Contrabass Conversations

Contrabass Conversations

double bass podcast

713: Annie Bosler and Trevor Jones

Today’s episode is the 4th and final of The Scholarship Roadmap’s takeover of the Contrabass Conversations podcast feed. The Scholarship Roadmap is an online program for student musicians pursuing careers in music. It was developed by Contrabass Conversations team member, Trevor Jones. Book a discovery call with Trevor to see if it’s right for you.

“A performance degree is a way to give you a language, it gives you skills you can carry into any other profession.” -Annie Bosler

Dr. Bosler co-wrote College Prep For Musicians and How to practice effectively…for just about anything. As a freelance horn player, Annie has toured with John Williams’ Star Wars in Concert and with Josh Groban and performed on Dancing with the Stars, The Ellen Show, and PBS’s Live from Lincoln Center, and shared the stage with Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney on CBS’s The Beatles: The Night That Changed America. She performed with Chance the Rapper at The Grammy’s, Sean Combs (P-Diddy) at The American Music Awards, and Wu-Tang Clan at Coachella. 

2m15s – Annie’s Background
7m10s – What do you do with a music degree?
15m40s – Music Major Application Matrix
27m10s – Assessing your performance 
31m42s – Tapering + Audition Strategies
41m18s – Covid-19 Education Strategies

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

713: Rob Kassinger and Trevor Jones: The Scholarship Roadmap

Today’s episode is the 3rd of 4 of The Scholarship Roadmap’s takeover of the Contrabass Conversations podcast feed. The Scholarship Roadmap is an online program for student musicians pursuing careers in music. It was developed by Contrabass Conversations team member, Trevor Jones. Book a discovery call with Trevor to see if it’s right for you.

“What I’m looking for is seriousness, talent, and a work ethic that exceeds that talent.” -Rob Kassinger

Today I’m chatting with Chicago Symphony Orchestra bassist and Professor of Double Bass at DePaul University School of Music, Rob Kassinger.

Rob and I dig into a bunch of topics that were chosen to provide clarity to the student musician who is looking into musical schools.

•35s – Rob’s background 
•6m20s – am I right for a music degree?
•9m50s – Finding the right teacher
•13m57s – What does Rob look for in a student?
•21m50s – Am I ready for music school?
•26m05s – Audition Day — From Rob’s perspective. 
•28m25s – Common mistakes in an audition
•31m40s – Rob’s audition advice
•37m05s – What should I do about Covid-19? Is online education worth it?

Thanks for listening! -Trevor Jones

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

712: Dr. James Day and Trevor Jones: The Scholarship Roadmap

Today’s episode is the 2nd of 4 of The Scholarship Roadmap’s takeover of the Contrabass Conversations podcast feed. The Scholarship Roadmap is an online program for student musicians pursuing careers in music. It was developed by Contrabass Conversations team member, Trevor Jones. Book a discovery call with Trevor to see if it’s right for you.

“We have to understand the significance of what we’re doing, the place it is has in the world, and the potential impact every one of those choices can make.”  -Dr. James Day

On today’s show, I’m chatting with Dr. James Day. James is Director of the Sunderman Conservatory of Music and Associate Professor of Music at Gettysburg College

I wanted to talk to James to get a sense of what a Conservatory looks for in prospective students and what students can do to make sure they’re prepared for music school. 

We dig into:

33s – James Day’s background
5m59  – Why should someone major in music?
8m53s – Music in a Liberal Arts setting
11m43s – Different types of music majors 
16m43s – Scholarship opportunities (even for non-majors)
27m18s – Best practices to secure a scholarship 
33m13 – COVID 19

Thanks for listening! -Trevor Jones

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

711: The Scholarship Roadmap with Trevor Jones

Trevor Jones is launching a new program called The Scholarship Roadmap that addresses the tricky business of choosing a college that fits your musical needs.  

We talk about the challenges, experiences, and tactics that Trevor has developed through his broad range of experiences teaching at the high school and collegiate level.  Enjoy!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

608: Trevor Jones on building this business

Today’s show, recorded live at the 2019 International Society of Bassists Convention, is a look inside the inner workings of the Contrabass Conversations brand and business with Trevor Jones.

Trevor joined the team in 2017 and has been instrumental in tightening up what we do here on the podcast.  What we talk about here can be applied to many projects in life, and if you’d like to chat with Trevor about making progress on projects, you can reach out to him at trevor@contrabassconversations.com.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D’Addario Strings

This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.

Kolstein Music

The Samuel Kolstein Violin Shop was founded by Samuel Kolstein in 1943 as a Violin and Bow making establishment in Brooklyn, New York. Now on Long Island, over 60 years later, Kolstein’s has built a proud reputation for quality, craftsmanship and expertise in both the manufacture and repair of a whole range of stringed instruments, and has expanded to a staff of twelve experts in restoration, marketing and production.

A440 Violin Shop

An institution in the Roscoe Village neighborhood for over 20 years, A440‘s commitment to fairness and value means that we have many satisfied customers from the local, national, and international string playing communities. Our clients include major symphony orchestras, professional orchestra and chamber music players, aspiring students, amateur adult players, all kinds of fiddlers, jazz and commercial musicians, university music departments, and public schools.

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

Upton’s Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long “Karr neck” has even become a favorite of crossover electric players.

Texas Hill Country Bass Collective

Join them July 22 thru July 25 for our 6th annual Austin Bass Workshop at the amazing Westlake High School.  Come join friends from the Texas Hill Country Bass Collective for four days of music, bass, and fun and work with 2019 featured guest artist (and past Contrabass Conversations guest) Dennis Whittaker!

The Bass Violin Shop

The 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!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!