Your Thoughts

Wonderful job! This my first trombone gathering of any kind and I was very impressed by the organization, commitment and diversity that that was brought to bear. Even more impressive was the general tendency of trombonists to share information and to easily cross academic boundaries. There was a feeling of collegial fellowship that rarely happens at other professional gatherings. Thanks for a memorable occasion.

Bob Moss
Spokane, WA

Thoughts: ITF2005 was absolutely wonderful!! It was the first time that I have had the pleasure of hearing Joe Alessi play live, which was amazing, and also the pleasure of getting to say hello to many of the professional players that I listen to every day. Also, the New Trombone Collective was superb! I felt like a kid in a candy store the entire time I was at the festival. There''s nothing like walking into a roomful of people who love to play trombone the same way you do.

Looking forward to ITF 2006,

Rick Wangler
University of Alabama

Hi to Steve and all others organising the ITF2005,

The New Trombone Collective want to thank the whole staff and organisation for a superb festival! We enjoyed it very much to play in New Orleans and the audience was just fantastic. Lots of credits to Steve, he was a keen spider in the big web and did a great job!! It was also a great joy to perform with Joe Alessi and Mark Nightingale! Best wishes and hope to see again soon.

Nico Schippers, New Trombone Collective

The trombone festival was amazing -- Steve Greenall & Co. deserve all high marks and loads of praise for a terrific festival -- super in every way -- just really inspiring to see so many gifted people giving so much of themselves -- thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it --

Thanks to Steve and his crew -- unbelievable to imagine how much work that must be -- I have trouble getting four guys together to run quartets -- truly a terrific event!

All best wishes & CONGRATS!

Tom Brantley

Hello Fellow Trombone Lovers,

This was the first ITF I attended but it will not be the last. I specifically came to hear someone I have been in awe of for over 30 years, David Steinmeyer, and while seeing and hearing him live exceeded my expectations, I heard and learned so much more from all the other world class players at the gathering.

The New Trombone Collective and the Corpus Quartet were absolute high points that I enjoyed immensly. The morning warmups were incredible learning experiences and all of the presentations from Bonorama to David Taylor to "The Secret Life of the 2nd Trombone" were educational, entertaining and just plain fun for this old, amateur player.

The exhibitors were equally important to the Festival.... where else can you meet and talk to the people who know the most about what you are considering purchasing?

The only negative I might have is that there were too many things I wanted to see that happened simultaneously. The way to make it better: more artists, more exhibitors, more concerts, more, more, more.

I've tried to explain to some of my trombonist friends what they missed but it was such a good experience that all I can say to them is that you had to be there to fully comprehend just how great it was.

Jim Davis
Owasso, OK

Thoughts: I liked the lighter schedule - gave us more time to visit exhibits, see New Orleans, visit with friends. I LOVED the open finals to the competition followed immediately by masterclasses - especially when the master teachers had different opinions. The masterclass format is particularly helpful for those of us who teach a lot. It was nice to see so many new faces on the stages, too.

Maureen Horgan
Boston/Georgia

Thoughts: grettings all !!!!!!!!!
what a blasst !!!! trombones 24/7 !!
and the art car made it doing 40 mpg part of the way /////
drawing these wiggling wundersliders was very very dificult !!!
the attempt to render the impossible and ephemeral moment
at al times reaching for the sure hit high note was the
extreme challenge !!!!!!
the wispy words of wick''s wisdom unfolding
like a mesmerologist in languished sylllable
--------
too many evenys at the same time scrambling scurrying hurrying
forth
contestants and celebrants 4 tets
and flock of rotterdam accents echoing contintenal chatter off
the bus to dorm
giant huge cases !!!!!!!!!! and excitement ////attempting to make
8 oclock warm up ---making it to the door several times !!!!!!
remembering hand faddle conducting wagner for thewewarriors and
trhe huge festival choir !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! incredible !!---oh
the troubles with the black shirted /////
staffers on pre coffee mornings and missing nap afternoons
////listening ///meeting the artists ///good food at the cafeteria and
local spots ////easy transportation trolly !!!!!!!///snug harbor
lights delights ///wild johnny the drummer --wow !!!!!!!!!!!!
drawing drawing drawing 10--20--30--40--
50--60--69 drawings all collected save one that carl fontanna''s
daughter bought and gave away to one of the finalists in the
competition named after her father ///////// an attemp at a
drawing of george [roberts]
and john[marcellus] to the otherworldly
transportation beyond earthly bounds
the sounds of the four horsemen playing golden horns with
white hair transformed
eyes occluded with misty memories
of those in other realms felt yet unseen
------------------------------
overcome with emotion as crazy dave played it straight with trash
bags tossed by the young at heart !!!!!!!!!!!!!
looking up at the red yellow blue stage lights as dave steinmeier
hits over the rainbow notes ----how can you draw
a quartet that has rehearsed even the mute changes
????????????????????????
i wish to thank the ita for gracious cups of morning coffee
wonderful canvas bags and the blossoms of gold silver and brass
in a garden of audio delights
the best of our world !!!! the sharing of our talents !!!
the nurturing of the new !!!! and recognition and great respect
for the old !!!!!
with love and affection
and apologies to those offended ---
remembering at last that it was a jam at a jesuit joint
oh fathers forgive us for we have sinned !!!!! we are
unworthy !!!
hear now our appeal !!! nomnae patrius
benedectae teum [and some greek tossed in ]
thnx esp josh and steven for running w the idea --
--------------
not much time to hit exhibits //live performancers ///drawings done
on the spot
first state on cd--selection--then for downloading as a
print --!!!!!!
very very difficult rendering in the field
but a glorious opportunity --danke
------how do you edit this ???????
this is tougher than posting on the otj !!!

dj kennedy
chester illinois

Hi Jon,

Just a quick note to say congratulations on your efforts and the success of the ITF last week in New Orleans. We had a fantastic time, both socially and business wise, and I hope you did too. I hope you had a safe journey home, and you now have some chance to recover!

Kind regards,
Mark Dransfield, rightnowmusic.com (Exhibitor)

Thanks for all your hard work, Jon (Bohls). We had a great time and we're definitely planning to attend in Birmingham!

Gabe Langfur, S.E. Shires (Exhibitor)

Many thanks for putting together a great festival, the finest yet. Those young men from Rotterdam raised the bar , and Mark Nightingale and Jim Pugh were incredible as usual. I 'm certain more of our members will join after witnessing that fantastic lineup of great trombonists. Thanks for letting us be a part of it.

Milton Bush (New Orleans Trombone Choir)

Thanks to Steve, Jon, the student workers, et al for putting on a great Festival. My only regret is that I didn't get to see enough of the performances. Those I did see were world-class. I also had a great time playing in the bass trombone choir with Dave Taylor. Who knew some many meatheads could produce such a beautiful sound!

Joshua Brown (Edwards and ITA)

Hi everybody! Just a quick message to say how much I enjoyed the 2005 ITF in New Orleans. It was fantastic to meet people from different parts of the world all united by a common bond. With superb playing all around and great jazz (and late night bars!), the event was an inspiration to arrangers and players alike and well worth travelling 4000 miles for! Well done everybody!

Richard Cross, TurnedOnMusic.com (Exhibitor)

Hallo Steven,

Once again, congratulations on a highly successful ITF! Hopefully you meanwhile have returned safely to the UK.

Best regards and greetings,
Heinz Fadle (ITA Past President)

Just a word of congratulations on what I believe was a hugely successful Festival in New Orleans. I think it was one of if not THE best Festivals or Workshops that I have ever attended. And I, for one, am very happy with the prospect that the next one, ITF 2006, will be in Birmingham, UK.

Hugo Magliocco, DME
ITA Past President

Dear All,

Thank you so much for such a fun ITF 2005! I had never attended before and obviously didn''t know what I was missing. I loved every minute of the festival - everything from the concerts (The New Trombone Collection - wow!), clinics/masterclasses, booths, and the location was prime for jazz venues for late night gatherings. I look forward to ITF 2006!

Thanks again!
Lindsey Rogers, student at Murray State University, KY

Hi Steve,
Congratulations on the success of ITF 2005! I sincerely want to thank you so much for making this ITF such a positive thing for me. I've already seen Daniel Schnyder and told him of both Friday's concerts, and he was very pleased. Congratulations on a fantastic job!

Cheers (three cheers, actually),
David Taylor (Artist)

Just wanted to reiterate how impressed I was with the organisation of the ITF and to say what a great time I had. It has been one of the highlights of my career.

Regards,
Brett Baker (Artist)

Steve,

I wish to extend to you my heartfelt congratulations for a FABULOUS ITF and sincere appreciation for the invitation to perform. It was truly an honor to be a part of this year's festivities in New Orleans.

Again, everyone I talked with was extremely impressed with every organizational aspect of the conference. Steve, you and your team are truly world-class and trombonists from around the globe are all very grateful for your amazing work and extraordinary planning.

I hope to have the pleasure of working with you again in the future & wish you much continued success in 2005.

With appreciation,
Harry Watters (Artist)

Hello Steven,

Again, many, MANY THANKS! for a superb festival, very well organised : Congratulations to you! Everyone was Very helpful & supportive. Am glad to have participated at this years ITF . Musically and artistically it was revelatory and rewarding on many levels. Only regret that, of necesssity, i had to miss some of the concerts. The Jazz fest at Dixon hall, Sat' night was absolutely amazing !!

Warmest Regards,
Ashley G. Toms (ITF Accompanist)

Hi Steve,

Just a quick note to say Congratulations on your efforts and the success of the ITF last week in New Orleans. We had a fantastic time, both socially and business wise, and I hope you did too. I hope you had a safe journey home, and you now have some chance to recover !

Mark Dransfield, Rightnowmusic.com (Exhibitor)

Steven:

CONGRATULATIONS! I have heard nothing but rave reviews and was glad to see that so many local trombonists (LA, MS, FL panhandle) took advantage of the location.

Have a safe trip back, a nice break, way too much to drink -- you know, all those celebratory things.

Marta Hofacre (ITA Secretary)

Hi Steven,

Thank you so much for the great time we had at ITF you and your staff did an excellent job. We are looking forward to being a part of your future events.

Thanks again,
Kenny Carr and The Tigers