|
|
|
History - ITF2001
Sound Clips of ITF2001
In 1971, the first National Trombone Workshop took place at George Peabody College for Teachers, as a brainchild of Henry Romersa. The event lasted five days and attracted more than 130 participants. The following year, the second National Trombone Workshop resulted in the formation of the International Trombone Association and the election of its first president, Tom Everett. The rest is history.
In an attempt to capture some of our past for the 2001 ITF, an event was organized that allowed participants to step back in time. While the evening concerts were generally not tied to the theme - Honoring the Past, Looking Toward the Future - each day's events were designed to represent a different decade of ITA's history: Monday, May 21 - the 70's; Tuesday, May 22 - the 80's; and Wednesday, May 23 - the 90's. The final day, Thursday, May 24, was reserved mostly for things "new," such as emerging artists, premieres, or the use of technology in trombone playing.
Monday
Monday was the first full day of activity for ITF 2001. Buddy Baker and Tom Streeter started things off with 8:00 warm-up sessions. At 8:45 Michael Millar moderated a panel discussion with Hollywood legends Dick Nash and George Roberts. Great stories and laughs were enjoyed by all. At 10:45 Chicago Symphony Bass Trombonist Charles Vernon presented a solo recital that included the James Pugh Concerto (on a tenor trombone with two Greenhoe valves), the premiere of Illuminations by Howard Buss, and the re-premiere of Eric Ewazen's Down a River of Time. This piece was originally written for oboe.
The James Madison and Arkansas State University Trombone Choirs kept the music going at noon as participants enjoyed lunch. Multiple events filled the 1:00 hour, including a clinic/concert with George Roberts and excerpt coaching sessions with Susan K. Smith and Wagner Polistchuk. Phil Wilson shed light on the art of improvisation at 1:45. Legendary soloist and innovator Stuart Dempster took the stage at 3:00. At 7:30, the University of Oklahoma, University of Central Oklahoma, and Oklahoma City University joined forces to open for the Boston Brass. The quintet's program was received with enthusiasm.
Tuesday
John Marcellus and Don Hough led Tuesday’s warm-up sessions. Carsten Svanberg took the stage at 8:45 to discuss articulation adjustments between solo and orchestral playing. The winners of the Kai Winding and Emory Remington trombone ensemble competitions performed at 10:45. The University of Texas and Eastman were the respective winners. Phil Wilson made a guest appearance with the Winding winners and George Roberts joined the Remington choir.
The trombone choirs of Ball State and Capitol University accompanied lunch. The 1:00 hour showcased winners in five of the ITA scholarship competitions. The winners, Dan West, James Williams, Jonathan Lombardo, Clifford Dale Moore II, and Jussi Vuorinen all performed beautifully. English jazz trombone legend Don Lusher spoke and performed at 2:00. At 3:15 ITF faculty members Carsten Svanberg, Susan K. Smith, James Miller, Steven Brown, and Lawrence Borden shared a solo recital. The evening concert opened with the University of North Carolina-Greensboro trombone choir. The Trombones de Costa Rica were the main event, and they did not disappoint. Let's hope that we hear much more from this fantastic ensemble in the future.
Wednesday
Tony Baker and Steven Parsons kicked off Wednesday with their thoughts on warming up. Jeannie Little discussed a musical approach to Bordogni at 8:45. Brazilian trombonist Wagner Polistchuk performed a solo recital of primarily Brazilian music at 10:45. The University of Nebraska and Middle Tennessee State trombone choirs took their turn entertaining the lunch crowd.
Participants had a tough choice at 1:00, with presentations by Jean-Michel Defaye and Jim Roberts and excerpt coaching with Steven Brown and Carsten Svanberg. Jim Miller shared his audition experiences and philosophies at 2:00. Montreal Symphony second trombonist Vivian Lee gave a clinic/master class at 3:15. The Weekend Warriors stormed the stage with great enthusiasm at 4:30. Irv Wagner conducted while Michael Millar and George Roberts performed solos. The William Cramer Choir, led by Tony Parsons, performed arrangements from the recording, The London Trombone Sound. Tom Ervin joined the group as guest soloist on a number of pieces. Nat Wickam’s trombone choir from the University of Northern Colorado opened the evening concert. The Faculty Showcase Recital included performances by Jeannie Little, Dave Taylor, James Markey, Vivian Lee, and Jacques Mauger.
Thursday
The final day of ITF 2001 started with warm-up sessions by Brad Edwards and Paul Pollard. Jacques Mauger took the stage at 8:45. He was joined by the Eastman trombone choir for a performance of a new Jean-Michel Defaye composition. At 10:45 James Markey gave his thoughts on being a complete musician. The University of Tennessee trombone choir rocked the cafeteria at noon.
Innovator and genius David Taylor kept his audience entertained, enlightened and amazed at 1:00. The finals of the Lewis Van Haney competition also took place at 1:00. At 2:00 Bob McChesney proved he is a master of the doodle tongue. Lawrence Borden finished the afternoon with a very informative presentation on the learning process. The final concert of ITF 2001 kept audience members on the edge of their seats for over two hours. The United States Army Blues performed with highest degree of quality and professionalism. Each member of the trombone section performed impressive solo features. Soloists Dave Taylor and Jacques Mauger and guest conductor Vern Kagarice joined the Blues to premiere Jazz No End by Jean-Michel Defaye. The piece and the performance brought the audience to their feet. The final portion of the concert featured first rate performances by Phil Wilson and Bob McChesney. ITF 2001 was unforgettable. Don’t miss ITF 2002.
Paul Compton
|
|
|
