I'll make sure it gets to the people that need to see it
I don't know why I love the army workshop so much, but it probably has a lot to do with the fact that one of my former students that I still stay in frequent contact with is in the army band, and going gives me time to spend with him
Maybe it's because it's free, where ITEC is rather expensive
Maybe it's because there is something here for players of all experience levels, and it doesn't just cater and relate to the academic crowd
Maybe it's because it's held every year in the same location, and ITEC is every other year, and sometimes isn't even on the same continent as the vast majority of its members
Maybe it's because the focus is squarely on the music, and not an opportunity to puff up an academic profile
Maybe it's because when I get out of the car in the parking lot, I can stare over the short wall and view the perfectly aligned tombstones of Arlington National Cemetery
Maybe because it's short enough that I feel like I don't have to give up a week of work to enjoy the full experience
Maybe I love seeing the different branches of the armed services working and performing together, instead of being snarky and divisive
Maybe it's because the concerts are actually worth attending with diverse and entertaining music, with more than just solo recitals that appeal only to academics. Brass bands, quartets, mass ensembles, too many combinations to mention, of course along with the fabulous Orchestra and concert bands.
Maybe it's just fun
I agree 100% with Mark's points. The Army Band conference is really special. I was disappointed that they chose to have only one reading session and proceeded to end that one after only 40 mins. From my point of view, the ONE reading session was administered with little energy.
Regardless, the conference was very much worth attending. Enough for me to fly there from San Antonio. I look forward to next year.
