Archive for the ‘Inspiration’ Category

Why some learn faster.

Posted by drj October 4th, 2011

A great lesson for students of all ages.

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How to Eat an Elephant

Posted by drj May 21st, 2011

Q: How do you eat an elephant? A: One bite at a time.   OMG. HELP. I want to curl up in a ball and CRY. WTF? NO WAY MAN. It’s Impossible. I’m out. I quit. I can’t. I’m want to say that I’m embarrassed/ashamed to admit that I too, have had all of these [...]

Deep Thoughts at 3AM (My Educational Philosophy)

Posted by drj April 21st, 2011

As I am up FAR too late tonight- I had the opportunity (read here: obligation) to write down my current “Educational Philosophy”. A couple of things come to mind: First: This is what I believe now. Today. Check in month, decade, eon, and things surely will have evolved. Second: Rather than write a narrative about [...]

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MWM 5 – Live Panel at Summer Music 2010

Posted by drj July 8th, 2010

On Tuesday, July 6th, three outstanding trombonists came and played for the students at Summer Music to promote their upcoming recital at the Lafayette Public Library, July 18th, 7PM. Mr. Timothy Higgins (newly appointed principal trombonist of the San Francisco Symphony), Mr. Paul Welcomer (second trombonist of the San Francisco Symphony), and Mr. David Ridge [...]

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Meeting with Masters: Podcast Launch

Posted by drj November 26th, 2009

It’s the quick (and unofficial) launch of my new podcast: (submitting the formal RSS feed to iTunes today, but available now) Meeting with Masters: Thoughts on Music with people who don’t suck. Purpose: Share the life stories and musical insights of outstanding musicians, craftsmen, repair technicians, music businessmen, creative professionals, and people that impress me, [...]

Step up, Son, and be a musician!

Posted by drj November 22nd, 2009

Be still the cockles of my old bitter heart- that nearly brought tears. Wow. I posit a question to you, the trombone community, and tangentially address Allen’s question: HOW, as artists, teachers, humans, and musicians, do we/you convey to our students and the public en masse, that MUSICALITY, and specifically lyric playing of the sort [...]

Bill Watrous at Trombone Day – This Saturday, Hayward, CA FREE!

Posted by drj November 20th, 2009

Don’t miss trombone virtuoso, Mr. Bill Watrous, this Saturday at California State University, East Bay. Rarely do you get the opportunity to hear a world class musician playing and giving advice “in your backyard” for FREE. This event is graciously sponsored by Mr. Dick Akright at A&G Music, coordinated by Mr. Dean Hubbard, and hosted [...]

Podcast coming soon!

Posted by drj November 19th, 2009

Look out! “Meeting with Masters, or Thoughts on Music with people who don’t suck” is coming soon! Artwork candidate The premiere episode to feature Mr. Alex Iles, Los Angeles studio trombonist, pedagogue, orchestral musician, and inspiring human. Recorded episodes to come include:Mr. Rod Gilfry – 30 year career as an international Operatic Baritione, star of [...]

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Moment of Silence for Trombone Great: Steven Witser

Posted by drj April 29th, 2009

Steven Witser dies at 48; L.A. Philharmonic’s principal trombonist – Los Angeles Times The loss of a stellar player, teacher, and human: Steven Witser. I did not have the pleasure of knowing Mr. Witser personally, but I do have several close friends and colleagues who were students and friends of his–through which, I have learned [...]

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What made me weep like a baby. . . and impressed me to get moving again.

Posted by drj April 21st, 2009

You have no problems. I have no problems. It’s too easy to get overwhelmed, overloaded, pessimistic, and want to just “check out.” Don’t know what I’m talking about? (Must be nice to be an alien) For the rest of us, it’s the daily journey, challenge, and effort to keep on “keepin on” and make progress– [...]