In 2012, I had the opportunity to travel to Linz, Austria for the International Tuba Euphonium Conference. It was the summer after my sophomore year at Penn State. I was studying with Velvet Brown and our tuba/euphonium ensemble was selected to perform at the conference. One of the featured concerts at that conference was Mnozil Brass. And they absolutely blew my mind that night.
I was lucky to see them a number of times since then. A few Penn State studio-mates and myself were able to score front row tickets at a concert in Pennsylvania. We drove 2 hours one-way just to see the show. And when Mnozil visited Austin in 2017, my friends and I were able to meet them for drinks after their show – a fact that would have made 2007 Drew faint.
Mnozil has been a huge influence on me as a musician as well as the evolution of FivE, the euphonium quartet I play with. The following video is one of the biggest catalysts to that group writing our own music, staging our own shows, and finding a unique way to express our artistic expressions.
What I’m listening to: Everyone few months I binge a bunch of Voices of Liberty videos. Jaw dropping performances every time.
What I’m eating/drinking: Nerds Gummy Clusters. Reader, run don’t walk to the nearest candy retailer. I’m telling you they’re amazing.
What I’m watching: Season 3 of the Mandalorian just premiered on Disney+ this week and it was enjoyable. But some of my favorite writers/podcasters disagree.