Jason Heath’s Double Bass Blog

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This is a wild story that Memphis Symphony Orchestra principal bassist Scott Best passed along to me:
(from CNN.com)
Concert-goers, and even Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart, were caught off-guard when a fight broke out on opening night at usually sedate Symphony Hall.
Television video of the fight Wednesday night showed two men struggling in the balcony [...]

There are a few more double bass auditions that have been announced this month. Here’s the information for what is on the horizon. Check it out, and happy practicing!
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Arkansas Symphony OrchestraDavid Itkin, Music DirectorSection BassAuditions: May 15, 2007 and August 2007Send resume to inquire about audition details.
Crystal Wallis, Personnel ManagerArkansas Symphony OrchestraP.O. [...]

 

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This is a special Contrabass Conversations bonus episode featuring a full-length recital from double bassist Phillip Serna. Phillip was our guest on episodes 5 and 8, and it is a pleasure to present this recital to listeners. Enjoy!
Phillip Serna Recital Showcase
Show Notes
Release Date: 4/26/07

Length: 1:17:08
Website: www.contrabassconversations.com
E-mail: contrabassconversations@gmail.com
Blog: www.doublebassblog.com

To get Contrabass Conversations downloaded [...]

The Commercial Appeal put out a feature today on the IRIS Orchestra and its new status as an official nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. You can read the article for more information on how this new organizational structure will impact future endeavors.
Some of the facts quoted in the article are not entirely accurate, so take some [...]

I’ve got a bunch of IRIS Chamber Orchestra posts this morning (as you can see)–if folks are around their computers at noon today (U.S. Central time zone), visit WKNO online, the Memphis metro area’s classical music radio station website, to hear a live broadcast of the IRIS Chamber Orchestra in rehearsal. This is an [...]

 

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This week’s episode of Contrabass Conversations features an interview with National Symphony bassist Ira Gold. Ira is an outstanding performer on the instrument, and he brings valuable insight into the process of learning and developing on the double bass in this interview. You will also get to hear Ira play the last movement [...]

I’d like to give readers a heads up regarding guests for the next few weeks of Contrabass Conversations. I think that people will be very interested both of the guests we have scheduled for the next couple of episodes.
This weekend, you will be hearing an interview I did recently with double bassist Ira Gold. [...]

In early 2004 my new Saturn abruptly caught fire as I was driving home from an orchestra rehearsal. I pulled the flaming carriage over, got my instrument out, and ran away just before it exploded. You can check out that part of the story here.
This was, to put it mildly, an unexpected [...]

Musicians need the input of others in order to develop and hone their craft. Successful performing artists do not live in a vacuum. They constantly seek out the advice of others and incorporate these suggestions into their practicing.
The most important source of input for the younger musician is their private teacher. [...]

What, exactly, is a “regional” orchestra? For the purposes of this article, regional orchestras will be defined as organizations that employ professional musicians but do not offer a salary and other benefits of full-time employment. The organizational structure is virtually identical to the full-time symphony orchestra and is quite different from the community [...]