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Announcing the 2024 Trombone and Trumpet Summer Camp!

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  Weekly rehearsals W or Th June 5-August 15. Two FREE private lessons per student Over $350 value for only $200 Massive final concert Aug 24 Come and join me for my fifth brass summer camp! We had a great time last year with weekly rehearsals and a concert in the park at the end of the summer. This year, I plan to have separate ensembles for middle school and high school students, and I am also adding a trumpet ensemble this year. I have already ordered the music, and it is exciting! This is by far your best value for a summer music experience. There is nothing quite like playing in a small ensemble; everyone is responsible for their own part, and your instrument gets a chance to play every part because you are not in large concert band. With 11 weeks of rehearsals, it is okay if you have to miss a few for summer plans. My normal lesson fee is $30, so with 11 weeks of ensemble and two free private lessons, that is a $390 value! Come and meet other trombone and trumpet players from th
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My new favorite warm-up: Key of the Week

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Are you looking for a solid and interesting warm-up regimen? I came across this a few years ago, and I have just started using it with my students again. Key of the Week is a packet of standard brass exercises (Arban's, Clarke, etc) in all 12 major keys. Each key gets its own page. Pick a key, and play that page every day for a week. Play it all staccato, legato, with metronome, etc. Good for slurs, intervals, scales, and accuracy. KOW Trombone KOW Trumpet Check out Joe Dixon's amazing website , just full of great brass resources!
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Pocatello camp underway--still time to sign up for I.F.!

We have just completed our third day of the Pocatello Low Brass Camp, and we are all having a great time!  Everyone is learning/relearning some new notes, and our songs are really starting to come together.  The recital for the Pocatello Low Brass Camp will be at 10:00 am on Friday, August 3 in my backyard.  Free and open to the public.  The address is 2308 Douglas St, Pocatello.  Just walk through the driveway on the south side of the house to the backyard.  I will be making a video recording of the recital for those parents who are unable to attend.  It's not too late to sign up for the Idaho Falls low brass camp next week!  Full details are a few posts down, and the registration link is on the left side of the screen.  I am willing to offer transportation to any students who live between in Pocatello or Blackfoot and who would like to attend. 
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Guest drummer to join Low Brass Camp

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More good news...I have a drum set player coming to the camp!  He will be jamming along with us on songs like Phineas and Ferb, Don't Stop Believin' and Little Brown Jug.  Watch this video to see how cool a brass ensemble can sound with drum set. Click here to watch! Jane, Jefferson Starship Here's a track from our first album, Carry On! www.maniacal4.com @maniacal4 @matt_maniacal4 Check out our new CD...
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Pocatello and Idaho Falls Low Brass Camps

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Low Brass Summer Camps in Pocatello and Idaho Falls Trombone!   Baritone/Euphonium!   Tuba! Pocatelo July 30 - Aug 3, 9:00-10:30 a.m., concert August 3 Idaho Falls Aug 6 - 10 , 9:00 -10:30 a.m., c oncert August 10 Private lessons available Come and be a part of Idaho’s best week in brass!   Tired of playing the low and slow parts in band?   During this week-long camp, you will gain  awesome brass skills and make new friends as you play  exciting and challenging music in a low brass ensemble.  Jazz Classical Video Game Themes  Daily rehearsals led by Sarah Houghton , principal trombonist of the Idaho State Civic Symphony. Only $30 for the whole week!   Cl ick the link on the left to register  
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Master's Recital April 7

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For Baritone, Euphonium, and Tuba Players

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I teach baritone and tuba, too! How do they differ from trombone? Not very much. Trombones have 7 slide positions, and baritones and tubas have 7 valve combinations. First position is the same as open valves, second position is the same as the middle valve, 3rd position is first valve, and so on. They all play in the same key, meaning they can read the same music and it will sound the same. Occasionally, baritones will play in treble clef, but we can fix that! :-) Trombone and baritone mouthpieces are interchangeable, and tuba mouthpieces are much bigger. Tubas have a range about an octave lower than trombones and baritones. Are baritones and tubas welcome at the summer camp? You bet!
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