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Summer
Trombone Workshop 2007
by Karl Wiederwohl, Participant
The 2007 Summer Trombone
Workshop in Philadelphia was without a doubt a valuable experience for
me. It was a demanding eight days
of trombone choir, quartets, lessons and master classes. With recitals by all three faculty--Trio
Hidas, as well as an open rehearsal, performance by, and roundtable
discussion with the trio it was a wonderful opportunity to be immersed in
the challenges as well as the allure of the trombone.
During the concentrated eight
days a fair amount of intimacy developed between everyone at the
workshop. The sharing that went on
certainly broadened my perspective on the trombone and the role it plays in
our lives. The spectrum of auditors
and participants ranged from professional to those on the cusp of college
trying to decide how the trombone will fit into their studies and life in
the real world.
It was obvious many of the
workshoppers had already taken the plunge--committing themselves to the
quest of becoming professional trombonists. A high level of young talent was displayed throughout, and
the level of the amateur trombone enthusiast playing was also admirable.
Schools represented at the
2007 workshop include but are not limited to Curtis, Indiana, Interlochen
Arts Academy, Manhattan, Mannes, Maryland, NEC, Peabody, and Queens
College.
Days typically began with two
hours of trombone choir rehearsal, followed by two or three hours of master
classes in the afternoon along with a private lesson on certain days. Quartet coachings were typically in the
early evening, and at the prime-time hour there was often a faculty
performance. One highlight of the
2007 workshop was being able to attend a Philadelphia Orchestra
concert. An all Tchaikovsky program!
There was enough time for
personal practice as well as scheduling quartet rehearsals, but sometimes
it did take considerable time management to be sure all the music was
learned that needed to be learned while maintaining the level of the solos
or excerpts one planned to play in master classes and lessons. This was a challenging aspect of the
workshop, but it’s good training.
Perhaps the most valuable
aspect of the workshop was being able to hear, observe, and interact with
three wonderful faculty members, each clearly unique.
The care and seriousness the
faculty brought to the workshop was felt by all.
I have a nose for
disingenuousness, and I despise elitism.
Frankly, I was surprised and very happy to see that these three
heavy hitters really cared about offering their best to the students. I kept a close eye on all three, just
waiting for one of them to “phone it in,” and it never happened. My faith in professional musicians is
half restored. If only we all
approached our craft with the same integrity.
Their approaches to mentoring
cover a wide range. To paraphrase
another workshopper, Haim Avitsur is the demanding yet caring father,
Nitzan Haroz is the nurturing grandfather, and Dave Taylor is the eccentric
uncle.
All three play the trombone
superbly, but the similarity of their daily professional lives ends
there. This diverse trinity offered
the workshoppers a genuine perspective on life as a pedagogue, freelancer,
and full-time salaried trombonist respectively.
Witnessing them bring their
unique talents and tastes together for a tour de force trio concert was such
a treat. If you haven’t heard these
guys play the Poulenc trio arranged for trombones, you don’t know what
you’re missing.
The fantastic Trio Hidas
concert served as the heart of my workshop experience. I don’t know if they planned it that way
or not, but it certainly makes sense that this inspiring display of
communicative artistry served as the fulcrum of a workshop dedicated to
just that.
I would recommend this
workshop to anyone. Even if you’re
already the world’s greatest orchestral trombonist, or teacher, or
freelancer/soloist/chamber musician someone at the STW will have something
to offer you.
I would be remiss without
expressing heartfelt thanks to Haim for his Herculean effort organizing and
prosecuting the workshop. My thanks
also to Nitzan, Dave and all my fellow participants/auditors for an
experience, which has broadened my perspective, tested my mettle, and
steeled my resolve to make a unique contribution to our art form.
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