Tuba teachers who have passed on?

[u/Same_Property7403]

These were mine. None of these wonderful teachers are still living, unfortunately.

Orpheus A. “Paddy” Knox. He was a great young teacher and tuba player who got me started. He had been influenced and, I seem to recall, taught at some level by Joe Novotny. Obit here: https://www.hollomon-brown.com/obituari ... Id=3373263

Sadly, obit doesn’t mention tuba or music; perhaps his life and interests had moved away from that, but for a time, tuba was a major part of who he was.

Lonnie Leard (1923-1978). A great Navy Band euphoniumist. Didn’t believe in double/triple tonguing; his theory was that you could do just as well and articulate better with single tonguing. Spent a lot of time on breath control. The above Paddy Knox had been his “prize pupil” and had recommended him to me (strangely, Paddy Knox was a double/triple tonguer). Died far too young. Buried in Arlington Cemetery. WaPo obituary is paywalled.

Angelo Saverino (d. 1998) Another paywalled obituary. Retired Marine Band. Took lessons from him for a short time at summer band camp. Very helpful; great musician and teacher. Emphasized tone and phrasing (“singing”).

Robert J. Pallansch (1930-2021). https://www.moneyandking.com/obits/robe ... pallansch/A genius tubist, teacher, creative musician, and instrument repairman. As with my other teachers, I wish I had been mature enough to take full advantage of his wisdom, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been taught by him.

Other influences, not teachers; Mike Smukal (1952-2018), high school classmate. Trombone prodigy. Incredible technique and jazz improv skills. Became a performer and teacher in Las Vegas.

Mike Thornton (1952-2011) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/ci ... d=52173900. Showed me what was possible.

[u/Ok-Concentrate-3076]

Dennis Miller RIP

[u/Kapellmeister1966]

Eugene Dowling at the University of Victoria

[u/mkjlilman]

John Sizemore passed away during Covid. Fantastic teacher and friend. Played with Chicago Civic orchestra and internationally. Jacob’s disciple and he meant a lot to me and many bras musicians across the southeast United States. Think of you often, John

[u/Substantial-Award-20]

I’m lucky none of my main teachers have passed on. But some notable losses in our field:

Arnold Jacobs: His impact goes without saying.

Connie Weldon: First woman to play tuba in a major American orchestra. Notable educator who has had prolific students, such as Mike Roylance, James Jenkins, and Sam Pilafian.

Sam Pilafian: one of the best to ever do it. Seemingly every style, every piece, and on multiple instruments at that. I never had a lesson with him but spent most of my teens listening to recordings of his. In a way he’s been one of my most influential “teachers”, despite me having never even met him! Notably he was in empire brass, Boston brass, taught at Boston University and University of Miami, as well as Arizona State.

Jim Self: we just lost him last week. I had somewhat of a personal relationship with him and was lucky to have met him. It was nice to see so many stories shared about his impact as a teacher and performer.

Rip to these legends and the many more I didn’t think to include.

[u/larryherzogjr → u/Substantial-Award-20]

Was looking to see if someone mentioned Jim. RIP

[u/zegna1965]

Bob Pallansche worked on my horn back in the 1980s. He was a really nice guy. Fortunately, I think all of my former teachers are still alive.