Remote Recaps from ITF 2022: Preview

The International Trombone Festival starts today!

In Conway, Arkansas (pop. 66,776), trombonists from around the world have converged on the University of Central Arkansas campus for a four-day experience of concerts, masterclasses, exhibits, and general camaraderie.

There is still time to register for the Festival.

Why ITF Is Important For All Ages?

• The last ITF I attended was the 2004 Festival in Ithaca, New York (anybody else attend that year?) As a teenager whose dad was giving a presentation on Allen Ostrander, I went a complete fanboy throughout the Festival. Getting autographs from Nitzan Haroz, Jay Friedman, Douglas Yeo, Blair Bollinger, Brad Edwards, Eric Carlson, Buddy Baker, and Edward Kleinhammer, made me pursue the trombone more than ever. Plus, I will never forget the moment I played Bordogni for George Roberts. Click here to read that story.
• ITF 2004 also introduced me to new and outstanding trombonists. It was the first time I heard Megumi Kanda. I heard Charlie Vernon and Blair Bollinger LIVE! I saw and heard Peter Sullivan perform with the Yamaha Xeno Trombone Quartet, which led to me studying with him six years later. Countless memories that last a lifetime.

Things Look A Lot Different From 2004.

• After registering for this year’s Festival, let’s just say there was no app or online community in 2004 like there is today. The world has come a long way in 18 years, and I am looking forward to seeing how much this trombone community will come together in the next four days.

Why Call It “Remote Recaps”?

• For several years, the Festival has fallen on the same weekend as a summer concert with the Huntington Symphony Orchestra. While this year’s Festival was on a concert-less weekend, my wife and I are still getting used to four-year-old AND three-month-old boys in the house. Staying on the homefront was the better choice to keep both adults slightly sane for post-Festival life.

How Will I Be “Attending” The Festival?

• As a remote participant who writes a blog, I plan to go full reporter by live-tweeting the events on the TromboneTV live streams. If you are a non-trombonist who follows me on Twitter, sorry not sorry this week!
• In addition to live-tweeting, I will post a summary of my day’s activities at the end of each night.
• Yes, I know I will be missing a lot of interactions and hangs by not being in person, but again, since this is the year 2022, ITF has created a global community for online and in-person attendees. I plan to take full advantage.
• Disclosure: Even though I serve as the Events Coordinator for the International Trombone Association, I will be independently writing and commenting on the Festival.

What Am I Looking Forward To This Week?

• Performances by Nick Finzer, Steve Davis, Mike Dease, and Joe Fiedler. These Jazz artists have released new albums this year so hearing this music in a live performance will be special.
• Hearing Marlena Skoczylas, Yu Tamaki Hoso, the Lantana Trio, Martin Schippers, and the Fountain City Brass Band for the first time.
• Having full access to the archive events for things I might miss.

There is still time to register for the Festival.

That’s all for now.