ITEA Journal Volume 47 Number 2 (Winter 2020)

Of Note

Bill Bell Tuba Day

This past November, I attended Bill Bell Tuba Day in Perry, IA. I had attended once before, in 2005, as a member of the of the tuba/euphonium studio at University of Iowa. Going into that first visit, my understanding of Bill Bell was that he was a famous tuba player who traveled to Iowa, got sick, died, was buried in the town cemetery by the locals, and gets visited annually by tuba and euphonium players for a rendition of Come, Sweet Death. I was actually right, but there is more to it than that.

Bill Bell is considered by many to be the first great tuba player. He was born in Creston, IA and began his musical tutelage in Fairfield. He left college early to play for the Sousa Band before making his way to the Cincinnati Symphony, NBC Symphony Orchestra, and New York Philharmonic. He finished his career as Professor of Tuba at Indiana University. After becoming ill on a visit to Iowa, he was brought to Perry, where his sister lived. Here, he died and was buried in the local cemetery.

Upon hearing the news one of his students, Harvey Phillips, visited Iowa to find that the gravestone had a treble clef on it. Feeling that this wasn't fit for a great tuba player, he had a bronze plaque of his extensive career created and attached to the stone. He also organized the first Bill Bell Tuba Days. A few years later, Iowans made it an annual event.

This brings us to last week's event. The town itself was remarkable for its size. A typical Midwestern town of 7,000 would have a Casey's, Subway, Hardee's, five bars, post office, and a half-dozen churches of various denominations. The most fortunate also have a Maid-Rite. But Perry also has a lot of art decorating downtown, which makes it charming. Hotel Pattee has a Bill Bell Room and a decent restaurant for the after-performance gathering. Overall, it had more of a suburban feel.

I did see some familiar faces. Dr. Josh Calkin, who was merely Josh Calkin on the first trip, was the guest clinician from Wayne State College and a DMA student and fellow participant on my initial visit. Also there was Gary "The Tubador" McCurdy, who is one of the chief organizers and was best known to me as a helicon player who regularly performed by strolling through my hometown's annual Snake Alley Art Fair over the years. Of course, half the fun is seeing familiar faces and the other half is getting to know new ones. Those new ones were dedicated tuba and euphonium players from all across Iowa. My friend and I were the only ones from another state.

The indoor portion of the day was held in a church. We played four-part tuba/euphonium ensemble music (two euphonium and two tuba parts) selected from music added to the Bill Bell Day repertoire over the years and had a clinic on improvisation. The performance was simple enough. We played the music we rehearsed and the story of Bill Bell was told to the audience. There were no soloists or vendors. It is a celebration of the tuba and the person who helped bring the instrument to prominence.

Of course, the day was not yet over. Yes, we visited the cemetery. On my first trip it rained, so that portion was cancelled. This day was beautiful. I'm happy that other people knew where the stone was, because it was not remarkable in size. We gathered in an arc and played Dona Nobis Pacem followed by Come, Sweet Death. They were two of Bill Bell's favorite chorales.

Aside from meeting at the restaurant afterward and stopping for Casey's pizza for dessert, that was the day. The travel time topped four hours each way, but it was worth it. Though it is in the middle of rural America, it does provide a great day of music and one with surprising history. Next year, if you're within striking distance and play tuba or euphonium, I recommend stepping outside of the usual and making the trip to Perry, IA. It's a fun and fascinating low-brass experience.

-David Ancelet
https://meandmyeuphonium.blogspot.com/

Dan Perantoni: 50 Years of Teaching!

From October 7-11, 2019 at Indiana University alumni of Daniel Perantoni presented a special Octubafest celebrating his 25th year of teaching at IU and his 50th year of collegiate teaching. The week of performing, teaching, conversations and camaraderie was presented by former students of "Mr. P" from the University of Illinois, Arizona State University, and Indiana University.

Golden Lund and Daniel Perantoni

The week included solo recitals, a chamber-music recital, a master class, jazz night, an extensive interview with Daniel Perantoni by Jerry Young (available in full on YouTube), and closed with an ensemble concert conducted by Winston Morris. Featured performers/presenters included Kevin Stees, Mark Nelson, Golden Lund, Tim Northcut, Mickey Moore, Tony Halloin, Aaron Tindall, Jerry Young, Phil Franke, Richard White, Steve Dombrowski, Alex Lapins, Phil Franke, John Mueller, Paul Loucas, Tony Kniffen, Richard White, Matt Stratton, Andy Smith, Jerome Stover, Genevieve Clarkson, Brett Stemple, Paul Carlson, Tom Holtz, Sean Greene, Matt Hightower, Joanna Hersey, Chris Lee, Kevin Wass, Dave Saltzman, Demondrae Thurman, and Michael Colburn. Jim Self and Chuck Daellenbach were special guests.

50^th anniversary ensemble in honor of Daniel Perantoni

It is a testament to the quality and breadth of Mr. P's teaching that this week was so densely packed with musicianship and pedagogy. It is a testament to the marvelous personal qualities of Mr. P that the week was tremendously warm, joyous, and loving among his many generations of alumni.

-Alex Lapins

L-R Dave Saltzman, Richard White, Alex Lapins, Tony Kniffen, Mark Nelson, Kevin Wass

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