June 30, 2013

The second VOTT Recital is an outstanding success!

I walked out to a reasonable sized audience and started performing my opener. After a couple of bars I realised I didn’t open out the 3 pages. It then dawned on me that there is NO rest for the soloist in this piece. My free arm (left one) can’t reach around to the music. Panic did set in, but I pushed away.

Nothing to do but play open notes while flipping the music. Fortunately it flipped out perfectly (to my surprise) and on to the stand. Some of the open notes were actually in the right place! In the space of 10 seconds, all hell returned to normal.

Philip Buttall’s Lone Arranger was now concluded and received appreciative applause. The opening mishap was now a distant memory.

The show was now underway and there was no time for any anxiety. Time seemed to fly by in an instant by the half way point. At this point in time, after performing 4 works, I featured my accompanist Mitchell Leigh. He performed a spritely little French piece, much to the joy of the audience.

While Mitchell performed I checked the time. Uh oh!! Only 30 minutes had gone by, and I have only 3 works to perform once I go back on stage. I really hoped Mitch’s piece would go on for a while. I was back on stage 4 minutes later!!!

Oh well, the show will go on, regardless of how early it concludes. Just have to go with the flow.

The second half was performed on the contrabass tuba. The first piece, one of my own works, was the most difficult of all the works performed. Why did I play it on the Bb tuba? I’m still asking myself this question. Ironically, the second hardest piece of the program, I also wrote. I will put more thought into future programming, I hope.

By the time the Voice of the Tuba signature piece concluded to a most appreciative audience, the one hour time allotment was reached.

With all said and done, it was time to thank the audience members I knew, for supporting this new venture of a tuba recital series.

What surprised me was greeting so many people who I didn’t know. They made up the majority of the audience I later found out. The were some young kids, along with their family, who were told to come to this concert to listen to me. There was even an adult learner tuba player who turned up.

Regulars from the Kelvin Grove Wind Orchestra plus members from the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra, Yellow Cabs Bayside Brass Band and other ensembles I perform with were there.

Four of my cousins also attended, who were promptly “put to work” to help “run the show”.

Young Emma was a very diligent page turner for the accompanist. It was her first time and she did a brilliant job. Mitchell was delightfully surprised and most appreciative.

Emma’s brother Ben made a great sentry at the front door. He kept great order at the front of the hall, letting in late comers at the appropriate time and adding a level of profession to today’s production.

Their dad Steve, manned the video recorder at the front of the stage. Due to a lack of proper equipment, the camera managed to greet the floor early in the concert. But this was a VOTT production error. Steve managed to keep the camera rolling and captured the entire hour.

Thanks Steve, I think I know where that locking plate is now. It wasn’t your fault, but it did add to the entertainment factor today. All is good.

My partner Gayle and cousin Tanya (Steve’s wife) shared front of house duties.

Thank you guys, the show was a much smoother production with all your help!

I personally thanked the supporters for this series of recitals, Yellow Cabs Bayside Brass, Boyds – The Piano Shop and Brass Music Specialists.

The first recital earlier this year, while a VOTT Recital, was under the production umbrella of Yates Music. This current series and all future Voice of the Tuba recitals will all be produced in house.

All hiring, marketing, insurance and other aspects of production are now my responsibility, including setting up and breaking down the venue plus performing.

Feedback from the audience was all positive and very appreciative. The general consensus about the programming is that is was varied and balanced.

The venue, Wynnum Hall, was a winner. While it had some reverb, it suited the tuba sound well. It has great character and a positive atmosphere, as noted by a number of audience members.

From so many different points of view, the first Voice of the Tuba produced recital, is a total success.

Now for next Sunday’s recital in Maleny.

John Szkutko