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TE Exhibits at Army Band Tuba/Euphonium Conference 2001 For the last decade and a half, at the end of January, the U. S. Army Band at Fort Myers, Virginia, has hosted the Army Band Tuba/Euphonium Conference. Last year, because of a record snowfall in Durham of over 24 inches, we had to miss exhibiting at ABTEC for the first time in 13 years. This year, the weather cooperated; and we did exhibit at the Conference where Pat Sheridan was the featured Clinician. Pat's amazing talent is beautifully demonstrating on his CDs. His informative and entertaining clinics and master classes are always well attended. We exhibited our Gronitz, St. Petersburg, and Kalison instruments among others, at the Conference. The new Gronitz piston 4/4 CC tuba model CPM-5 was very well received. TE Attends Frankfurt Music Fair Every year, in the first quarter, the world's largest music trade show is held in Frankfurt Germany. Hundreds of manufacturers and distributors worldwide exhibit their products for thousands of music dealers from all over the world. It is always a treat to be able to attend this show and to see the latest instruments and meet new manufacturers. We were delighted to see many of our European suppliers in Frankfurt this year including St. Petersburg, Kalison, Mirafone, Cerveny, and others. We were quite busy meeting with all of these folks discussing shipments for the coming year. Our meetings with the St. Petersburg factory representatives were especially productive. The |
representatives
surprised us with an excellent new all-metal key to valve linkage system,
which will replace all plastic 
linkages in the near future. I will tell you more about this development
when we start receiving tubas with this linkage system. Kalison had several
new models including their fantastic cimbasso. For those of you who are
not familiar with the "cimbasso," suffice it to say that it is an instrument
more like a valved contrabass trombone - one which Verdi and Puccini used
in their operas in place of the tuba. Verdi and Puccini felt that the
cimbasso better matched the sound of the trombones in their opera orchestras.
Most modern cimbassos are only fair instruments at best, but the Kalison
F cimbasso is excellent. Jim Self, the famous Hollywood studio player
and freelance artist, has one and likes it very much. We are looking forward
to receiving the first Kalison CC cimbasso in the near future.
While in Frankfurt,
we did get to see 
some of the city's new museums, and also attend a performance of Verdi's
opera, Luisa Miller, which took place at the new opera house. The orchestra
(especially the tuba player - no cimbasso here), chorus, and soloists
were very accomplished; and we enjoyed tremendously this performance -
even with its slightly bizarre staging.
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Exclusive New Models, Etc.
Additionally, St. Petersburg has developed an excellent five rotary valve EEb
tuba (model 204) which is very reasonably priced and currently in stock. Finally,
we are developing a St. Petersburg 5 rotary valve CC (model 203). I will keep you
informed about this model as it becomes available.
The new Kalison models include the above mentioned cimbassos in F and
CC, and new model F, EEb, and BBb tubas. The F and EEb tubas are 4/4
front action piston instruments, with similar specifications to the Yamaha
YFB-822 series, each featuring a fifth rotary valve. Their new BBb model
is a compact 4/4, four front action piston instrument, reminiscent of
older American made tubas. I will tell you more about these models when
we receive them. Well, thanks again for your interest in The Tuba Exchange. It is always
a pleasure to let you know what we are doing to discover new and
exciting developments for you and all our friends.
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familiar nickel-plated brass.