BETWEN TUBAS AND EUPHONIUMS: KEVIN WASS

Hello Everyone

My name is Harold Hernandez Lozano. I'm a Tuba / Euphonium, Repertory Orchestra and Chamber Music Profesor and have been a member of ITEA since 1996.

For me it is an honor to be able to interview for my blog and share it with you to the president of the ITEA. Who is also one of the guests at the AETYB MADRID 2018 Suprarregional Festival and will participate in my Debate on the DIFFERENT TEACHING SCHOOLS OF THE TUBA AND THE EUPHONIUM

Without further ado, let's start:

Name and Surname:

Kevin Wass

Which instrument/s do you use:

Contrabass and Bass Tubas, Euphonium (owned by my school), Cimbasso (owned by my school)

Manufacturer and model of the instrument/s that you use:

Contrabass Tuba (CC):  Alexander 163

Bass Tuba (F): B&S 3100W “JBL Classic”

Euphonium: Hirsbrunner (owned by Texas Tech University)

Cimbasso: Wessex (owned by Texas Tech University)

Manufacturer and model of the mouthpiece/s that you use:

Contrabass Tuba: Schilke Helleberg II, Perantucci PT-88, Dillon Chris Olka CB2

Bass Tuba: Perantucci PT-64 and PT-65, Jeu Naturel Custom Wood Mouthpiece

Euphonium: Perantucci 5C

EDUCATION:
When and where did you begin your studies of the euphonium or tuba?

1984, Bill Reed Junior High School, Loveland, Colorado, USA

At what age?

13 years old

What reasons or circumstances led you to study this instrument?

We had too many good trombone players in our school band and no tuba players so I was asked to switch from trombone to tuba.

Who were your main teachers?

I did not study privately until college.

Dana College (BS, Music Education), 1989-93: Craig Fuller

Indiana University (MM, Perforamance), 1993-95: Harvey Phillips, Daniel Perantoni

University of Michigan (DMA, Performance), 1999-2002: Fritz Kaenzig

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Please leave us a little account of your experience as a soloist, member of chamber groups, orchestra, band, etc:

Orchestra/Band:

Disneyland All-American College Band, 1992

Music Academy of the West Festival Orchestra, Principal Tuba, 1993

Lincoln Symphony Orchestra (Nebraska, USA), Substitute/Extra 1995-99

Omaha Symphony Orchestra (Nebraska, USA), Substitute/Extra 1995-99, 2008

Honolulu Symphony Orchestra, Substitute/Extra, 2004, 2007

Lubbock Symphony Orchestra (Texas, USA), Principal Tuba, 2005-present

Keith Bryon’s New Sousa Band, 2009

Santa Fe Pro Musica (New Mexico, USA), Substitute/Extra, 2009

Santa Fe Opera Orchestra, Substitute/Extra, 2016-17

Brass Ensembles:

Palladium Brass, Omaha, Nebraska, USA, 1992-93

Plymouth Brass, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA, 1996-99

Concerto Soloist:

Fountain City Brass Band (Kansas City, Missouri, USA), Frontier Brass Band (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA), United States Army Orchestra, several collegiate bands and amateur ensembles

(Please write about your warm up exercise, experience and all about this)

I use Chris Olka’s “Drill of the Week” exercises on YouTube, Michael Davis’s “20-Minute Warm-Up”, Sam Pilafian and Pat Sheridan’s “The Brass Gym”, the James Stamp “Warm Ups and Studies”, the Herbert L. Clarke “Technical Studies”, the Bai Lin “Lip Flexibilities”, the William Bell/Abe Torchinsky “Bell Scales”, and various scale exercises in different combinations.  I like to use the set routines with accompaniment (Olka, 20-Minute, Stamp, and Brass Gym) to get started and then base the rest of my fundamental practice on what I’m working on at the time.  If it is a symphony week for me, I’ll emphasize low register and expansive sound, if it is leading up to a recital I’ll base what I’m doing on the repertoire I’m playing.  For example, I was recently preparing James Grant’s “Three Furies” and I included extra work on whole tone and octatonic scales over a four-octave range to prepare for the wide range and technical demands of this piece.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Please let us know what learning centers you have taught in (as a full time professor, visiting professor, courses, master classes, etc..)

Omaha (Nebraska, USA) Public Schools, Band and Orchestra Director, grades 4-6 and 9-12, 1995-99.

University of Nebraska-Omaha, Adjunct Instructor (Euphonium and Tuba), 1995-98

Dana College (Blair, Nebraska, USA), Adjunct Instructor (Low Brass), 1996-97

Texas Tech University (Lubbock, Texas, USA), Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, 2001-present

Las Vegas Music Festival, Artist/Faculty (Tuba), 2002-2006

TAKING OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST.
Here in Spain, in some centers it is considered that the bombardino / euphonium is an instrument that should have its own specialization and on the other hand some believe that, as an instrumentalist, one must know and master the tuba and the euphonium.

Could you give us your opinion on this and on how you would approach this issue in the interest of an education and training tailored to the necessary specialization that is required today?

I would love to see more euphonium/bombardino players get the opportunity to study with a specialist on their instrument from an early age.  At the same time, I understand that it is currently my responsibility to teach at least six euphonium majors at any given time and I take that responsibility seriously.  I was lucky to be in school with some outstanding euphonium players (Ben Pierce, Mitsuru Saito) and I learned so much from being around them.  I also went to every euphonium recital and master class I could early in my teaching years, taking notes and asking questions to make myself a better euphonium teacher.  I still do not play euphonium very well, but I think I have become a very knowledgeable teacher and a good example to my students, who will all teach instruments they do not play.

I encourage my tuba players to learn as much as they can about euphonium technique, repertoire, and pedagogy, and I encourage my euphonium majors to learn some tuba or trombone.  Most of my students go on to become band directors at the middle school (grades 5-8) or high school (grades 9-12) level, and they teach all instruments but will be counted on as “low brass specialists” in their schools.

If your current work takes place mainly as a teacher, please answer the following questions:

How do you organize your classes and the subject in general?

I work with a set Technique Syllabus that we use to start each lesson and that the students are expected to start their practice with each day.  This is how they learn many of the daily routines and exercises that I list above.

Each student in my studio performs on a Studio Recital each semester in addition to their end-of-semester jury (usually two separate pieces).  They also perform these pieces in a weekly Studio Class where they receive comments and tips for improvement from their peers.

All of my students typically play in our tuba-euphonium ensemble, which meets once per week for a two-hour rehearsal.  We play four concerts per year and typically take a trip to play at a regional or international tuba and euphonium conference.

In the fall, my first- and second-year students are put together into groups of 3-5 students for a weekly group lesson in addition to their weekly private lesson.  We work on practice habits, time management, and other skills in these lessons.

In the spring, I offer audition preparation as a separate class for both tuba and euphonium players.  While they all learn some standard excerpts in their band and orchestra placement auditions each semester, this gives the opportunity for more extensive and in-depth excerpt study for those who are hoping to audition for professional positions in the future.

How long are your classes? How often do they occur? Weekly, biweekly, several times a week?

Private lessons: 1 hour per week for each student

Group lessons: 1 hour per week for first and second year students (Fall semester only)

Ensemble Rehearsal: 2 hours per week for all tuba and euphonium students

Audition Repertoire: 2 hours per week for select students (Spring semester only)

Studio Class: 1 hour per week for all tuba and euphonium students

Do you think it is important that the student does public performances during his training years? If so, recommend  how many times you think it appropriate and from what age or course. Elementary, Professional, Superior?

I think it is crucial that students get as much public performance experience as possible.  In the US, we have very active public school music programs in grades 6-12, but they tend to focus mainly on large ensemble performance.  Students may play one solo piece per year for a special contest, and many students do not even study privately on their instrument.  We are starting to see this situation change, particularly in terms of more students studying privately, but I still think most students ages 13-18 do not get enough solo performing experience.

At the collegiate level, we try to get students to play more often in different settings.  I have my students perform solos a mínimum of two times a semester (four total performances of two different pieces), which is still not very much.  I also encourage solo competitions to help students get more experience, and I am also seeing more of my students get chamber music experience.

We do formal recitals at the third year for Music Education majors and third and fourth year for Performance majors.  Masters level students do one recital per year and Doctoral level students perform four recitals in three years.

I would like to see my students do more varying recitals, including performances outside of the tuba-euphonium community and outside of the academic setting.  I would also like to see more of them work on a program and then perform it multiple times in different settings.  These are also things I think all of us in the professional world could do better as well—playing for the “general public” beyond our own peers and really polishing a few pieces or a recital program through several performances.

Is there another professor  with your same specialty at the center where you teach?

No

A major part of the course curriculum is standardized and based on the idea that the student should master the solo repertoire, sometimes to the detriment of large group repertoire (Orchestra and Band), when in fact, the majority of tuba and euphonium players go on to be teachers and / or members of a band and to a lesser extent, an orchestra in the case of tubas.

In your opinión, how should one address this issue? How important do you think it is to include the learning and mastering of orchestral repertoire as part of the  course curriculum?

I think we have to be very balanced in how we prepare our students since we do not know exactly what they will be doing, what they enjoy doing, and where their opportunities will be.  We need to expose them to as many styles and genres as possible (who knows where latent abilities or interests might appear?) and we need to make sure that they are fundamentally sound on the instrument so that they are prepared for a wide variety of musical circumstances.

I emphasize fundamental skills of tone production and musicianship primarily in my teaching, and then work to apply those skills to different performance settings.  Sometimes, as in orchestral playing vs. solo playing, the demands of the music are so different that we need to address them in very different ways.  This is why I have a separate Audition Repertoire class, so that students who want to pursue advanced study in orchestral excerpts can do so.  At the same time, all of my students have to master some standard orchestral and band audition material through their placement auditions that take place every semester.

Please tell us what the admittance process is to enter your learning center

Students must be admitted to Texas Tech University based on their academic record and a written application.  Then they must audition to the School of Music for admission to any music degree.

What repertoire is required on the entrance exam?

Two contrasting selections of the student’s choice, major and minor scales, sight reading.

Do you suggest any particular repertoire?

I prefer to have students select their own repertoire and I encourage them to choose things that they play well and enjoy playing.  It is very hard for me to judge a student who is playing a piece that is far too difficult for him or her.  I would rather hear easy music played well than difficult music played “almost well”.

How many works are required and in what format (solo, with piano, etudes, etc.)?

Two pieces, student’s choice.  I hear solos, etudes, and band and orchestral excerpts depending on the student’s background and interests.  Piano accompaniment is not required.

Is there an obligatory piece? If so, what is it?

No obligatory piece.

About how long is the exam?

15 minutes, including the playing portion and a brief interview.

What aspects do you value most when deciding? Musicality, intonation, rhythm, ...?

I look at overall performance (tone production, musical maturity, preparation) combined with the student’s goals as outlined in the interview.  Are their career goals realistic?  Do they see studying at my institution as an opportunity or an entitlement?  Are their goals in line with what we offer as an institution?  For example, I do not have the knowledge and we do not have the resources to help a student launch a career in jazz and I would encourage such a student to study elsewhere.

If you had to choose (in a hypothetical situation,) would you have a preference between a tuba player or a euphonium player?

I base my teaching load on the needs of our ensembles and my ability to teach all of the students, so I need to have 6-8 euphoniums and 8-10 tuba students at all times.  Sometimes I am at minimum levels on both instruments but have more students I want to accept.  At these times, I look at the long-term studio numbers (who is graduating over the next two or three years, for example) and accept students as those numbers allow.

WORK DURING THE COURSE TRAINING
What kind of repertoire do you mostly work on with your students? Solo, with piano accompaniment, chamber music, ....?

We spend the bulk of our private lesson time on fundamental exercises and solo repertoire (mostly with piano, some unaccompanied). 

Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble is a mix of chamber music (3-6 parts) and medium ensemble (8-16 parts), both origianal works and transcriptions.

We address band and orchestral excerpts in an Audition Repertoire class each Spring semester.

What format does the graduate exam have? Solo concert, Recital with piano, ...?

BM: one half-length recital (Music Education), one half-length recital and one full-length recital (Music Performance)

MM: two solo recitals, one oral examination over all musical topics

DMA: two solo recitals, one chamber recital, one lecture recital, two written examinations (musicology and music theory), one oral examination (performance and pedagogy), a major document, and defense of the document

What programing does it have? Works of different styles and periods, ...?

BM: One standard work originally written for the instrument, one transcription of a peice written before 1900, other works to fill out the program.

MM: The first recital is standard works (one transcription, one major original work for tuba or euphonium, one unaccompanied work, other works to fill out the program.  The second recital can me more based on the student’s individual interests.

DMA: The first recital is typically standard works, the second solo recital is more based on the student’s interests and career goals.  The chamber recital is typically varied ensembles (not all brass quintet or low brass quartet) and the lecture recital is based on the major document.

Does the student select the works to be played? or are they chosen by the professor?

Students select the works but professor must approve the program.

Is there any work you would deem mandatory? If so, what?

I like all students to have performed the major works for the instrument by the time they finish a doctorate.  Since most of my graduate students come from other programs, we choose repertoire based on what they are still “missing” from the standards.  If I had to list the “standards” I am looking for:

Tuba: Hindemith Sonata, Vaughan Williams Concerto, Penderecki Capriccio, John Williams Concerto

Euphonium: Horovitz Concerto, Ellerby Concerto, Picci Fantasie Originale, Boccalari Fantasia di Concierto, Sparke Pantomime

SPEAKING OF TECHNICAL ISSUES:
Could you give us your opinion about:

the different concepts of sound and what characteristics define it, articulation, the types of instruments, literature, if you consider the influence of language and musical tradition important in the sound and way of playing?

To me, a great sound on any instrument is very resonant and easily produced (I find those almost always go together!).  The goal is to be able to reproduce on the instrument any sound that the artist can imagine.  Rather than just trying to make a “good” sound or the “right” sound on the instrument, we should be learning to manipulate sound so that we have a full palette of colors, articulations, dynamics, and gestures to better communicate with an audience.  Music is itself a language, and we cannot communicate effectively if we restrict ourselves to one or two vowels and a few basic consonants.

I think language has a great influence on musicianship beyond just articulation.  There have been many articles written on “articulate” languages  (Spanish, Italian) that use forward consonants and vowels resulting in brighter and clearer articulations on the instrument while darker vowels and gutteral consonants (Slavic languages) result in darker and heavier sounds and articulations.  Beyond this, I also find that native langauge changes the way we communicate.  Languages and literatures that strive for precision, for example, (German, English) lead people to strive for precision in musical communication.  Languages that are less precise in meaning and lend themselves to poetic expression (traditionally French, Spanish, Italian) lead musicians to expect expression and freedom in the ambiguity of musical language.  This is generalization and oversimplification, of course, but it seems to me that it would be difficult to learn a spoken and written language throughout one’s life without being affected by the characteristics of that language and its literature.

Talk a little about the making of tubas and / or euphoniums and mouth pieces:

Tell us about your experiences and likes of a particular manufacturer and why?

I have just changed both bass and contrabass tubas from piston (Yamaha YFB-822 and B&S Perantucci PT-7) to rotary (B&S JBL and Alexander 163).  I found I was looking for instruments with a lighter response and more flexible sound characteristics.  As mentioned above, I am less interested in a “great” sound than a sound that I can manipulate in many ways.  This is also why I am experimenting with such things as the Jeu Naturel wooden mouthpiece, which I use for almost all of my Baroque playing on the F tuba.  I still think the Yamaha and PT-7 are great horns (I actually sold both of them to students of mine) but it is not what I need right now for the kind of music I want to play and the way I want to play it.

I have always loved the sound of the Alexander tubas and it is exciting to finally own one.  They do have some quirks, but so far I am enjoying that instrument immensely.  Right now, I am really in love with the fat and resonant sound of the “classic” German rotary-valve tubas (I have also played on some Rudi Meinls and older Miraphones that I really like).

TO CONCLUDE:
In your experience, do you believe that the diversity of performers, instruments, and the opportunity to train in various specialized schools is becoming homogenized in the interpretative centers that are already established? (Example Russian, American, Germano-Austrian, English, etc).

I think there is a certain degree of homogenization that comes, but it is mostly due to a “best practices” sort of positive imitation that occurs from the proliferation of recordings and video on the internet.  We can hear the very best soloists, orchestral and band players, and chamber musicians from all around the world with a couple taps of our fingers, and it is only natural that we all steal something we like from each of the best of them.  Over time, many of us steal the same things and we start to sound more alike.

At the same time, individuality will always win out and will always ensure that progress continues.  We are musicians of our time as much as we are musicians of our places, and who knows what the future will bring?  The best players will always push the envelope and many of the rest of us will always follow in their footsteps by imitating some of the things they do.

Language and culture will also continue to influence musicianship as noted above.  In addition, the fact that we start out and grow so differently in each culture will continue to influence our musicianship, sound, and equipment choices.  Most tuba players in the US start out in public school band programs playing a B flat contrabass tuba and do not see a C tuba until they are 16-18 years old and very rarely see an F tuba until they are in college.  Other countries have students who start in brass band (maybe on tenor horn) and learn E flat tuba first.  Still others are trained in a National Conservatory system, where solo playing is emphasized from the beginning and F tuba may be the first instrument they play.  All of this will affect how one develops as a musician and tuba player.

I am very grateful for your kind attention and for answering my questions.

Thank you for involving me in this project—I enjoyed working my way through these questions!

Again, thank you very much. See you in Madrid

"ENTRE TUBAS Y BOMBARDINOS: CHRIS OLKA"

Hola a todos.

Ya casi terminando este periodo docente y acercándonos al mas que seguro exitoso Evento Supraregional que esta organizando AETYB con la ayuda y beneplácito de ITEA, les dejo esta entrevista con uno de los Tubistas mas reconocidos en el panorama instrumental de las Orquesta en EE.UU. Me refiero  a Christopher Olka , Tuba Solista de la Orquesta de Cincinatti en Ohio.

Chris Olka

Espero la disfruten Sin más comencemos.

Hola. Cuéntanos : 

¿Qué instrumento / s usas usualmente?

Tuba Baja, Euphonium, Sousaphone y Tuba Tenor.

Otro: Cimbasso

Que fabricante y modelo de instrumentos que utilizas:

 Tuba Yamaha 826S CC,  Tuba Miraphone Petruschka Fa y un Cimbasso Dillon/ Jin Bao en Fa 

Que modelo de boquillas que usas:

Los Modelos Dillon Olka CB1 y CB2 y B1

Hablemos de tu formación:

¿Cuándo y dónde realizaste tus estudios de Tuba?

En 1986 (escuela secundaria) los inicie. Entre 1990-1996 en la Universidad Central de Florida y de 1996 a 1998 en la Juilliard School 

¿A que edad iniciaste los estudios?

A los 14 años

¿Qué razones ó circunstancias te llevaron a estudiar este instrumento?

¡El director de la banda me hizo tocar tuba porque era el chico más grande de la banda!

¿Quiénes fueron tus principales maestros?

Warren Deck, Abe Torchinsky, Joe Alessi

EXPERIENCIA PROFESIONAL:

Por favor déjenos un pequeño recuento de su experiencia como solista, miembro de grupos de cámara, orquesta, banda, etc.

Trabajé como músico para Walt Disney Company entre 1989 y 1996, En Nueva York como Freelance de 1996 a 1999,  a continuación en la Orquesta Sinfónica de Seattle de 1999 a 2015, desde 2015 soy Tuba de la Orquesta Sinfónica de Cincinnati . (CSO)

Con la fila de Trombones  de la CSO y Joe Alessi.

Cuéntanos tus experiencias para acceder a la plaza de Tuba que ocupas actualmente en la orquesta:

Hubo un anuncio internacional y la orquesta recibió más de 250 currículos. 

Luego invitaron a 146 candidatos a la audición en vivo. 

Después de escuchar a los 146 Tubistas, se redujeron a 12 candidatos en la ronda de semifinales.

Luego bajó a 4 en la ronda final y 3 en la ronda de Super-Final. 

Fui seleccionado de los últimos 3 participantes. 

Cada interpretación de cada ronda de los 146 aspirantes se realizó anonimamente detrás de una telón.

¿Cómo fue el proceso de selección?

Extremadamente difícil.

¿Qué piezas y/o solos orquestales eran obligatorias en las pruebas?

Sarabande de la Suite Bach Cello, se requirió una pieza para Tuba solo y también el Concierto de Vaughn Williams. 

Los extractos del repertorio orquestal incluyeron todas las obras principales. 

¡Ya no tengo la lista, básicamente, cada obra importante de cada compositor de la A-Z!

Chris con algunos de sus instrumentos.

¿Interpretaste alguna obra de libre elección?

No se incluyeron obras de libre elección.

En otro sentido:

¿Cómo es tu trabajo actual en la orquesta?

Extremadamente ocupado y a muy alto nivel. 

Por lo general, trabajamos 5-6 días a la semana durante 52 semanas con 5-6 semanas de vacaciones. 

La mayoría de las semanas tienen 2-3 conciertos de repertorio diferente. También tocamos todos los Conciertos de Pops, Opera y Ballet para las diferentes compañías en Cincinnati. 

Las giras nacionales e internacionales son regulares. La temporada pasada recorrimos China y Europa.

¿Lo combinas con otro grupo musical?

Actualmente también actúo en un quinteto con los principales musicos de metal de la CSO.

¿Qué recomendaciones le darías a futuros Tubistas que aspiran a una posición orquestal?

Pasar todos los días practicando técnica, solos y extractos de orquesta. 

Mientras que la mayoría de los Tubistas pasan mucho tiempo practicando el tocar fuerte, es probablemente más importante aprender a tocar suavemente, especialmente para la Tuba. 

Si tocas fuerte puedes ser contratado ... ¡Si sabes tocar suave te mantendrás contratado!

EXPERIENCIA EN LA ENSEÑANZA:

Indíquenos en qué centros de aprendizaje ha impartido clases (como profesor a tiempo completo, profesor visitante, cursos, clases magistrales, etc.)

Instructor de Tuba y Euphonium en la Universidad de Washington 2001-2015

ABORDANDO OTROS TEMAS DE INTERÉS.

Aquí en España, en algunos centros se considera que el Bombardino / Euphonium es un instrumento que debería tener su propia especialización y, por otro lado, algunos creen que, como instrumentista, uno debe conocer y dominar la Tuba y el Euphonium.

¿Podría darnos su opinión sobre esto y sobre cómo abordaría este tema en interés de una educación y capacitación adaptadas a la especialización necesaria que se requiere en la actualidad?

De Recital

Creo que el bombardino es un instrumento especializado y debe ser enseñado e interpretado por un especialista. Las escuelas más grandes y los conservatorios deberían tener un maestro para Tuba y otro para Bombardino por separado.

En su opinión, ¿cómo debería abordarse este problema? ¿Qué tan importante crees que es incluir el aprendizaje y el dominio del repertorio orquestal como parte del plan de estudios del curso?

Una parte importante del currículo del curso está estandarizada y se basa en la idea de que el alumno domine el repertorio solo, a veces en detrimento del repertorio de grupos grandes (Orquesta y Banda), cuando de hecho, la mayoría de los interpretes de Tuba y Bombardino pretenden ser Profesores y / o miembros de una Banda y, en menor medida, en una orquesta en el caso de las Tubas.

HABLAR DE CUESTIONES TÉCNICAS:

¿Podría darnos su opinión sobre: los diferentes conceptos de sonido y qué características lo definen,

articulación, los tipos de instrumentos, la literatura, si considera la influencia del lenguaje y la tradición musical importante en el sonido y la forma de tocar?

Mi concepto de sonidos depende del tipo de interpretación que estoy haciendo. Cuando estoy en la orquesta (mi trabajo principal) busco un sonido grande, claro y resonante que respalde la orquesta y se proyecte fácilmente. Debido a esto, elijo tocar instrumentos más grandes como tubas contrabajo 6/4 en Do y Sib, dependiendo del repertorio.

Cuando toco solo ó música de cámara, busco un sonido más pequeño, claro y brillante. Como tal, generalmente busco tubas en Fa de 4/4 ó 5/4 y Tubas en Do más pequeñas. Nuevamente, dependiendo del repertorio.

Para cualquier tipo de interpretación, la articulación es la misma. Claro, ligero y compatible con mucho aire detrás de los labios.

Creo que el idioma nativo de un músico de metal puede influir en su capacidad para articular. Los hispanohablantes tienden a tener una excelente articulación rápida, por ejemplo.

Hable un poco sobre la fabricación de tubas y / o eufonios y boquillas:

Cuéntenos sobre sus experiencias y gustos de un fabricante en particular y por qué?

Estoy muy interesado en los muchos fabricantes de Tubas actualmente. 

Lo más interesante es la nueva ola de instrumentos que se producen y diseñan en China. ¡Están haciendo excelentes instrumentos a muy buen precio! 

Las boquillas chinas ... ¡aún no son buenas!

Con su Tuba Yamaha 826S en Do

Mi elección actualmente en las Tubas va hacia Eastman y las Wessex, que tu conoces; junto con Miraphone.

Por favor háblanos sobre tus ejercicios de calentamiento recomendables, experiencias, etc.

Por favor, mira mi Canal de Youtube (Chris Olka) Ahí encontraras mucho mejor mi respuesta.

PARA CONCLUIR:

En su experiencia, ¿cree que la diversidad de intérpretes, instrumentos y la oportunidad de capacitarse en varias escuelas especializadas se está homogeneizando en los centros interpretativos que ya están establecidos? (Ejemplo: ruso, estadounidense, germano-austríaco, inglés, etc.).

Siento que hay un movimiento para volverse más uniforme en los estilos y tradiciones de tocar metales internacionalmente. Sin embargo, no creo que esto sea del todo positivo. 

Existen muchos estilos y tradiciones nacionales (uso de Fa y Sib en Alemania, uso de Mib en Inglaterra, etc.) que poco a poco se van perdiendo. 

Creo que los Conservatorios Nacionales en cada país deberían enseñar estándares internacionales, pero TAMBIÉN enseñar las tradiciones del país natal.

Estoy muy agradecido por su amable atención y por responder mis preguntas.

De nuevo muchas gracias.

Gracias a ti por esta oportunidad.

"BETWEN TUBAS AND EUPHONIUM: CHRIS OLKA"

Hello everyone

My name is Harold Hernandez Lozano. I'm a tuba / euphonium, repertory orchestra and chamber music profesor at the Jaén Conservatory of Music in Spain and have been a member of ITEA since 1996.

Almost at the end of this teaching period and approaching the more than certain successful Supraregional Event that AETYB is organizing with the help and approval of ITEA, I leave this interview with one of the most recognized Tubists in the instrumental panorama of the Orchestra in the USA. I mean Christopher Olka, Tuba Soloist of the Cincinatti Orchestra in Ohio.

Chris Olka

Without further ado, let's start:

Which instrument/s do you use:

Low Tuba, Euphonium, Sousaphone, Tenor Tuba.

Other: Cimbasso

Manufacturer and model of the instrument/s that you use:

 2 Yamaha 826S CC tubas,  2 Miraphone Petruschka F tubas,  1  Dillon/Jin Bao F Cimbasso

Manufacturer and model of the mouthpiece/s that you use:

Dillon Olka CB1 and CB2 and B1 models

EDUCATION:
When and where did you begin your studies of the euphonium or tuba?

1986 (Highschool), 1990-1996 University of Central Florida(B.M.), 1996-1998 Juilliard School (M.M.)

At what age?

14

What reasons or circumstances led you to study this instrument?

Band director made me play tuba because I was biggest boy in band!

Who were your main teachers?

Warren Deck, Abe Torchinsky, Joe Alessi

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Please leave us a little account of your experience as a soloist, member of chamber groups, orchestra, band, etc:

Worked as musician for Walt Disney Company 1989-1996, New York Freelance 1996-1999, Seattle Symphony 1999-2015, Cincinnati Symphony 2015 at present.

Tell us your experiences to access the orchestra place you currently occupy:

Play the CC Tuba Yamaha 826S

There was an international announcement and the orchestra received 250+ resumes. They then invited 146 candidates to the live audition. After listening to all 146 players, they narrowed down to 12 candidates in the semi-final round. Then down to 4 players in the Final round, and 3 in the Super-Final round. I was selected from the last 3 players. Every note of every round by all 146 players was played annonomously behind a blind-screen.

How was the selection process?

Extremely difficult, see last answer above.

What works and / or orchestral solos were there as mandatory in the tests?

C Minor Sarabande from the Bach Cello Suite played down 1 octave was required solo piece as well as Vaughn Williams concerto. The orchestral repertoire excerpts included all of the major works. I do not have the list anymore basically every major work by every composer A-Z!

Did you take any work of free choice? Which was?

No free choice repetoire was included.

In another sense:

How is your current work in the orchestra?

Extremely busy and very high level. We usually work 5-6 days per week for 52 weeks with 5-6 weeks of vacation. Most weeks have 2-3 concerts of different repertoire. We also play all of the Pops, Opera, and Ballet concerts for those companies in Cincinnati. National and International touring is regular. Last season we toured China and Europe.

Do you combine it with another musical group?

Currently I also perform in a brass quintet of the Principal Brass players for CSO.

With Joe Alessi and other Trombonists

What recommendations would you give future Tubistas aspiring to an orchestral position?

Spend every day practicing fundamentals as well as solos and orchestral excerpts. While most players spend much time practicing loud playing, it is probably more important to learn soft playing, especially for the tuba. Loud playing may get you hired...soft playing will KEEP you hired!

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Please let us know what learning centers you have taught in (as a full time professor, visiting professor, courses, master classes, etc..)

Instructor of Tuba and Euphonium at University of Washington 2001-2015

TAKING OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST.
Here in Spain, in some centers it is considered that the bombardino / euphonium is an instrument that should have its own specialization and on the other hand some believe that, as an instrumentalist, one must know and master the tuba and the euphonium.

Could you give us your opinion on this and on how you would approach this issue in the interest of an education and training tailored to the necessary specialization that is required today?

I believe that the euphonium is a specialized instrument and should be taught and played by a specialist. Larger schools and conservatories should have a teacher for both tuba and separately.

With some instruments.

How does he/she organize his/her classes?

A major part of the course curriculum is standardized and based on the idea that the student should master the solo repertoire, sometimes to the detriment of large group repertoire (Orchestra and Band), when in fact, the majority of tuba and euphonium players go on to be teachers and / or members of a band and to a lesser extent, an orchestra in the case of tubas.

In your opinión, how should one address this issue? How important do you think it is to include the learning and mastering of orchestral repertoire as part of the  course curriculum?

SPEAKING OF TECHNICAL ISSUES:
Could you give us your opinion about:

the different concepts of sound and what characteristics define it,

articulation, the types of instruments, literature, if you consider the influence of language and musical tradition important in the sound and way of playing?

My concept of sounds depends on the type of playing I’m doing. When in the orchestra (my primary job) I look for a large, clear, and resonant sound that will support the orchestra and easily project. Because of this, I choose to play larger instruments such as 6/4 Contrabass tubas in both CC and BBb depending on the repertoire.

When playing solo or chamber music I look for a smaller, clear, and brighter sound. As such, I usually look for 4/4-5/4 size F tubas and smaller CC tubas. Again, depending on the repertoire.

For either type of playing, articulation is the same. Clear, light, and supported with lots of air behind the lips.

I believe that the native language of a brass player can influence their ability to articulate. Spanish speakers tend to have excellent rapid articulation, for instance.

Talk a little about the making of tubas and / or euphoniums and mouth pieces:

Tell us about your experiences and likes of a particular manufacturer and why?

Recital

I am very interested in the many makers of tubas currently. Most interesting is the new wave of instruments being produced and designed in China. They are making great instruments for a very good price! Chinese mouthpieces….still not good!

My choice is currently going towards Eastman and Wessex, along with Miraphone.

Please, tell me about your warm up exercise, experience and all about this.

Please see my Youtube Channel (Chris Olka)

TO CONCLUDE:
In your experience, do you believe that the diversity of performers, instruments, and the opportunity to train in various specialized schools is becoming homogenized in the interpretative centers that are already established? (Example Russian, American, Germano-Austrian, English, etc).

I feel that there is a move to becoming more uniform in brass playing styles and traditions internationally. However, I don’t think this is entirely positive. There are many great national styles and traditions (German F and BBb use, British Eb use, etc) that are slowly being lost as time goes by. I think that National Conservatories in each country should teach international standards but ALSO teach traditions of the native country.

I am very grateful for your kind attention and for answering my questions.
Again, thank you very much.

Thanks to you