Had an absolutely awesome time as a guest soloist with the UNG Wind Ensemble playing the third movement of Journey by Brian Sadler while representing the 116th Army National Guard band. Could not have asked for a better concert to finish up several chapters and start several new ones, and it wouldn't have been possible without all the awesome people I've met along the way. Super excited to graduate and commit to a graduate school as I've been accepted to my top two choices and will be able to truly weigh my options before committing! Thank you to my awesome brother @jeplife17 for these awesome photos!
Awesome Adventure✅
Time to record❌
Drill five hours after these photos were taken✅
Time to sleep❌
Passing out as I finish this post✅
#tubaplayer #lowbrass #musicgrind #musicismylife
It is with a joyous heart I would like to announce I'm commiting to MTSU for my masters degree in Tuba Performance with Dr Combest. This is a decision I've long awaited to speak on but had to make sure some things behind the scenes went smoothly. Thank you so much to Dr Frey and Dr Combest for all their diligent work in making this happen. I have decided to go here so my experiences can be shared with a program that promotes positive and competitive comradery. Unfortunately there are some studios that promote elitism and classism and this is a notion I directly want to confront in my graduate studies. This program will both allow me to grow exponentially as a musician and person. The students are fantastic and motivated, super excited to start working with @mtsuschoolofmusic and @mtsu.tuba !!!!
This past week I finally finished my bachelor's recital "Nightmares and Dreams". This is a huge milestone for not only myself, but also every person who has given me a chance and helped me grow as a musician and person. I cannot describe into words how thankful I am for everyone in my life, and all of the gratitude I have for them and their efforts. All that being said this night was also about overcoming adversity, disability, and a multitude of other obstacles. Getting through all of the highs and lows during my life, especially the disabilities I've gained through the military, would not have been possible without my lovely fiance Madelyn. The rock of my life in so many ways, and I the same rock for her. We are now together for ever after she said a resounding YES!!!! I also had the absolute privilege of world premiering my first commission in the line of many from the great Frank Gulino titled "Looking Glass" and dedicated to my dear Madelyn as our engagement gift. I look forward to finishing my bachelor's degree this coming spring, and having the strength to continue would not have been possible without all of my amazing supporters/guides, but also all of the wonderful people who hate and despise me, you are all appreciated more than you know.
Here's to another great senior recital next semester! While not as special as this one, you can expect an even higher level of musical ship and fundamentals! Please utilize the link here to listen to the recording. I apologize for the @ung_musicdepartment awful projector that ruined the recording because of a loose screw that hasn't been fixed for several years now. It rings mainly on F# and G 3 but with the depth of tone and resonance from the tuba, it was constantly ringing throughout my entire recital. Please try to enjoy the playing aside from the noise😂.
/live/-PvqEEU0ZHs?si=XoPZr8vQw40qZ0wc
FORGOT TO MENTION MY SPINE SURGERY HAD A COUPLE COMPLICATIONS BUT ILL SURVIVE😂😂😂
Huge thanks to @_blake_howard for the awesome photos!!!!
First slide- Field journal drawing, I hate boar.
Second slide- Etude excerpt
Third slide- Etude excerpt
Fourth slide- AFOP excerpt
Good to be back, wasn't able to record because my equipment was on base, finally got it and ready to put more stuff out.
While these are NOT perfect excerpts(crazy long day of playing and rehearsals); I wanted to post the contrasting sounds of these two horns! This is really just to give an idea of the amount of overtraining the travel tuba really is when used in the right circumstances. It's helped my Bb tuba playing a lot when it comes to air control and embouchure confidence! Loving my @wessextubas Mighty Midget exponentially more everytime I get to play it and make some progress!
Slide 1- Armed Forces on Parade ( Yamaha Bb tuba) Slide 2- Armed Forces on Parade (Mighty Midget Bb Travel tuba)
Slide 3- Toccata (Yamaha Bb tuba) Slide 4- Toccata ( Mighty Midget Bb travel tuba)
#lowbrass #tubaplayer #trombone #musicgrind #musiclife
Loving my new travel tuba the Mighty Midget from @wessextubas , great for resistance training and playing in an apartment! It's also been a huge help for my back since my surgery, easy to carry and handle.
Slide 1- Little bit of Warriors Come Out to Play with some variation
Slide 2- Pretty French horn piece Nocturne No.2
#tubaplayer #lowbrass #musicislife #musicgrind #trombone
First slide- Underrated Snedecor
Second- A rough run of the opening third movement from Journey
Third- A snippet from my commission by Frank Gulino titled "Looking Glass"
Fourth- Awful run of toccata
Fifth- Snippet from my arrangement of "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables
#tuba #lowbrass #musicgrind
THIS POST IS NOT TO PROMOTE UNG. For the first time in UNG History, someone has won the UNG all campus concerto competition twice! Congratulations to everyone who completed in the concerto competition today! We had the best turnout of talent for a competition yet! That said the placers are as follows:
🥇1st-Peter A Pontes, Tuba
🥈2nd-Samuel Bota, Piano @sb_thep1anist1
🥉3rd-Westly Dalton, Euphonium @heythatswesley
🏅4th-AJ Lee, Euphonium @augustus_wii
🏅5th-Cuong Tran, Flute @cuongtran5161
Thank you so much to @adamfrey , @tuba.marcplacencia@alexwittmusic for always guiding me the right direction and motivating me to work harder no matter my issues. Thank you all for helping me make a little part of history together:)
