The most recent Journal of the International Trombone Association features an article, written by me on the life of my colleague Milt Stevens who passed away this past summer. I have done my best to honor this great man, and I hope that you have a chance to read it. The article features many photos from Milt’s first years as a beginning trombonist up to the the last few years of his life. At some point, this article may become available online, but for now, you must be an I.T.A. member to receive its’ quarterly journal. If you are a trombonist and are not a member of the International Trombone Association, I strongly urge you to join. Here is a link: http://trombone.net/registration/
As a trombone section in a period of change, the National Symphony low brass is doing its best to carry on without Milt at the helm and continue to offer a top quality product to our music director, orchestra colleagues and ultimately, our audience. Our second trombonist, Craig Mulcahy, has moved over to the principal chair for this season. Filling in for Craig on second this season is Tim Higgins, who was not only a finalist for Craig’s NSO job a few years back, but is currently a finalist for the San Francisco Symphony principal trombone position. We are thrilled to have him with us this season. John Huling, our great assistant principal is out on disability this season, and we have been hiring players from the embarassment of riches that is the D.C. trombone pool. There are SO many great trombonists in this city! Most notably seen with us this season have been Barry Hearn (U.S. Army Band) and Gus Mitchell (U.S. Army band). I am stuck in my last chair status and at the age of 43 am the “old man” of the section, so I get to put on my curmudgeon cap now and then just to practice. The anchor of the section, Stephen Dumaine, is on tuba. The photo below was taken a few weeks back following our performance of the Symphony #6 of Gustav Mahler at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
Left to right: Tim Higgins, Craig Mulcahy, Gus Mitchell, Matthew Guilford and Stephen Dumaine