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My Con is over, and I’m on a train bound for Baltimore. The Philadelphia Comic-Con runs through tomorrow—and it would’ve been fun to watch the Sci-Fi Speed Dating—but I’ve done everything I wanted to do here, and decided to cut costs by going home a little early. I had three goals for today: attend a […]
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I started writing comics a few years ago, and since then have attended a decent number of conventions. If you’re a comic creator, conventions are part of the gig. That’s where the pros are, that’s where the fans are, that’s where you network and get the word out. It’s the best way to stay current […]
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I’m back in Philly for the Philadelphia Comic-Con. Timing wasn’t great, given I had just gotten home from a trumpet conference in Georgia. But as I’m trying to be a part of this industry, and I need an artist for a new book, and Philly is so close, it seemed a waste not to come. […]
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Today was the final day of the Conference. As great as it’s been, I was ready to be back home, soaking in the quiet. The day started with the dress rehearsal for the Festival of Trumpets. The jazz groups decided not to meet until 1:30 (just before the concert) so the rhythm section wouldn’t be […]
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By Day 4 of any trumpet conference, I’m suffering from trumpet hangover. I open the car door at 8 AM, I hear a kid outside the garage playing a trumpet and my heart just sinks. After three consecutive fourteen-hour days of in-your-face trumpets, it takes something pretty special to keep you engaged, let alone get […]
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To make the most out of an ITG Conference, you have to prioritize. Go through your schedule and mark every clinic, masterclass, recital and concert you cannot miss. With the time slots remaining, mark the events you’d love to see. Then, in the margin, make a list of unscheduled priorities (Buying an E-flat trumpet, getting […]
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It seems that every friend I ever had is here at the International Trumpet Guild Conference. Seven of the eight people I played with in the North Texas Wind Symphony trumpet section are here. My first teacher, Kevin Eisensmith, has always been deeply invested in ITG, and can be counted on to attend every year. […]
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As I write this, two of my colleagues and I are driving from the Atlanta International Airport to Columbus, Georgia for the 2012 International Trumpet Guild Conference. Money for these kinds of events is scarce these days. While funding was bountiful, they might have been considered a worthwhile expense; “professional development” or whatever. Now they’re […]
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Yesterday, the 2011 Pulitzer Prizes winners were announced. For those who don’t know, the Pulitzers recognize excellence in various categories of American writing and journalism, extending as far as Music, Drama, Photography, Cartooning and Public Service. There’s also an occasional Special Citation for Lifetime Achievement. I usually look up the winners out of curiosity, especially […]
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