Marshall Music sponsors clinics by the Boston Brass and tubist, Deanna Swoboda

The Boston Brass performed a concert and presented a series of clinics throughout the southeastern part of the state in April sponsored by Marshall Music. Students in Utica, Novi, Clarkston, Bellville, Saline and the University of Michigan were treated to the sounds of the Boston Brass as they performed and answered questions about performing and practicing. Trombonist, Ed Clough suggested practicing four measures until you can play them rather than just practicing a specific period of time. Jeff Conner, trumpet, emphasized very slow practice.

One of the distractions and highlights of the clinics was when it was revealed trumpeter, Jose Sibaja, toured with Ricky Martin. This prompted some students to ask Jose to play something from his days with the band. When someone asked, “What’s the highest note you can play?” Jeff and Jose looked at each other and said, “Must be a trumpet player.”

The past three months Deanna Swoboda, Associate Professor of Low Brass at Western Michigan University and former tubist with the Dallas Brass and an Accent Artist has traveled the state sponsored by Marshall Music presenting brass clinics and recruiting assemblies in conjunction with her Band Blast Off DVD. Prof. Swoboda’s low brass clinics feature a mixture of virtuosity on the tuba, some brass history and a large dose of fun. She performs on everything from a garden hose, to a conk shell to her Accent tuba. Best of all, the students seem to enjoy her circular breathing skills on the didgeridoo. All this while teaching the importance of diligent practice and breathing exercises.

Deanna’s devotion to music education is most evident in her recruiting assemblies. She produced and performed on the Band Blast Off DVD. This grew out of her Brass Rap she performs across the country and has adapted in to a full band recruiting presentation. By the end of her recruiting session she has formed a brass quintet with four students from the audience wailing away on trumpets, French horn and trombone with an amplified accompaniment and Deanna on tuba. Prof. Swoboda ends the session performing the Band Rap from the Band Blast Off DVD.