I remember why I moved to the Southwest...

Right now I'm in Washington DC for the annual U.S. Army Band Tuba-Euphonium Conference. I had to do some things for Just For Brass, and also got to spend some time with old friends - and make some new ones. Definitely a great time, although the weather COULD be better. I really appreciate the weather in Phoenix right now, because it's about 30 degrees and raining right now in DC.

Last week Mary and I ventured into North Scottsdale and took a tour of Taliesin West which was the winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright, and the head of the design school where he supervised young architects. It was really cool seeing the design of the various wings of the buildings, and how he incorporated the surroundings into all aspects of the design.

If you are ever in the Phoenix-area, I highly suggest going to take a tour.

Next week is the first week for my new tuba-euphonium ensemble. It's under the Sonic Arts umbrella, which is an established youth-oriented ensemble (one brass band, and one wind band) and it'll be called Sonic Boom. We're looking to really change the way younger people approach the tuba and euphonium and hopefully to get them on the right track (mentally and physically) before they develop too many bad habits.

It's been a great couple of weeks. I performed the Jan Bach 'Concert Variations' for the Accompanying Department at ASU annual recital where they pair student instrumentalist soloists with student accompanists. The pianist did a great job - and the performance was one of my finer of that piece.

I return to Phoenix tomorrow, and then it's back to the grindstone. Hope everyone has had a great month, and I'll update more soon!