Interview Guests – Page 119

384: Dennis Tobenski talks careers, business, composing, and podcasting

Dennis Tobenski is a composer of acoustic new music whose work has been described by Anthony Tommasini of The New York Times as “distinctive and engaging”. He is also a vocalist and a strong advocate for new music and for the interests of living composers.

Dennis also hosts two music business-centered podcasts aimed at helping composers and performers to learn more about the practical aspects of their careers: the Music Publishing Podcast, a weekly, hour-long conversation with other professionals in the field of concert music, and The Composer’s Guide to Doing Business, where he answers questions and discusses current issues the new music community.

383: The Orchestral Dream is Dead with Matt Waters

Earlier this summer, I read an article from Matthew Waters that caught my attention. Titled The Orchestral Dream is Dead, it outlined Matt’s experiences going through school at UCLA and trying to develop a career in Los Angeles.

I posted this article on Facebook, and it got a lot of thoughtful comments from orchestral musicians, students, and others. I thought that it would be great to chat with Matt for the podcast and dig into these topics.

380: Jonathan Glawe on landing jobs, delegation, and the state of music education

I’ve followed along with the incredible career of Jonathan Glawe for many years.

Jonathan has established himself as one of the rising stars in the music education world. He is the current Director of Orchestras for Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and he is in demand across the country as a clinician.

Glawe has played an important role in the their return to the GRAMMY Signature School list, in which the Pioneer Music Department was honored as one of the top 3 music programs in the nation in 2010 and 2015, and earned the honor of being the National GRAMMY Signature School in 2011.

Glawe was recognized as MSBOA District 12 Orchestra Director of the Year in 2011, 2013 and 2015. He was a finalist for the Michigan Orchestra Director of the Year in 2012.

Jonathan also attended and represented the US in a symposium of Music Education in Stockholm, Sweden with a quartet from the Pioneer ensemble.

379: Dennis Whittaker on opera life, endurance, and career paths

Dennis Whittaker has had a fascinating journey through the music world.

After his studies in music education at Baylor University and a masters degree with Jeff Bradetich at Northwestern University, Dennis found himself teaching middle and high school orchestra in Texas.

After seven years of teaching in the Waco and Houston public schools, a series of events occurred that propelled him into the professional performing world:

he landed the principal bass position for the Houston Grand Opera
he was hired to teach bass at the University of Houston
he began subbing regularly in the Houston Symphony

We dig into the events surrounding this transition and much more!

Check out the opera excerpts that Dennis talks about here!

378: how wood choice affects tone with Seth Kimmel

I’m so pumped to bring you today’s episode covering the tonal differences of various woods with Seth Kimmel!

Seth is an awesome luthier located in Eugene, Oregon. I had the chance to play some of his basses at the 2017 International Society of Bassists Convention and was blown away.

Seth uses a wide variety of woods for his basses, including:

maple
walnut
myrtle
spruce
pine
cedar
redwood

We dig into the tonal characteristics of these various woods today. Totally fascinating!

I took notes on everything that Seth covered and put them all into a PDF.

If you have our Contrabass Conversations app, the PDF is included with this episode in the bonus content.

You can also click here to get a copy of these notes.

Enjoy!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

The Upton Bass String Instrument Company. Upton’s Bostonian was conceived at the 2009 International Society of Double Bassists convention at State College, Pennsylvania, while world-renowned jazz bassist and Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas, Lynn Seaton and Upton Bass String Instrument Co. President and Founder, Gary Upton Birkhamshaw were playing and discussing the various instruments Upton Bass had created for the convention. They started with a blank sheet of paper, and together began jotting down Lynn’s preferences and suggestion with each model. The result was a rough outline of what would become the UB Bostonian Concert Double Bass.

Bass Violin Shop – Offers the Southeast’s largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

Check out all luthier episodes at contrabassconversations.com/luthiers