Travis
Houston, TX
This years ITF was great. Hard to put into words just how amazing it was. Slide tradition with Ben van Dijk and bones apart were really cool and Trombone unit 2000 was exellent. This was my first festival since I am only 13 but now I plan to go to Finland next year because this one was so good.
Richard Zemry Johnson, Jr.
Mansfield, LA
I thoroughly enjoyed the ITF. There is really no way that I could adequately describe the sights and sounds of the ITF. I'll try to mention a few of the highlights. The ambience was great. It was nice meeting so many people that I know from here and from trombone-l. I met Richard Marple, DJ, Sandy, Beth, Billy Cordova and Weston Sprout, just to name a few. I also met Dr. Robert Blaine, the trombone instructor at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, my undergraduate alma mater. Tony Baker and his staff did a great job at the festival. It was well organized. Tony is a phenomenal player. He is equally comfortable in both the classical and jazz genres. I don't think that there was anyone else there that I heard that performed in both genres. He is probably a nicer person than he is a trombone player and he is a trombone virtuoso, in my humble opinion.
The professionals there were great, not only from a playing standpoint, but also from a personal standpoint. They were accessible and very friendly. As such, I tried not to abuse their hospitality. It was amazing to be in a room with Ralph Sauer, Christian Lindberg, Jiggs Whigham, Ian Bousfield and Bill Reichenbach all at the same time. Bill was nice enough to give me some advice on taking up the bass trombone when I asked. He was really the only one that I asked any advice of. I felt an obligation not to bother them. I did feel it proper to thank each one of them for their outstanding performances.
Kenny Merchant
Pflugerville, TX
This was my first opportunity to attend. Wow! What an inspiration to hear so many outstanding players all day long. I think the festival was very well planned out and managed effeciently. I especially apprecited the international flavor of the entire festival. This was a once in a life time opportunity to hear many of these world class performers. Here are a couple of suggestions for your consideration: 1.A raffle type drawing for the attendees to win one free lesson with a particular artist. 2. Individual tickets to certain recitals or concerts available for locals that may not have the time or interest to attend for a full day. 3. A contest for older amatuers (i.e. 35+)who still need a goal. My congrtulations to everyone involved for doing a great job. Your work is definitely apprciated.
Sandra Lewis
Sulphur
I went to the ITF with trombone major daughter Beth, and we had a blast. There were lots of exhibits and interesting listening activities. I liked having so many choices. I played in the Weekend Warriors and Heinz (Fadle) had the nicest manner. He had so many good suggestions without ruffling feathers. Now if our practices wouldn't be scheduled during lunch or dinner time, the tummy rumbles wouldn't be louder than the music. It was so nice of the music department to host the barbeque carnaval and the reception. I give the ITF a A+.
Ben van Dijk
Den Haag, Netherlands
For me this ITF was a very special one. I had mixed feelings going to Denton because of the serious illness of my father. I could not prepare the way I wanted and had some fear for the many things I had to do as a featured soloist during the festival. Now, one week after the event, I can say I am happy I made it. The organization was really first class, Tony Baker, Vern and Jan Kagarice and all the others did a great job. I like to give a compliment to all the students of the UNT who supported us artists before and after our acts so very well, they made it so much easier. It was a great treat to play with Slide Tradition and the trombone section of the Stockholm Royal Opera House and playing Wagner's great aria Wotan's Abschied with the Cramer Choir with Jay Friedman was a once in your live experience. Meeting so many old friends like Heinz Faddle, Jan and Vern Kagarice, Dee Steward, Jiggs Wigham, Bill Reichenbach, Lars Westergren, Josh Brown, Tom Smee and many more was just wonderful. Again I have met so many new faces like Ivan Chinchilla, Newel Sheridan, Don Lucas, Ian Bousfield who made great impact on me both as players and human beings. I hope to attend many more of these great events in the future. Thanks!
Ed Britton
Tucson, AZ
Absolutely fabulous! Thank you so much for one of the most memorable musical experiences of my and my 13 year old trombone playing daughters lives. Educationally rewarding, motivational, and fantastic sounds. As Jiggs said, "Listen." Your staff and support people also deserve applause. Friendly, polite, and knew their job well; thank you all. We can't wait til next year.
Billy Cordoa
Nacogdoches, TX
This was the smoothest running event I ever went to! Bones Apart were awesome! Everything was FANTASTIC!
Elisabeth Frederick
Ramona, CA
This was my first Trombone Festival and it was really fun. I only wish that we didn't have to choose between different events because there was two things going on at once. I also didn't know that everyone could play in the Weekend Warriors choir....if I had known the first day I would have played in the ensemble. Lets have it on the West Coast! Lets all thank Tony Baker, it was great fun!
dj kennedy
chester, il
changed my life forever !!hearing is believing !! came back home immediately got out the duo gravis and played it --also by listening to the costa rican 4tet cd have been able to keep a certain joy and vitality and many pleasant memories of faces young and old --brought together by love of music and the trombone -- left my fears behind now i have begun to expand and explore different manners and styles saw that the small trombone was not dead --and understood the round sound better --- loved the show -it could've gone on forever --- texas t-jam and toast --- my beret is off to the hosts - worshipping with the horn was wonderful --and fellowshipping was fantastic i am very very thankful for the opportunity to be in the forrest of great trees ----- it was beautiful !!!!
Bones Apart
Manchester, England
We had a fantastic time, our reception was totally overwhelming. Couldn't have dreamt of a nicer bunch of trombonists to hang out with and drink beer with! Harsh to come back to reality, playing in flooded fields and no champagne drinkers paying attention - bah! Anyway, now opening the fourth bottle of wine... cheers! (or should we say to the Costa Ricans... "ARIBA! AWAHO! ACENTRO! ADIENTRO!") Best wishes to one and all from Carol, Becky, Becca and Camilla aka. Bones Apart x x x x x
Wendell Welch
Boise, ID
It was a great 5 days of good music and instruction on playing the trombone. What a fantastic instrument!
William E. Gibson
Sioux Falls, SD
Tony Baker did an excellent job with organizing the festival. He and his staff did a super job. Having late night jazz concerts was a great idea, wish they would have had that in Nashville last year. Only complaint was the difficulty in getting a practice room in the main building.
