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I have a few performances coming up, here is the rundown:

• October 17th – UA Wind Ensemble;  Copland/Ives Festival, Crowder Hall, 7:30PM
• October 22nd – UA Wind Ensemble;  Chamber Music Concert, Crowder Hall, 7:30PM
• Octuba 26th – Solo Performance;  Octubafest, Holsclaw Hall, 7PM
• Octuba 28th – Tuba Quartet/Tuba Ensemble Performances;  Octubafest, Holsclaw Hall, 7PM
• November 3rd – UA Concert Jazz Band, Crowder Hall, 7:30PM
• December 3rd – UA Wind Ensemble;  George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” Crowder Hall, 7:30PM

Check em out!

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Maybe when you have a real job and a career that isn’t based around the educational system New Year’s Day becomes a little more meaningful. But when you’re stuck in the confines of the education system (and plan to be for a looooooooooooooooong time) the new year feels like it occurs at the beginning of the fall semester. I’ve got lots to look forward to this year, Lessons with THE Kelly Thomas, Tuba Quartet, Prepping and Recording tapes for Falcone and ITEC, and just trying to throw down every day on the tuba. Toiling away for hours on end in practice rooms and ensemble rehearsals can be daunting and wear on you, but it is usually then I’m reminded of Gene Pokorny’s quote; “For those who regard music as something very special, there is an emotional reverence that goes beyond the notes. Moving quickly on holy ground is pointless, where the main thing is the journey itself”

Here’s to a Happy New Year and an exciting journey.

Training camp was a hoot and a half. Got there nice and early Friday morning and watched the team break up into different groups to work on more individual stuff. Stood up front for the linebacker drills, in which dropping the ball still requires 20 pushups. I also got to watch the 4 quarterbacks work on accuracy as they stood a fair distance away and tried to throw the ball into a trash can. (We’re talking only the best state-of-the-art equipment at training camp. Matt Leinart managed to bounce on in but I don’t think that would count in a game situation. Maybe the heckler whom Matty Ice asked, “You wanna throw the ball?” might have had better luck. I tried to return to camp on Saturday but was greeted by about 20,000 people, (this is more people than there used to be at home games at SDS). Luckily we found walking in front of the entire crowd the length of the field “looking” for a seat made for an unobstructed view. It was nice and cool up north which made for an enjoyable time. But now its time to engage in a bit of a “training camp” myself as auditions at theUofA are just a couple of weeks away. Booyah

-WH

I finished PHS’s 2009 Marching Band/London Tour Shirt! Time to celebrate!

Tomorrow I’ll be heading north for some Rn’R at the Arizona Cardinals Training Camp. I am anxiously awaiting the beginning of the season. And boy am I glad the team is really out there pushing hard and making every effort to recapture last year’s glory!

Back to Tucson on Monday to get ready for my first Wildcat semester!

From today though Tuesday I will in in Scottsdale, AZ at the Arizona Biltmore performing with the National Intercollegiate Band. Its sure to be a fun time as I will be working with the conductor emeritus of The Presidents Own, Colonel John R. Bourgeois, as well as renowned composer Mark Camphouse. It is put on in conjunction with the KKY/TBS National Convention and is the oldest running commissioning project to date. Sounds like a rousing good time with a lot of REHEARSAL.

Lately I have been fortunate enough to work with Prof. David Vining and his new brainchild, Mountain Peak Music. Mountain Peak Music is a DIY publishing company which is, “dedicated to providing innovative teaching tools designed to preserve the health and wellness and good technique of all musicians.” David Vining has enlisted himself and many other renowned music educators and performers to help spread this message. He has enlisted me to help design and maintain the logo and identity of the company, including creating advertisements as well as creating the book covers for his products. Be sure to check it out.