The Musical Trequartista: Recent Episodes
Andrew McGowan
An interdisciplinary podcast seeking to play-make conversations about topics and areas that I find are under-discussed, underrated, or particularly important to sustainable, high-octane life.
Adrian B. Sims is an accomplished composer, conductor, educator, and trombonist. His music has been performed at The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, new music reading sessions across the country, and include selections on the Bandworld Top 100 List. Many of his pieces appear on the J.W. Pepper Editor’s Choice List. Adrian's works have won the Maryland Music Educators Association Young Composers Project and the Make Music Young Composers Contest. He is active as an educator with the Baltimore County Summer Music Camp, Terrapin Music Camp at the University of Maryland, and the DC Youth Orchestra Programs as well as rehearsing, conducting, and leading clinics with bands and orchestras across the United States.
Joe Jaxson is a composer whose music challenges the familiar and connects with his audience while pursuing versatility in writing in numerous styles and genres ranging from Contemporary Classical to Cinematic Screen Scoring. Recent premieres include “Within the Flux” (2023) for Sax Quartet and Percussion, “Treeflowers” (2023) performed by the Sandbox Percussion Quartet, “Persevering” (2022) for Chamber Orchestra commissioned by the Seattle Collaborative Orchestra. “Mountain Stars” (2022) for solo cellist Sarah Kapps and “The Light of Stars” (2022) for Baritone voice and piano were both premiered at the 2022 Wintergreen Music Festival.
Quinn Mason is a composer and conductor of Western Art Music. He has received numerous awards and honors from such organizations as the American Composers Forum, Voices of Change, Texas A&M University, ASCAP, the Dallas Foundation, Dartmouth College Wind Ensemble, National Flute Association, International Clarinet Association, the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York, the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, the Heartland Symphony Orchestra and the Arizona State University Symphony Orchestra. In 2020, Quinn was honored by the Dallas Morning News as a finalist for 'Texan of the Year'.
Brian Meixner is an active euphonium soloist, conductor, and educator, currently Associate Professor of Music at High Point University where he serves as the Director of Instrumental Studies, Director of Bands, teaches studio low brass, and conducts the HPU Community Orchestra and HPU Brass Ensemble. Brian is the Founder, Music Director, and President of the North Carolina Brass Band, has held the position of Assistant Conductor of the River City Brass Band (where he played euphonium full time for six years), and has been featured with the RCBB on several performances, both as a performer and conductor. Brian played euphonium and trombone for several years with the River Bottom Quartet, a diverse low brass chamber group composed of River City Brass Band members. He has previously served on the faculties of UNC-Greensboro, Slippery Rock University, the University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Woman’s University, and as the Euphonium Teaching Fellow at the University of North Texas.
The Euphonium Ambassador Adam Frey travels the globe sharing his talents as a performer and advocate for live music where he solos with orchestras and bands the world over. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Adam Frey received his musical training at the University of Georgia, the Royal Northern College of Music, and the University of Salford. Adam has more than one hundred and twenty works that have been composed or specifically arranged for him--most are published by Euphonium.com Publications, Pinnacle Brass Publications, and Absolute Brass.com.
He annually hosts the International Euphonium Tuba (IET) Festival at Emory University each June where more than 175 students and teachers from around the world participate in a week of playing, learning, and inspiration. It which will hold its 20th anniversary this year.
Adam is a Yamaha Performing Artist and serves as Associate Professor of Music at the University of North Georgia. His website, www.euphonium.com, contains sound files, performance schedules, photos from his world travels, and his recordings and publications.
Dr. Mike Vecchio is a lecturer of Music Education at the University of Illinois. While completing his doctorate at University of Michigan, he taught and assisted with courses throughout the undergraduate music education curriculum, pursued a cognate in wind conducting, and served as the assistant conductor of the Michigan Youth Symphonic Band and the University of Michigan Band Alumni Association Concert Band. Additionally, he has taught graduate music education coursework at Eastern Michigan University, and undergraduate music education coursework and applied brass lessons at Adrian College. He has performed as a Euphonium player with the North Shore Concert Band and the Chicago Brass Band. Vecchio previously taught music for eight years in the public schools of New York and the northern suburbs of Chicago. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Euphonium Performance from Ithaca College and Master’s Degrees in Music Education and Euphonium Performance from the University of Michigan. His research focuses on creative musical activities within instrumental ensembles and the development of creative musical agency.
Hiram Diaz is an educator euphonium player, bandsman, and multi-instrumentalist with the President's Own United States Marine Band. A second generation Cuban American, he grew up in Miami, surrounded by rich expressions of Latin-American art. He studied at Miami’s New World School of the Arts, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and the University of North Texas. He also performs as a member of The High Bridge Brass and regularly on euphonium, trombone, and bass trumpet with the Baltimore Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, and National Symphony Orchestras.
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Dr. Chris Dickey has earned a reputation as a performer, teacher, and adjudicator throughout the United States, South America, and Asia. Currently, they are Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium in the Washington State University School of Music. Dr. Dickey has received the WSU President’s Distinguished Teaching Award, a system-wide award given annually to a faculty member who epitomizes the highest levels of performance and excellence and who plays a vital role in teaching WSU students, has been inducted into the WSU President’s Teaching Academy and in 2021, they earned the Edward F. Mullen Memorial Teaching Award from the WSU College of Arts and Sciences, an honor given to a faculty member in the arts, humanities, or social sciences who demonstrates outstanding commitment to undergraduate education. Dr. Dickey is a founding member of the In Motus Tuba Quartet and Anonim Trio professional ensembles specializing in recording and commissioning new literature. They also perform with the Palouse Brass Company and the Crimson Brass Trio. They are a Miraphone Performing Artist.
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Dr. Gail Robertson has a distinguished reputation as a euphonium artist and teacher, soloist, and clinician. She has also garnered worldwide attention for leadership, her work as composer/arranger, and as a musical talent. Robertson serves as Associate Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Central Arkansas. She is the former head of the jazz area where she coordinated jazz events and conducted the top jazz ensemble. In addition to teaching, she performs as tubist in the faculty brass quintet, Pinnacle Brass. She has been a longtime member of the Brass Band of Battle Creek, Keith Brion’s New Sousa Band, Monarch Brass, and has been a clinician for the MIDWEST Band and Orchestra Clinic. Dr. Robertson is Past President of the International Tuba and Euphonium Association (ITEA) and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Leonard Falcone Tuba and Euphonium Festival. She is Past President of the International Women’s Brass Conference (IWBC) and co-hosted two international conferences. Robertson was Chair/Chief Editor of the International Tuba and Euphonium Press (2012-2017).
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Lance LaDuke is an internationally known educator, writer, speaker and performer who teaches at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. Lance is a former member of international touring quintet Boston Brass, the United States Air Force Band in Washington DC, the Brass BAnd of Battle Creek, and the River City Brass Band—the only full time professional brass band in the country. He contributed to The GAME of Innovation, a full-color visual book that helps teams solve creative challenges. Lance is an Educational Ambassador for Jupiter Band Instruments, plays Parker Mouthpieces, and co-hosted (with Andrew Hitz) The Brass Junkies Podcast. His book, “Music Practice Coach,” is available as a PDF download on his website where you can also view an array of his comedic endeavors.
Most recently, he has launched a speaking career and regularly shares his ideas on practice, leadership, self-development, motivation, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
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In this episode I talk about what I've been up to this summer, what I've learned, some things it made me think about, and why there weren't any episodes in August.
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The phrase "Lead by example" has been corporatized, marked, and perverted into a cliche that people put on resumes because they think it will help them fit in in the business world. In reality it is one of the most important, difficult, humble, and brave things you can pursue.
In this episode I reflect on what it takes to be the change that you want to see, where to look for inspiration, and how, in my experience, it will help you grow a more fruitful life.
See what else I'm up to here!
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Doctor Brendan Ige, a native of Pearl City, Hawaii, is the instructor of tuba and euphonium at Eastern Michigan University's School of Music & Dance. Brendan earned his master’s degrees in tuba performance and chamber music from the University of Michigan, and his undergraduate degree at Bowling Green State University. Brendan performs regularly on tuba and euphonium, composes, and teaches low brass in the Michigan and Ohio area. Brendan has performed with the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Symphony Concert Band, Adrian Symphony, Akron Symphony, Perrysburg Symphony, The Royal Hawaiian Band, and the Cedar Point Beach Band.
See what else I'm up to here!
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As I assessed my commitments going into this summer I made the critical error of assuming I had more time than I did--or rather that I could do more in less time. It's funny, but it all comes back to priorities. Just because you have a goal doesn't mean you have the bandwidth to start right now. What would it look like to really take things one step at a time? Can being so focused on taking one step at a time turn every step into a destination that you miss the journey of?
In this episode I reflect on how I feel like my summers often feel like a time of preparation and training rather than relaxing, how I'd like to change that, and I go off on several targets about how to foster your creative thinking.
See what else I'm up to here!
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This last weekend I attended the Midwest Regional Tuba and Euphonium Conference at University of Kentucky in Lexington. It was one of the best conferences I've ever been to! I met so many incredible musicians, reconnected with some friends, and made a load of new ones. The recitals and masterclasses were of the highest calibre and consistency I've ever seen at a tuba conference. It was sensational!
In this episode I reflect on some things a learned and some convictions I've realized I have including skills musicians should develop and what it takes to get there, how to find an instrument that's a good fit for you, what the tuba and euphonium repertoire is missing, and the seedlings for my doctoral project--a mathematically proven optimal state of physical wellness for musicians and other non-athletic, high intensity performers.
See what else I'm up to here!
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On May 1st 2022 I said some tearful goodbyes to an immense teacher and a number of amazing colleagues. Before our final concert together I reflected on the power of one of my favorite composers, and how, when he passed away in 2017, I wasn't capable of grieving in an emotionally accessible way, but this performance allowed me a second chance. In this episode I reflect on the power of emotional contrast, how it is rooted in our humanity mentally, physiologically, and spiritually, and how that is showcased by the great works in classical music but especially a work I have come to know very intimately--David Maslanka's Symphony No. 4.
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On March 14th I sustained a sports injury that would have hospitalized most people. When I recorded this episode just 16 days later, I'm almost back to 100% fitness with no pain and minimal discomfort. In this episode I reflect on the context of my injury, explore the anatomy and physiology of injury recovery, break down the factors that led to my fast recovery, explain how these pillars contribute to a better learning and growing experience, and share where I draw inspiration from to maintain this mentality consistently.
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Taking Care of Yourself is Underrated
In order to develop true relentless progression, it is essential that we invest the entirety of ourselves into to the project/process. This is impossible if we don’t take care of ourselves. If you neglect care for the mechanism you should expect diminishing returns. It doesn’t matter if it’s your car, your kitchen knives, your instrument, or—especially—your body.
In this episode Andrew breaks down a few things he prioritizes to ensure that he feels like he’s always progressing. He discusses why these pillars of his life are important, how they can help you get the most out of your body, and he moves through them from most to least important in order to help changes feel more accessible.
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Taking projects one at a time is underrated.
Living in a “go, go, go“ mentality is taxing, and it’s important to make sure our output is sustainable when we want it to be. What does that look like? How can we implement that? What does a relentless lifestyle feel like? Ironically, literally taking one thing at a time isn’t always the case.
In this episode Andrew discusses how taking projects one at a time makes a difference in the intensity he’s able to leverage in his work, how it helps his work/life balance, his new philosophy on creativity, and how he leveraged these mechanisms over the last two months.
Afterwards he discusses his fugue project, how it helps him hone his writing and creative productivity, and then ties it into the one at a time mentality.
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Sustainability is Underrated.
There’s a problem with the implementation of the “New year, New me“ philosophy.
Almost everything about it is based around a quick fix. The unfortunate truth is that anything you hope to achieve and then maintain only comes after a long journey, but when you make that commitment to sustained change, you can watch your life flourish before your eyes.
This episode serves as a convenient bridge between the old and new iterations of the podcast. In this entry Andrew discusses the ethics, influences, costs, and insustainability behind this methodology, and then outlines what the difference is between a sustainable and unsustainable approach with in-depth examples and a way for you to tell what’s helpful and what’s not.
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The Musical Trequartista is Changing!
After some serious reflection I've realized that I'm not happy with where the Podcast is at. It just has too much of a "let me tell you how much I know" feeling rather than being an avenue for me to share the things about the universe that fascinate me, so there are changes coming. I'm planning to do more interviews, interview reflections, overviews of the projects I'm working on, deep dives into artists that fascinate me, and analyses of the music I love. In this episode I reflect on the state of the podcast and where I see it going.
I'm so excited to start this new chapter and to have the chance to share it with all of you!
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Seasonal Affective Disorder is defined by the Mayo Clinic as “a type of depression that is related to changes in the seasons and begins and ends around the same time every year—typically in the fall and winter months,” and it impacts the lives of millions of people every year. Studies of S.A.D. has indicated that much of its impact comes from the disruption of our social and biological rhythms as a result of seasonal changes—and that these tend polarize in more extreme latitudes.
In this episode Andrew breaks down his relationship with Seasonal Affective Disorder, its symptoms, and his methods for combating and preventing them.
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Starting on a new journey in our lives can be frustrating. Often we get so much information before we start—or not enough—and get frustrated because things seem impossible because we have too much or too little understanding of them without realistic expectations. Sustainable practice is what will carry you to the promised land of “good.“ It isn't so much about prating for hours and hours a day, but about consistency over a long period of time.
In this entry Andrew describes his method of improvement based on all of the research he has done integrated with his own experience as a musician and athlete.
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On October 17th I ran the Des Plaines River Marathon. This journey was at times depressing and others exhilarating. After running 22 half marathons in 22 weeks during the summer of 2020 I was sidelined with a hamstring strain that kept me out of commission for six weeks. After finishing my time at physical therapy, I was back to half marathon fitness—in an infinitely more sustainable way—after just five weeks. In February of 2021 I was back in PT having strained my lower back and torqued my IT band. Full recovery from that injury took until July, but in March I set my sights on running a marathon in the fall. Most training programs are 16 weeks, and I wanted to be ahead of schedule before I got there. That meant that I needed to be able to run a minimum of 26 miles per week before the first of July and at least 6 miles at a time with no pain in order to make this feat achievable.
In this entry Andrew breaks down his journey from injury to sustainable marathon fitness, balancing his training with his personal life and graduate school, what his training and nutrition looked like, how he made this sustainable, and what he has learned about himself as a result of this adventure.
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Hydration is one of the most important factors in elite level performance--because H2O is essential to life on Earth! An optimally hydrated mind is more agile and an optimally hydrated body is more capable of performing at its best with ease. Your hydration level effects everything from your mood, to your attention, to your gross and fine level motor execution.
In this entry Andrew adds to the first hydration episode to talk more in depth about his hydration method and why preemptive hydration is the best way to live.
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This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Hydration is one of the most important factors in elite level performance--because H2O is essential to life on Earth! An optimally hydrated mind is more agile and an optimally hydrated body is more capable of performing at its best with ease. Your hydration level effects everything from your mood, to your attention, to your gross and fine level motor execution.
In this entry Andrew breaks down factors that influence hydration, how much water to drink, and shares his personal method.
https://www.mcgowanmusic.com
https://www.instagram.com/musicmcgowan/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbSMiCS-aaadCTKdE943JJQ
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Quality of rest is the difference between being able to pursue your life relentlessly and not. Have you ever slept a long time but felt terribly or slept a short time and felt great? This disparity is often a result of clean sleep. High quality vs low quality sleep is the same as the difference between eating steak vs potato chips, and optimal recovery requires both time and quality.
In this entry Andrew breaks down factors that contribute to better sleep and what his process is.
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One of the most important contributors in being non-judgmental of yourself, remaining curious about the world, and getting more enjoyment out of your personal life is having something you pursue outside of your job. Whether it's being active, painting, teaching, building computers, or anything else, an activity that allows you to decompress and remind you of how capable you are at your craft is the most helpful way to continue to enjoy what you spend your days doing.
In this entry Andrew breaks down this idea and offers some personal perspective on it.
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Vinny Giaconia is the bell maker for Best American Craftsman. He is a trombonist, repair technician, and has recently begun his journey into athletics.
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Vinny Giaconia is the bell maker for Best American Craftsman. He is a trombonist, repair technician, and has recently begun his journey into athletics.
https://www.mcgowanmusic.com
https://www.instagram.com/musicmcgowan/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbSMiCS-aaadCTKdE943JJQ
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
One of the most important practices brass musicians can take up is cleaning their horns. For more active players especially, this can have a major impact on the quality and efficiency of your playing as well as the longevity of your equipment. Over the course of my 4 years as an instrument technician I have cleaned thousands of instruments and dived deeply into the chemistry that drives it in order to understand how and why the best cleaning methods work. In this entry I outline what a good cleaning process is and some everyday practices that can add years to the life of your instrument and save you thousands of dollars in the long term.
https://www.mcgowanmusic.com/the-musical-trequartista/get-your-horns-cleaned
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Elliott Godinez is a percussionist and educator who actively curates contemporary music. He founded the Godinez Percussion School in order to provide percussion equipment and lessons to students in inner city Chicago, and he recently premiered his recording my new work "In the Dark Blue Sky You Keep" for Glockenspiel for Electronics.
In this episode we discuss sustainability, commissioning new works, collaborating with artists, and how he pursues excellence so relentlessly.
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https://www.elliottgodinez.com
Elliott Godinez on YouTube
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Other than maybe “sustainability is king” there’s a good chance that anyone that has ever spoken to me about fitness would say that “train in volume” is my mantra. This philosophy shaped my fitness journey, has impacted nearly every aspect of my life, and proves to me time and time again that it is the best method for building sustainable progress. In this entry I go in-depth to explain training in volume and then share the story that proved to me that it is the optimal training experience.
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In this episode I break down my thoughts on the Euro 2020 group stages, what teams I like, predict semifinalists, and give some insight on why I think England will lose.
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All of us have important parts of our life that we aren’t willing to compromise on. What they are and how you choose to prioritize them is different for everyone. In this entry I break down more specifically what non-negotiable are, how they can serve us, and some shortcomings I find many folks fall into.
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