Fun Facts
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| What is your main instrument? |
My main instrument is “Tuba.” Apparently this is “too vague“ around here, however, since I’ve moved to the UK, my B-flat bass has seen the most use. |
| How long have you been playing? |
I started in grade five, at the age of ten. If I look at the math now, that makes... 25 years?! (Who let this happen?!) |
| Favourite Brass piece? |
Within the second movement of Phillip Sparke’s “Year of the Dragon,” there is a brief chorale that is supposed to inject a bit of optimism into an otherwise melancholy movement. I still have a hard time listening to those 30 or so bars without coming to tears. |
| Favourite band memory? |
I remember the very first time that I discovered brass bands (they are unfortunately not very common in the US.) I was invited to a concert by the Brass Band of Central Florida. The venue hall was way too small for the amount of sound the band was putting out; “overwhelming” as a word lacks the gravitas required to describe the power coming out of the band as they played their opening fanfare. That concert is largely responsible for my decision to leave my goals of being an orchestral player and to instead pursue “banding.” |
| How long have you been playing in the Egham Band? |
Unofficially for three years |
| Do you play any other instruments? |
As mentioned above, I play “Tuba,” which comes in 4 flavors, BB-flat, CC, E-flat, and F. I can and do play all of them, as well as Cimbasso. I also have a synthesizer which is very good for collecting dust in my office |
| If you could play one other brass instrument which would it be? |
I’ve given serious consideration to learning the Euphonium. It’s such a pretty sound, it’s easy to get swept up in it! |
| Favourite famous brass player? |
Arnold Jacobs was such an influential figure for brass musicians (and tuba players in particular,) that i would be remiss if I didn’t mention him here. I wouldn’t be the player I am today without his pedagogy. |
| What do you like best about The Egham Band? |
The Egham band is very much a family. They are wonderful friends and quick to help one another. It is a rare trait to find in any ensemble, not just a brass band. |
| Any other interesting fact about yourself? |
Due to my years of training in American marching bands, I find that as a force of habit I almost always begin walking starting with my left foot. |
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