Before the Snowtastrophe struck, I was fortunate enough to attend the 2010 United States Army Band Tuba Euphonium Conference. This fantastic annual event is held at Fort Meyer and provides a wealth of opportunities to perform, hear great live music, and participate in valuable seminars and lectures. One of the best things about the conference is that it brings together musicians from all the Armed Service branches. I'd love to share a few pictures with you. 

The highlight for me was performing in the Inter-service Euphonium Ensemble, conducted by CMSgt (ret.) Brian L. Bowman. Dr. Bowman is not only a hero to euphoniumists everywhere, he was my teacher. It was a very special gathering of colleagues under his baton, and a great testament to his mentorship that so many of his former students were playing in the ensemble. Here we have represented *almost* all of the premier military bands: US Army Field Band, US Marine Band, US Army Band, US Navy Band, US Naval Academy Band, US Coast Guard Band, US Air Force Band. The only two missing are Westpoint and Air Force Academy! Also represented are the US Air Forces in Europe Band and the Armed Forces School of Music. 

Here I am after the concert with Dr. Bowman and my college roommate, SSG Meredith Healy. She is currently stationed at Semach Air Base, Germany. 

Continuing with the inter-service collaborations, SSG Ryan McGeorge of the US Marine Band and SMSgt Gil Corella of the US Air Force Band play some jazz with the US Army Blues.  

Here is my college buddy, SSG Victor Barranco, one of the newest members of the Army Blues. He really laid it down! 

Another group I participated in was the Armed Forces Tuba Euphonium Ensemble, or AFTEE, if you are acronym-inclined. This was a huge group of military musicians from all over the world. I have never played in an ensemble that made so many clanking noises in between pieces. That's a lot of brass, (instruments & medals)! 

Goofing around after the concert with more college friends-- fellow North Texas grads SGT Dan Ord, currently an instructor at the Armed Forces School of Music, and SSG Adam Lessard of "Pershing's Own." 

My section-mate here at the Field Band, SFC Chris Sarangoulis, premiered a brand-new work for euphonium called Hellrot, (light-red in German). He is soloing with the US Army Orchestra. 

After the fantastic performance, Chris shakes hands with the composer of Hellrot, SSG Adrian Hernandez, resident arranger/composer with the US Army Field Band. 

It was a great event, and I can't wait to go again next year. Hopefully the weather will be more pleasant and cooperative!