In my first podcast episode, I sat down to chat with my good friend, John Ohnstad, about his musical career and his bass trombone studies with the late George Roberts.

Virtual Trombonist Podcast, ep. 1: Interview with John Ohnstad

In my continuing series of "Excerpt Overdubs" this is my overdub of an arrangement I did of the two major excerpts for trombone from Ravel's Bolero. Just the mention of this excerpt is enough to strike fear in the hearts of many a trombonist! I remember hearing how long ago, there were players who would specifically put in their contracts that they will never play Bolero.

I dedicate this to my dearly departed former teacher, friend and hero, Glenn Dodson, former Principal Trombone of the Philadelphia Orchestra for many years and long time trombone professor at the Curtis Institute of Music. I was his student there in the 90s.

When I was a kid, I remember discovering Bolero from a record my dad had. I was fascinated and wrote the solo out. I was playing it before middle school band rehearsal and my band director (who was an excellent trumpeter) walked up to me and said, "What are you doing?!?" I said, "I'm playing this cool trombone solo from a piece called Bolero. Have you heard of it?" He responded, "Yeah, I've heard of it." I had no idea...

Then years later, I came out of the corn fields of my native Connecticut to audition for Glenn Dodson at Curtis. I knew nothing about him or any other famous players. I didn't know he was Joe Alessi, Mark Lawrence and Blair Bollinger's teacher. I knew none of that! 

At the end of the audition, he asked me, "Is there anything you'd like to play for me that if you didn't get to play, you'd feel cheated?" I said, "Can I play Bolero for you?" I KNEW NOT WHAT I WAS DOING!! Little did I know I was playing Bolero for one of the great principal trombonists of the world. Later, Mr. Dodson told me it was this innocent but potent love of playing that really caught his ear and led him, among several other factors, to chose me for the Curtis spot.

I made this arrangement and recording over a year ago in preparation for an audition but am only now releasing it. Eventually I plan to create a CD and app for practicing this and many other standard excerpts.

Enjoy!

Ravel Bolero Excerpts

This track features a performance and tips for practicing the Bohme etude for this year's ATSSB trombone All-State auditions.

ATSSB Year E trombone - Chris Clark - Bohme Etude

This is the Year E Gatti etude, performed by Chris Clark.  The track also features commentary and practice considerations to help you with you audition for this year's ATSSB All-State band.

ATSSB Trombone Year E- Chris Clark - Gatti Etude

This is a recent rehearsal recording of a new piece by composer Jeffrey H. Bauer.  We had the opportunity to perform it on an area composer's society recital.  The work is available from Balquhidder Music.

http://www.balquhiddermusic.com/brass-quintet/danse-macabre-bauer

Danse Macabre - Jeffrey Bauer

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