I'm very excited to welcome Sotto Voce back to Mount St. Mary's University. We'll be performing in Knott Auditorium on Friday, September 14th at 7.30pm. Join our facebook event or check it out on the Mount website. Having just recorded a disc of new music the program will be full of exciting new pieces including some written for the group as well as a few favorites. The concert is free and open to the public. There will be a masterclass at 3.30 in the same location.
Sotto Voce is proud to share a collection of videos of the group, carefully selected from the web, in this official playlist.
Tonight we'll be back in the Motherland of Wisconsin to make a new record! New pieces written for Sotto Voce. Four days of sessions in Mills hall stopping only for food and drink. We'll see you on the other side!
Sotto Voce is sad to leave great people of Sheridan, WY, the helpful staff of the WYO Theater, and the fantastic audience of last nights concert!. This promotional teaser video anticipates more promotional video to come from Late Night Shenanigans.
Sotto Voce is excited to announce an upcoming Rocky Mountain tour in Wyoming and Colorado. Performances will feature Patrick Schulz's Quartet No. 1, written for the group while they were studying at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The tour includes concerts for the Sheridan-area District Band and two shows at the WYO theater in Sheridan, WO.
Sotto Voce is excited to announce the gritty details for our upcoming tour of North Carolina and Virginia! We hope to see a lot of friends and make some new ones.
Wed 10.12 - Virginia Commonwealth University
3.30 Master Class
7.30 Concert Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall in the Singleton Center for the Performing Arts - Tickets
Thursday 10.13 - Army School of Music, Fort Eustis, VA
2 Masterclasses
2 Short Concerts
Friday 10.14 - Elizabeth City, NC
10.00 Public School Concert
12.30 Masterclass, ESCU
Saturday 10.15 - Chapel Hill + Greensboro
10.00 Quartet Coaching, Chapel Hill
7.30 Concert, Starmount Presbyterian Church - details
Sunday - Chapel Hill
10.00 Church Concert, Greensboro
3.00 Masterclass, Chapel Hill
7.00 Concert, Chapel Hill - details
Sotto Voce is packing their bags for a tour of North Carolina
Wednesday, October 12- Concert and Masterclass- Virgina Commonwealth University, Richmond- VA
Friday, October 14- Masterclass and Clinic- Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City- NC
Saturday, October 15- Sotto Voce hosted Masterclass and Concert- Greensboro, NC
Sunday, October 16- Masterclass and Concert- UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Sotto Voce and I are very saddened to learn of the death of Richard Riding, organizer of the Fredericton Tubafest in Fredericton, New Brunswick. I am very glad to have had the chance to see him again at the North Eastern Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference this spring before he passed last week. The tuba and euphonium community has lost a tireless supporter of their instruments and especially of the amateur performer. I am deeply grateful to him for inviting me as a soloist and Sotto Voce as a quartet to share our music at the Fredericton Tubafest in the past. He certainly went out of his way to share his time, family, home, music, and beautiful the New Brunswick countryside with us. His daughter, Katherine, gives particulars and a loving tribute on her blog. Sotto Voce is very happy to return to Fredericton for what may be their last Tubafest May 4th and 5th in 2012.
- Mark
After a long wait my medieval styled solo, Tapestries, for tuba with band is now available with piano reduction for purchase here or by special order from Carl Fischer. The work was commissioned by Andy Carlson of the US Navy Band and was recently performed by him at the US Army Band Tuba conference in 2009. I'm very excied about this new version with piano accompaniment that makes this piece more accessible.
- Mike
Check out these details for our May 7 show in Edgerton, WI!
.- Mike
Our kind host and laison with the De Valle Fine Arts Series at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore, CA, Eric Horning, forwarded us this fantastic review by the Independent. Thanks Eric!
- Mark
We're back on the road, back on line, and having a blast in the east bay area of CA.
- Mark
Our California tour is just around the corner! We'll be in the Bay Area (specifically in Livermore) for a concert on Saturday, April 16th at the Del Valle Concert Series. We hope those of you on the Left-Coast can make it out! Just two weeks later we'll be back in Wisconsin at the Edgerton Concert Series for a performance on Saturday, May 7th! In both performances I'm very excited to announce that we'll be performing my latest quartet, "Bridge" which will involve collaborations with countertenors Paul Flight (CA) and Lon Ellenberger (WI). We also have added four new works to our program which will feature each of us in a solo capacity with the quartet. Hope you can make it!
- Mike
No, Sotto Voce is not breaking up.
Yes, I can't wait for our 2011 California Tour.
No, I don't think my new beard makes me look like John Stevens.
Yes, I am shaving it off - maybe tonight.
No, the audience at the 2011 US Army Conference wasn't good - they were great!
Yes, it's true, everyone wants a beard like John Stevens.
- Mark
Happy New Year! I'm thrilled to announce that my second solo recording "Songs of a Wayfarer" is now available. You don't want to miss hearing this collaboration with the wonderful Martha Fischer....order yours now! Visit tubaquartet.com/wayfarer for more info and tubaquartet.com/shop to purchase yours!
- D
We just got well over a foot of snow here in Wisconsin today, which reminds me of last year's U.S. Army Band Tuba/Euphonium Conference (where the final concert was canceled due to snow). Speaking of the TUSAB Conference, Sotto Voce is very happy to be playing a sizable concert on Saturday afternoon of this year's conference (Jan. 29, 2011). We're also going to be doing a residency at Mark Carlson's new school: Mount St. Mary's University in Maryland. We are very much looking forward to both events. For me, it will be a nice homecoming back to TUSAB where I spent my formative years. The conference also holds a special significance for Sotto Voce, since our last performance at the conference (1999) was also our first performance as a professional tuba/euphonium quartet. We premiered my work, "Consequences" on that program, and look forward to giving that piece's 100th performance at the conference this January.
For some YouTube enjoyment, here is a clip of me conducting my "Cosmic Voyage" with Sergio Carolino's tuba ensemble "How Lo Can You Go?" in Porto, Portugal last March.
Dig it,
Mike
We just got well over a foot of snow here in Wisconsin today, which reminds me of last year's U.S. Army Band Tuba/Euphonium Conference (where the final concert was canceled due to snow). Speaking of the TUSAB Conference, Sotto Voce is very happy to be playing a sizable concert on Saturday afternoon of this year's conference (Jan. 29, 2011). We're also going to be doing a residency at Mark Carlson's new school: Mount St. Mary's University in Maryland. We are very much looking forward to both events. For me, it will be a nice homecoming back to TUSAB where I spent my formative years. The conference also holds a special significance for Sotto Voce, since our last performance at the conference (1999) was also our first performance as a professional tuba/euphonium quartet. We premiered my work, "Consequences" on that program, and look forward to giving that piece's 100th performance at the conference this January.
For some YouTube enjoyment, here is a clip of me conducting my "Cosmic Voyage" with Sergio Carolino's tuba ensemble "How Lo Can You Go?" in Porto, Portugal last March.
Dig it,
Mike
Photos from France are online in the tour section and a PDF collection of media from the trip are uploaded as well. Revisiting these materials reminds me of what a great trip we had. France, je t'aime.
Here's a very professional video of our performance of Steve Snowden's "Take This Hammer" at the Cuivres en Fête in Limoges. (This video is hosted by the City of Limoges).
Having just finished four masterclasses, seven concerts and three series of euchre games, Sotto Voce has concluded a very successful tour of France. (The tuba players won the series.) We were amazed by the quality of the audiences, the venues, and all the people that we met on this trip. Special thanks to Thierry Thibault for inviting us and for organizing our travel and performances with the Cuivres en Fête and Festival de La Chaise Dieu. We were very happy to have the chance to share our music with people from across Europe and to get to see so much of this beautiful country. We can't wait to do it again!
bonne chance,
Mark
This weekend found the quartet together in Madison, WI, for the most rare of events: a few days devoted exclusively to rehearsing. We don't have the luxury of an abundance of prep time before the beginnings of our various tours, so we relish the opportunity to get together once in a while for a good practice and a good hang. Now we’re refreshingly prepared for what is bound to be an epic trip to France.
- Nat
Greetings and happy summer! It's a great time for Rädler's, Shandy's, and all other kinds of light beer, and for me, summer means the "writing season." This is when I really get to knuckle down and find some time to really create some new stuff for Sotto Voce and the like. The piece I'm just finishing is a brand new work for Sergio Carolino of Portugal. It's called "David & Goliath" and is for solo tuba (Sergio) and 6-part tuba/euphonium ensemble (2 euphs, 2 bass tubas and 2 contrabass tubas). I'm a huge fan of John Steven's works (obviously) and his "The Liberations of Sisyphus" certainly had a great impact on me in grad school. I like to think of this new piece that I'm creating as really a "sequel" to that fabulous work. No motivic connection, per sé, but I would say a similar tonal language. I hope you all enjoy it when it finally comes out (probably Editions BIM).
In the meantime, I worked very hard last summer on a new composition for high school aged tubists and euphoniumists. The new work is called "Capriccio" and is published by Kendor Music (the same great folks that brought you works by Arthur Frackenpohl and David Uber). Kendor has recently signed me on as their new "low brass guy" and I'm happy and honored to even try to fill the huge shoes of Art and Dave. Capriccio (which is the same piece (different octaves) for euphonium as it is for tuba) is meant to be a slightly easier piece much like the Gregson Tuba Concerto--but only 1 movement and about 8 minutes long. The tuba version is definitely geared toward a BB-flat tubist, but a CC or even E-flat tubist could easily play it...but I had the BB-flat in mind as I was composing...it's definitely a "contrabass" tuba piece (rare, I know). The euphonium version comes with both treble and bass clef parts. I really had planned to use this piece in my own studio as a good college freshman jury piece--but it would also be a good college audition piece. Fast-Slow-Fast is the form, with tuneful, rhythmic melodies. I'm going to give the European premiere of the work (on my Miraphone CC 1292) in France in August. Please email me if you'd like a Midi file to hear the piece...I'd be happy to send out some PDF's for perusal as well.
Also on Kendor, I've published the now famous arrangement of Loch Lomond that I've done. If you want the verison that Sotto Voce has recorded and regularly plays, you'd want to buy the trombone quartet verison. But if you are a younger or amateur tuba/euphonium quartet and want a shot at this piece, I'd suggest my new tuba/euphonium quartet version of the arrangement. I'm also reworking new arrangements of my Danny Boy and Pie Jesu for Kendor at the moment. Look for those titles and other new things from Kendor at your local music shop--one of the things that I really like about Kendor is their massive distribution.
All for now, back to writing!!
Mike
Hello everyone and I hope this message finds you well. Sotto Voce had an amazing time at ITEC 2010. The conference was very well attended and was run silky smooth. The quartet played music for the Wednesday afternoon dinner, which was served outside. Instead of playing with us, Nat toured Europe with the Youngblood Brass Band. We missed him but we had a great time playing musical chairs with his seat. Derek Fenstermacher, one of my former students, was the primary sub. D brought his brilliant sound and command of the high register to the gig. We thoroughly enjoyed working with him. I felt like a proud father. Kent Eshelman joined us to play a mean improvised solo on his composition, Fortitude. Kent has played with us before therefore he fit in perfectly. However, one of two highlights for me was reuniting with Ben Kirby. Ben was the very first 1st tubist in Sotto Voce. With him, we played Royal Garden Blues and Saint James Infirmary, both written for him. He stills sounds awesome and playing with him brought back some incredible stories!
We played salsa, milongas, jazz and other entertainment music but a simple folksong was the showstopper, literally! For the requested encore, we played Loch Lomond, the old Scottish melody. Just like always, we put down the instruments to sing the second verse. When James Gourley and some of the Brits join us in singing, the silent crowded cheered enthusiastically. Sotto Voce finished the song with a silent audience, just as it began.
Stay tuned for writings about the rest of our summer and our upcoming trip to France.
Regards......
A variety of new arrangements are now available in the shop including tunes by Rimsky-Korsakov, Gounod, Debussy, and multiple versions of Loch Lomond, St. James Infirmary, and Just a Closer Walk. Also, check out our tour page for pictures from our fall tour hit at Stevens Point, WI. I'm also in the process of uploading pictures to albums on our Facebook page. Please let us know the names of anyone who needs tagged!
Coming to you live from a practice room on the campus of The University of Arizona: a semi-live report from ITEC 2010!!(crowd noise)!!!
It great to see so many friends and colleagues from around the world assembling here. We're looking forward to Sotto Voce reassembling with special guests Derek Fenstermacher, Kent Eshleman and original high tubist Ben Kirby for a performance this wed.
Sotto Voce is excited to announce some new dates reaching into the next two years. We'll announce more dates as we book 'em!
2010
8.12-15: SVQ Rehearsal in Madison, WI for France Tour
8.14 Definitely not attending the Great Taste of the Midwest
8.21-29: France
2011
4.16: Livermore, CA
5.5-5.8: Edgerton, WI
2012
1.25-27: Colorado Music Educators Conference
Greetings from Porto! I am here in beautiful Portugal for lessons, masterclasses and a tuba ensemble performance with Sergio Carolino's extremely talented students! Just last weekend I was the guest teacher for a "tuba course" at the Superior and Professional Conservatories of Malaga, Spain. The three day event was loaded with clinincs, lessons, ensemble playing and coaching the wonderful Cerveny Tuba Quartet. I was treated to fabulous food and drink, and welcomed like a king by the extremely gifted tubists of Andalusia!! I look forward to a time when Sotto Voce can join me on a return trip to these awesome music conservatories!! Viva Espaniol!
Adios,
Miguel
Correction: A communication/scheduling snafu resulted in our ITEC 2010 performance time being posted on this site as 2.28 when it is in fact on Wed. 5.26
[ ITEC 2010 Schedule ]
[ ITEC 2010 Artists ]
Checking my email inbox reveals that I missed something last tuesday. It seems that Sotto Voce will be featured on another Public Radio station, WEZU.US Besides obviously having exquisite taste in selecting music to broadcast, the station was apparently named "Small Business of the Year 2009" by the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce. Thanks to Kim Terpening and WEZU! Kim Terpening writes:
Hi all you great artists..........
Thank you for sending me your CD. I am featuring your music on my show this weekend. You can stream us on the internet at WEZU.US. The show, featuring local musicians "A Mixed Bag", will be aired Sat 3:00 AM, 11:30 AM and Sunday at 1:30 PM. EST.
Thanks for supporting Public Radio,
Kim Terpening
Developmental Director
Local Public Radio
WEZU 95.9 FM
P.O.Box 717
Roanoke Rapids NC 27870
Here's a live update from the Drury Inn, San Antonio. I'm representing Richland College at the TMEA Convention. Sotto Voce is excited to announce some dates:
• International Tuba-Euphonium Conference performance in Tucson, Arizon
5.26.
Correction: Our performance time was previously listed as 5.28. [ ITEC 2010 schedule ]
• Performances in Limoges at the Epsival Festival and in Chaise-Dieu at Festival de La Chaise-Dieu in France
8.23-8.28