The US Army Field Band sent its many chamber group components all across the nation during the last week in February. These mini-tours allowed members of the concert band to perform and interact in a more intimate setting than our large venues generally allow. Since the euphonium is not traditionally an instrument found in common chamber groups, (brass quintets, woodwind quintets, trios), I took the opportunity to strike out on my own and do some solo teaching and performing.
I was assigned an area near and dear to me heart- TEXAS! My parents house was less than two hours away from all the places I performed, so I was able to stay with them and take advantage of some home cooking as an added bonus!
My first visit on Monday, February 26th, was to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX. The tuba, euphonium and trumpet students gathered for an afternoon master class. Several of the students played for me, and I was able to demonstrate ideas and give them some pointers.
Here I am addressing the group. Hopefully, saying something wise!
Later that evening I performed an hour-long solo recital with piano. I played this program a total of four times. It was a wonderful experience for me to go out and take my own one-woman show on the road. Doing gigs night after night sure was a great way to work on endurance! My fabulous accompanist here is Ms. Ilonka Rus, faculty at SHSU.
I get my love of cooking from my Dad. He is the best Cajun cook I know, and also does a mean breakfast. Here is one of the amazing morning feasts, (french toast), I enjoyed while home. PT test is coming up, so I'm working off those calories now that I'm back in Maryland!
I was pretty busy while in Texas, but managed to catch some quality time with family in between gigs. Here is Grandma, enjoying the morning paper while the cat takes a cat nap behind her.
My second stop was in Brenham, TX at Blinn College. For those of you from the South, you might have heard of Brenham as the famous home of Blue Bell Homemade Ice Cream. It is the best ice cream on the planet, and one drawback to being stationed in Washington D.C. is the fact that you can't get it up here. I made a point to show up early on the day of my gig so that I had time to tour the Blue Bell Creamery. No cameras allowed inside, but here I am outside, near a model of one of the original refrigerated trucks they used to carry all that good ice cream around in.
After indulging in a little ice cream, I was back to work, hosting a clinic at Blinn College. This is a fantastic 2-year junior college that has a very strong music program. These students had lots of great questions about the Army and the many opportunities available for musicians in the Armed Forces. It was a good opportunity for dialogue and for these young people to hear and meet a representative who has decided to make a career in military music.
Here I am giving some advice after hearing one of the Blinn students perform a solo for me.
Can you believe that it actually snowed in Texas while I was there! After all the powdery stuff that we've been getting in Maryland, I was NOT pleased. It was somewhat of an anomaly for Brenham, and they ended up canceling classes that evening. Luckily, my recital went on as planned and there was a good turnout, despite the nasty weather.
I loved having my family there to hear me play. You always get great applause when you bring your audience with you! Here are members of the Veronie clan that made it out for the concert! These two brothers, two sis-in-laws, two nieces, mom & Dad are only a small sampling of my huge Cajun family. :)
The third stop on the hit parade was Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX. I showed up early in the morning on Wednesday, February 24th, for a rehearsal with the pianist I would perform with that evening. After the rehearsal, I had a chance to walk around the College of Music.
Here I am admiring my recital advertisement on a digital marquee that was in the music building lobby.
As with the other universities, I gave an afternoon master class for brass students. Here is a pic of a student playing for me. The evening recital went very well and I was officially done with the solo recital gigs. That meant my next two engagements were less pressure, playing-wise. They did end up being challenging in a different way.
On Thursday I went to The Woodlands High School and worked all day listening to their tuba and euphonium kids one-on-one. In addition, I ran a sectional and held a clinic at one of the middle schools. This was very unique, and gave the high school students a chance to ask very specific questions about music and the military.
Friday was my last day in Texas and I saved the most fun for last. I returned to my hometown of Willis, TX and interacted with students who sat in the very same chairs I did back in the day! Going to my middle and high school alma maters was such a treat; in particular, seeing two of my former teachers. The kids really enjoyed hearing the pieces I played for them, and had SO many questions.
I think my favorite questions were, "What is your favorite gun to shoot?," How loud can you play?," and "how much money do you make?" Haha! It was fun to field so many Army questions. In the band-arena, I don't deal with weapons and deployment on a daily basis, as do some units. However, being in touch with what is going on in the Army and having the training and background in those areas helps us be more effective ambassadors. I did my best to answer every question I could, and hopefully those kids came away with a much better understanding of not just the Army Bands Program, but the Army in general.
This last picture is with my middle school band director, Dr. Jim Hill, who is still teaching in Willis. It was great to catch up with so many wonderful people, from teachers to family. The entire week was a wonderful musical experience. It was nice to know that I made some difference in my small way as a soldier-euphoniumist.
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