Leonhard Paul of Mnozil Brass joins Andrew & Lance for a spectacular conversation about the phenomenon that is Mnozil Brass. Over the last 24 years, Mnozil Brass has charted a path that is completely unique and continues to amaze audiences all over the globe. Leonhard explains how they plan and develop their shows, pieces and stage settings. He goes on to talk about the development of the YouTube sensation Lonely Boy. From learning how to work a crowd to the subject of "lip disability", this...
Aug 30, 2016•1 hr 14 min
Andrew & Lance have a new episode format in this installment. They tell some of their favorite Boston Brass stories including their first gigs, the time Lance almost died in Austria, and how Andrew once had to have his tuba repaired in three separate continents all within the same month. Let us know if you would like this new format and if you would like to hear more stories. We will always continue to bring you interviews with the best of the best but are looking for ways to occasionally br...
Aug 16, 2016•1 hr 4 min
Andy Balio, Principal Trumpet of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra join Andrew & Lance in a fascinating and far reaching conversation. From his time with some of the greatest orchestra on the planet to the four years he spent at an ashram, Andy's story is endlessly fascinating. We also cover his role at the Future Symphony Institute and talk about many of the issues facing professional orchestras today. Oh, and there are sheep. Like, a lot of sheep. Links: Website BSO Bio Future Symphony Inst...
Aug 02, 2016•1 hr 7 min
Composer, conductor and recovering trumpet player Brian Balmages sits down with Andrew and Lance despite his better judgment. Bran started on the piano, goes on to explain how he writes and orchestrates his pieces and talks about the disconnect which sometimes occurs between what he thinks will be popular and what ends up being so. He talks about why he likes working with groups and we learned that he has no ability to make International Date Line jokes. Links: Website FJH Music Soundcloud You c...
Jul 19, 2016•1 hr 3 min
Two of the members of C Street Brass/Beauty Slap, Hakeem Bilal and Gabriel Colby, sit down with Andrew & Lance in a fun conversation about these cool new interconnected groups. C Street and Beauty Slap are a sort of Jekyll and Hyde hybrid with C Street functioning as a brass quintet and Beauty Slap a brass quartet plus DJ, giving them the opportunity to play to a wide set of audiences. Most recently they shared the stage with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and we have fun exploring where ...
Jul 05, 2016•1 hr 1 min
World-renowned tuba player Patrick Sheridan sits down with Andrew & Lance and the three of them foolishly try to have a normal conversation. From his early start as the renowned soloist on "Hey Mr. Banjo" in elementary school, to his time in The President's Own Marine Band and his MBA from the University of Michigan, Pat details his journey. He is currently the conductor of Salt River Brass in Arizona and is one of the founders of the Band Director Academy in Oregon. Oh, and he and Lance may...
Jun 21, 2016•1 hr 8 min
Trombonist and probable alien Harry Watters sits down with Andrew & Lance and hilarity ensues. Harry has had an amazing career, including a four year stint with the Dukes of Dixieland before detours to Las Vegas and his current position in Pershing's Own Army Band. Harry has played with just about everybody on the planet and give us some tips on learning improvisation. He may or may not also have been present at a casino during a takeover by the Feds. Links: harrywatters.com Harry's Latest R...
Jun 07, 2016•1 hr
Tage Larsen, 4th/utility trumpet with The Chicago Symphony sits down with Andrew & Lance for a fascinating look at his highly successful (and highly diverse) career. Tage spent time in The Marine Band, Dallas Brass and the St. Louis Symphony before his current position and he explores what he likes about playing 4th/utility. We also get into the role of classical music in society and the notion that we should have sincerity in all that we do. Shockingly, he only uses one mouthpiece. That's w...
May 24, 2016•1 hr 3 min
Mike Colburn, former Commander and Conductor of The President's Own Marine Band in Washington, D.C., speaks with Andrew and Lance about his impressive career. Colonel Colburn (or "kernel" as Lance like to call him) recently retired from a long and distinguished career, which began as a euphoniumist (probably a word.) He is now the Director of Bands at Butler University and believes in living a forward-focused life. Oh, and he suffered a severe wally-ball injury and has a thing for ficus trees. L...
May 10, 2016•1 hr
Matt Vaughn, Co-Principal Trombone with the Philadelphia Orchestra sits down with Andrew & Lance in a fun and wide-ranging conversation. Matt talks not only about his highly successful career, but about what it is like being a twin, what he listens for in auditions and what it was like to take on the role of Mother Teresa in Air Force Basic Training. Oh, and he once played a gig at Cedar Point with his pants down. Allegedly. Links: Matt's Website Philadelphia Orchestra bio Book: No More Mr. ...
Apr 26, 2016•55 min
Chad Winkler, fourth/utility trumpet with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra joins Andrew & Lance in person in front of an audience at Duquesne University. From an early start as an award-winning pianist, to studies with his father, Chad explains what it took to win the gig of his dreams. Chad explains what it was like to study with his father at West Virginia University and (of course) gets into a lively hockey debate with Andrew. The term “puck the face” may or may not have been used repeat...
Apr 12, 2016•55 min
Chris Castellanos, horn player from Boston Brass joins Andrew & Lance from Flower Mound, Texas, and explains that he (unlike Andrew & Lance) is not a quitter! From growing up in Las Vegas, to playing in the pit of “Phantom” well over 1,000 times and witnessing a flying trombone, Chris unpacks his versatile career. He also details his time in three of the most popular brass quintets on the scene today, Boston Brass, Dallas Brass and (most importantly) the Orange Chicken Quintet. Links: ww...
Mar 29, 2016•1 hr 4 min
Brass legend Dan Perantoni, Provost Professor of Tuba at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, joins Andrew & Lance to discuss how he initially dreamed of being a jazz pianist. Thankfully for all of us, he ended up participating in nearly every important milestone in the development of nearly every important milestone in tuba-dom in the last 50 years. Dan shares stories about Harvey Phillips, Rich Matteson, Don Knaub and the St. Louis Brass Quintet. He explains how he got into Eastm...
Mar 15, 2016•52 min
JD Shaw, Associate Professor of Horn at the University of South Carolina and former colleague (inmate) of Andrew & Lance in Boston Brass, becomes the first repeat guest. In March and April of 2016, JD, Andrew, Lance and pianist/composer/moonbat David Cutler will be joining forces for a series of concerts under the name "Cones and Tones." JD explains the genesis of the group, talks about the upcoming program and what it is like to write for the group. Additionally, he talks about how the mark...
Mar 01, 2016•1 hr 1 min
Colin Williams, newly tenured Associate Principal Trombone with the New York Philharmonic joins Andrew & Lance in a very frank and honest discussion about recovering from chop injury. Colin also sets Andrew's heart aflame, describing his experience playing w/Trey Anastasio from Phish, talks about what it is like working w/Joe Alessi (spoiler alert, it's pretty good), and his thoughts on what makes for effective orchestral management. Oh, and he hates wearing tails. Like a lot. Links: Colin's...
Feb 16, 2016•1 hr 8 min
Multi-talented Brazilian Fernando Deddos joins Andrew & Lance to discuss how he manages to be annoyingly successful as a euphonium player, composer, pianist and (soon to be) college professor. Fernando explains how his dream to become the first person in Brazil with a doctorate in euphonium is about to come true and shares his hopes for fostering future generations of musicians in his home country. He also talks about a variety of Brazilian styles, the vital role the euphonium and ophicleide...
Feb 02, 2016•1 hr 4 min
Dan Gosling, creator of ChopSaver, joins Andrew & Lance to discuss how he created ChopSaver and brought it to market. From experimenting in his kitchen to arriving on the shelves of 7,000 CVS stores, Dan shares his fascinating story. He also talks about how to break into a freelance playing market, the importance of being a nice person and why ChopSaver was almost caller Pucker Upper. Website: ChopSaver Links: Facebook Paige's Music @chopsaver @chopsaverguy YouTube #savemychops You can help ...
Jan 19, 2016•1 hr 10 min
Dave Zerkel, Professor of Tuba/Euphonium at the University of Georgia joins Andrew & Lance to discuss how he nearly became a meteorologist snake doctor. He recounts the path of his career, from standing very still in the Army Band, to teaching at Illinois State (after the retirement of his teacher, Ed Livingston) and on to his current position at the University of Georgia. He also talks about how the industry has changed in the last twenty years, how he helps guide his students to success an...
Jan 05, 2016•1 hr
John Rojak of the American Brass Quintet joins Andrew & Lance to discuss portfolio careers and chamber music. John also discusses how the American Brass Quintet finds and commissions new pieces. He also talks about how he got started and why he sometimes has to explain ledger lines to composers. Website: John Rojak Links: American Brass Quintet Julliard NYU The Hartt School You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunki...
Dec 21, 2015•59 min
Magically Fearless (Fearlessly Magical?) Jeff Nelsen joins Andrew & Lance to discuss his diverse and fascinating career. Jeff explains how he got started and progressed from orchestra playing to a stint with Canadian Brass and on to his current role teaching horn at Indiana University. He also talks about his newest project "Fearless Performance," his TEDx talks (and hosting) and how studying magic compares to studying music. We also get to hear about his Rainbow Wand. Website: Jeff Nelsen L...
Dec 08, 2015•1 hr 6 min
Jeff Conner of Boston Brass joins Andrew & Lance to discuss how Boston Brass got started. Jeff also explains what it takes to run a full-time touring group and how things have (and haven't) changed over the last 30 years. He also talks about how much he misses having Andrew and Lance in the group and details his adventurous eating habits. Chicken feet, anyone? Oh, and pickle neck tattoos. Links: Boston Brass The Portfolio Musician The Savvy Music Teacher Jeff Conner Eating A Chicken Foot Bos...
Nov 24, 2015•1 hr 11 min
Fred Powell of Powell Trumpets joins Andrew & Lance to discuss trumpet design and brass repair. Fred also discusses the many times he has shared the stage with Andrew and Lance with Boston Brass and his freelance career. He also talks about how he got started in the repair business and his vast knowledge of barbecue. Website: Powell Trumpets Links: National Trumpet Competition Fred's Email You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at https://www.patreon.c...
Nov 10, 2015•1 hr 7 min
Andrew & Lance are joined by tuba player, pianist, and arranger for Presidio Brass, Scott Sutherland. Scott talks about life on the road with a full-time touring brass quintet and how the group got its start. He also talks about the benefits of having multi-instrumentalists in a chamber group and about what goes into planning a show for a group like Presidio Brass. Website: http://www.presidiobrass.com/ Links: Presidio Brass Facebook Fan Page Instagram Twitter SoundCloud Pokorny Low Brass Se...
Oct 25, 2015•1 hr 1 min
Andrew & Lance are joined by Mary Bowden, an international trumpet soloist and founding member of the Seraph Brass. She discusses her travels around the world, a transformational experience she had with our good friend Jens Lindemann that inspired her to take her career to the next level, and her new brass quintet, Seraph Brass. She also talks about how she has gone about creating her personal brand through highly produced videos, professional photo shoots, and a great website. Links: Mary B...
Oct 13, 2015•58 min
Phil Munds currently holds the position as Principal Horn for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Prior to that, he served as a member of The United States Air Force Band with the one and only, Lance LaDuke! Phil shares how he went from playing in the Air Force to rising through the ranks in the BSO horn section. He also discusses the day-to-day preparations for his job and having a long sustaining career as a professional musician. You won't want to miss the incredible stories shared between Lanc...
Sep 29, 2015•1 hr 8 min
Andrew & Lance talk shop with Jamie Lipton, Euphonium Artist and Professor of Low Brass at Henderson State University. Jamie discusses her musical upbringing and how that led her to attending Northwestern and North Texas to study with Rex Martin and Brian Bowman. She tells us the reasons for her career decisions and the direction she would love to see Euphonium go in. When she’s not winning international competitions, teaching her students, playing/conducting in brass bands and preforming in...
Sep 15, 2015•1 hr 2 min
Andrew & Lance are joined by Jim Nova, trombone player for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Jim talks about how his successful audition for the Pittsburgh Symphony was the 39th of his career! He also shares a very moving story about the loss of his mother and the trombone that she saved up money to buy for him before she passed away. He tells some really great stories about his father, a professional accordion player turned pizza parlor owner turned composer. Jim's story of the time his fa...
Sep 01, 2015•1 hr 14 min
Andrew & Lance are joined by Marty Hackleman, former horn player for the Canadian Brass, Empire Brass, and National Symphony Orchestra. Marty talks about the many stops along his incredible career, including winning his first professional audition at the age of 19. He also shares with us the decision he made as a 16-year-old that got him to apply himself and propelled him to success on the horn. He is the only person who was ever a full-time member of both the Canadian Brass and Empire Brass...
Aug 18, 2015•1 hr 4 min
Andrew & Lance are joined by Joe Alessi, Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic, from Vail, Colorado where the orchestra was on tour. Joe talks about his career as a teacher, soloist, and orchestral musician, including stops with the Philadelphia Orchestra and New York Philharmonic. He also touches on the the influence his parents, both professional musicians, had on him and which musicians inspire him to continue to improve. He also has the best advice for Jens that we've heard to ...
Aug 04, 2015•1 hr 14 min
Andrew and Lance are joined by Carol Jantsch, Principal Tuba for the Philadelphia Orchestra and international soloist. She talks about what the experience was like successfully auditioning for one of the best orchestras in the world at the age of 20. She also talks about her recent solo appearances with the orchestra and how they were the highlight of her career as well as her future plans in the music business. You can help offset the costs of producing the show by making a small donation at ht...
Jul 21, 2015•59 min
