Sunday, January 27, 2013 | by Rick 
Last week I was invited to do a Q&A with the Penn State University's Daily Collegian newspaper. Freshman music journalist Samantha Cressman did a nice job!
You can read it HERE.
Saturday, January 26, 2013 | by Rick 
In this YouTube video, David Byrne, frontman of the Talking Heads, gives a 15-minute TED talk. His thesis is quite interesting: through the ages, musical styles and performance practices have evolved to suit their performing venues.
I'd never considered this idea before, and his case is compelling. In so many words, I think Byrne suggests that...
Saturday, January 12, 2013 | by Rick 
I just got word that the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra (as they are billed), is looking for a new 3rd Trombone player.
The winning candidate will begin touring with them on February 4. I don't have the audition requirements, but I expect that they will involve emailing mp3s and/or YouTube links.
Get all your questions answered by emailing gmoroadmanager@yahoo.com
If you find out more details, let me know and I'll post them here.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013 | by Rick 
My old friend—and long-time GMO lead alto player—Kevin Sheehan just notified me of this gig:
The Glenn Miller Orchestra announces the lead tenor saxophone vacancy beginning February 17, 2013. Candidates must be a US citizen with a valid passport and willing to commit to the end of the year.
In addition to the prepared audition excerpts (see links below), ensemble and solo excerpts should be included. These excerpts are at the discretion of the candidate and each excerpt should be...
Saturday, December 29, 2012 | by Rick A student of mine (Noah, a 10th grade aspiring trumpeter) just turned me on to this video. Noah's teacher hipped him to it as an illustration of the relaxed-yet-focused states of the performers. Indeed!
It's a live studio session with Freddie Hubbard as a featured soloist with an A-List LA studio band. Hairstyles and fashion indicates early 1980's. Anyhow, the writing is quite interesting (by screen composer Allyn Ferguson) and the playing is inspiring all around.
Dig it!