New Year

Hello everyone.
I hope you all are having a restful break! Was Santa good to you? Life here in wet, soggy Mt. Pleasant (my garage partially flooded today from the warm weather, the snow melting, and the rain. Nothing got damaged) is busy as usual. We have been busy with Sarah's chemo treatments, a quick trip to Chicago, and family and friends occasionally visiting. It seems like I have been down at the office every day this week and most days last week (along with Professor Nichol) getting the ITEA winter journal advertising completed and lots and lots of small details down for MWRTEC.

In the meantime, I just realized that I did not send out the "official" announcement of my sabbatical replacement. After lots of talks with Dr. L'Hommedieu, we finally decided on hiring Scott Hansen to teach BOTH the tubas and euphoniums. Scott studied with Dan Perantoni back at Arizona State University the same time as Dr. Lindahl. He is very excited about teaching all of you. He and I have been on the phone several times a week (which is funny, because the times I am not on the phone with him, I am on the phone with Deanna about MWRTEC) trying to get it all planned out. He will be added to this account so he can send out group announcements, or, individual ones as needed. He will be contacting each of you individual over the next couple of weeks, trying to get items in order for your first lesson.

I am confident that you will enjoy taking lessons from him. His teaching style will most likely be very different from mine, but has established himself over the years as a well-respected teacher and performer. Scott is highly active in the tuba/euphonium world. He has currently taken on the treasurers position with ITEA (I tell him who to send the invoices to for ITEA), and is the Falcone competition CD coordinator (he took my old position that drove me nuts in early April) as of last year. He and Deanna travel the world dealing with tuba and euphonium issues. He is known by everyone in the industry, and again, is highly respected. So, go into your lessons with an open mind, try new things, take what works and remember what doesn't work. Even the items that don't work for you now will some day work for one of your students!

And yes, you will be seeing me around way too much. With all the little items that keep cropping up with MWRTEC, it seems that I need to be at school way more than I should have to.

As to Sarah's chemo. We are down to 14 more days of the hard stuff. After January 14th, we head into a much easier process called "Maintenance." That will be once a month trips to G. R. (for two years) and a bunch of oral medications for her. She is doing well. Though, we almost had a couple of trips to the hospital, but managed to stay out of it. She has lost all of her remaining hair. But hopefully in the next couple of months it will start growing back.

Have a great New Year's Eve and be careful driving if you are out and about tonight. If you need something from me over the next couple of weeks, please call the house. If I am not there, leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Thanks,
Mark

Music Return

It is that time of year...time to return that music that you checked out for "two weeks." When you get the chance, please either:
1. Stop by the office and refile the music, or
2) Leave it at the front office WITH MY NAME ON IT (on a Post-It)

I do not want my music going to your home for the break. Too often, the music either does not return, or, it takes weeks/months to get it back.

Thanks,

Dr. Cox

Tuba Room painting and repair

Tuba players,
I need to ask a favor. We need to have your tubas out of the tuba room by tomorrow (7 December) for painting and restoration to the room. They are going to replace the drywall behind the racks, and maybe put some plywood in to protect the back walls, as well as paint the entire room. If you need some place to store your instruments for a couple of days, they can be placed in the Brass Tech/Marching Band storage room (between 155 and 156, where the sousaphones are kept). If you do not move your horn, then the painters or Dan Koefoed will move your instrument there for you.

Thanks and have a great (and well-deserved) break.

Dr. Cox

Wednesday Lessons for Dec. 1st

For those of you that have lessons (except Chelsea) on Wednesday, 1 December 2010, I just found out this afternoon that we (Sarah and I) will have to be at clinic for most of the day on Wednesday. They are requiring that I be there. Thus, I will need (and want to) reschedule your lesson (Tuesday people, your lessons are fine). Please stop by my office sometime tomorrow to reschedule your lesson to later in the week (Thursday or Friday), or sometime during final's week. I am truly sorry for this. I could put in for a 'sick day' and not have to make up the lessons, but there is NO WAY that I want to do that. So please stop by and get a new time. As I told you earlier in the semester, this segment of chemo is called "Delayed Intensification," words and calendar Mary Jo and I have been dreading. The last day of this segment is January 14th (it was just moved from the 5th to the 14th, adding nine more days to the segment) and life gets back to some normality.

I am sorry this semester has been so strange and I (and my wife) truly want to thank all of you for being so patient!

AND - MY DOOR LOOKS GREAT!!!!

Dr.'s Cox

Brass Band Personnel

After conferring with my colleagues and Dr. Campbell, I have finally put together a list for next semester's brass band. Since we are not having auditions this semester (we will starting in the Fall of 2011), prior brass band performers were placed first. The open seats were my decision and my decision only. I took into account a number of items before I made the placements. So, here is the list:

Baritone 1 - Ryan Grainer
Baritone 2- William Thompson

Euphonium 1 - Daniel Turchyn
Euphonium 2 - Danielle VanTuinen

High Tuba 1- Daniel Wilhelm
High Tuba 2 - Christopher Fenner

Low Tuba 1 - Tyler Dunham
Low Tuba 2 - Adam Graves

If someone from this list does not want to perform, then I will confer with my "waiting list." Please do not ask where you stand on that list. I will only use it if necessary. Don't forget, you MUST sign up for M281B for credit or you can not play.

For the auditions in the fall, we still have to work out the details. As I know more, I will pass them on to you.

Thank you for your patience.

Dr. Cox

Central Foundation Auditions

Hello all.
After auditions last night, the group has decided that Tyler Dunham will be the next tubist in Central Foundation. I would like to congratulate both him and Adam Graves for auditioning. Tyler will join the group and be on probation (a status everyone who joins C. F. must go through) until the end of the academic year (through April, 2011). Speaking of Tyler, don't forget that tomorrow is our first Brass Area recital featuring him, as well as Jessica Parij and Dan Turchyn. I will see you there.
Dr. Cox

Ensemble Rehearsal Schedule

Hello everybody.

I have changed the rehearsal schedule to allow the seniors more time to rehearse. In doing this, I have given up some of my rehearsal time. So please, practice the music I am conducting, even though we will not look at it as a group for a while. Here is the future rehearsal schedule:

Oct. 12th (tomorrow) - Room 155
11:00 - Corey Jahlas
11:25 - Jessica Parij

October 14th - Room 230
11:00 - Chelsea Gelisse
11:25 - Katheren Rollins

October 19th - Room 230
11:00 Zach VanderGraaff
11:25 Dan Wilhelm

October 21 - Room 230
11:00-11:50 - Dr. Cox

October 26 - Staple
BRASS AREA RECITAL (Tyler Dunham performing "Triumph of the Demon Gods" by John Stevens)

The rest of the times and people rehearsing will be posted as I figure out who needs the time (Oct 28, Nov. 2, 4, 9, 11)

As to our dress rehearsal - it will be:
SUNDAY - NOVEMBER 14th
Time: 6:00 -10:00 pm
Location: Staples
Everyone is REQUIRED to attend this rehearsal. Start getting out of work, back from visiting family, etc. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Concert is November 16th at 8:00 pm on Staples. Concert call is 6:45. Concert attire is concert black.

I think that is it for now. See you all tomorrow.

Dr. Cox

Studio Class- 21 Sept. 2010

Just a reminder, you do not need to bring instruments to studio class today. We will be having a visitor, Neal Corwell, who will be performing and giving us a masterclass. Neal is a good friend, great performer and composer. To read up on Dr. Corwell, please visit his site:
http://nealcorwell.com/

We are in room 230 today.

Thank you,
Dr. Cox

Sunday's Masterclass

Please remember that Sunday's concert and masterclass with Randy Hawes and George Curran are required events (See Dr. Lindahl's email sent out on September 3rd for more information). On top of that, it should be a fantastic concert that most low brass players around the country would die to go to.

Unfortunately for me, I will not be there. Sarah and I are in the hospital (and have been in here since Thursday) and will MAYBE get out tomorrow afternoon (Sunday). She had an anaphylactic reaction to one of her cancer shots and is still have allergic reactions to it. Hopefully I will see all of you sometime on Monday.

Thanks,

Dr. Cox

Friday (9.10.10) - Out of office

Hello all.
Change of plans. I will NOT be in today (Friday, 10 Sept. 2010) to my office. Sarah had a major allergic reaction at clinic yesterday to one of her medicines and ended us up in the hospital for an overnight stay. She is still having reactions, which means we will most likely be here another night. If you need me, please email me. If it is an EMERGENCY, then call my cell phone.
Have a great day.

Thanks,
Dr. Cox

Studio Class- 7 Sept. 2010

Studio,
Change in Tuba/Euph ensemble location for today. We are in Staples Recital Hall instead of room 231. See you there.

Dr. Cox

Studio Party

Hello all.
The studio party for this semester is this Sunday at 3:00 pm out at our house. All you need to bring is your good looks, charm, and personalities - we will supply the rest. If you can't make it until later, this is perfectly fine. Directions to my house has changed a little because of construction. Here they are:

- Take Broomfield Rd. East (towards Midland)
- Cross over Interstate 127
- You come up on a stop light. This is Summerton Rd.
Normally you would keep going straight, but the next two miles of road are under construction.
- Turn RIGHT on Summerton Rd.
- Go one mile
- Turn LEFT on Deerfield Rd.
- Go one mile
-Turn RIGHT on Leaton Rd.
- Drive 3/4 of a mile, my house is one the left.
The address is:
5611 S. Leaton Rd.

The house is white with green shutters and green roof.
For you older people, the barn is NO LONGER there!

If you go too far, the road dead-ends in another 1/4 mile, it dead-ends into the interstate.


If you have dietary issues (vegetarian, allergies, etc.), please let me know.

And - NO ALCOHOL!!!

See you all this Sunday (8/29/10)

The Drs Cox

Welcome Back!

Hello all.
Hope your summer has treated you well! Ours, obviously, has been hectic, with many trips to Grand Rapids. I have gotten to know that route more than I had ever wanted to. Sarah is doing well, for the most part. Back in July (the day before my birthday - a great present!) her Leukemia was in remission. Though wonderful news, the doctors continue on as if she still has cancer. More on this later.

This looks to be an exciting semester, and year, coming up. We will be hosting, with WMU and Dr. Swoboda, the Midwest Tuba and Euphonium Conference here at CMU in March. An event I am really excited about having on campus. Now, it is not in place yet, Dr. Swoboda is working on it, but I think the guest artists will be the President's Band top quartet. We had them at the Falcone Festival a couple of years ago and they were great! We also have a new interim trumpet professor. As most of you know, after 40+ years teaching here at CMU, Dr. Horton retired. We had a large pool of qualified candidates apply for the one-year position, and am glad to announce that Dr. Edward Phillips will be filling in. He is such a qualified candidate, that if he applies for the permanent position, I am fairly sure he will be one of the ones being considered for it.

As to the Brass Band, the brass faculty are in full support of keeping it going. There are several options we are looking in to, but I can't discuss them at this time. We want to get together as a full body (all four brass teachers) and discuss it in detail next week. So please be patient.

As to lessons this year, here is where it gets a little complicated. I will have to take Sarah down to out-patient clinic either on Monday or Thursday, depending on the week (in a few weeks, we go from every week, to every 10 days, thus the rotation). So, I will be teaching my lessons ALL day Tuesday and Wednesday. I will coaching CF and other groups on Fridays. I have the lesson schedule up on my bulletin board, so please stop by and sign up - first come, first served. And lessons DO start the first week of school. As to Thursday studio classes, the days that I have to be out of town to GR, we will still have Tuba/Euph ensemble. We have, I believe, six seniors conducting this year, so they will be conducting on those days (we will treat them as if I have a faculty meeting - like we have done in the past). The other Thursdays that I am here, I will either conduct or critic the seniors who are conducting.

Seniors who are conducting - please stop by my office ASAP and pick out the music that you want to conduct. If it is something that I have to order, stop by even sooner!

Freshmen - make sure to introduce yourself to anyone hold a tuba (or sousaphone) or euphonium (and everyone else, introduce yourself to them). If you need anything from me, please call me, in the evenings, at home (989.828.6481). Don't forget your:
- tuner
-music
-metronome
-Instrument
-valve oil
- slide grease
- and an MP3 player, if you have one (you will want to load it up with tuba and euphonium music).

Studio party - we will have the yearly studio party sometime in the first week or two of school. As usual, we will have to work around the marching band schedule (the first game is 9/2/10). Food, games, and maybe a movie at my house.

Concert Band Audition - please remember to prepare something for Professor Williamson for you concert band seating auditions. The auditions usually take place in the first week of classes. He likes something that compares and contrasts (slow and melodic combined with technique. It can be be two or more different works, etudes, etc. performed for him).

OK, I think that is it for now. Buckle up. The crazy ride begins soooon.

See you all shortly.

Dr. Cox

Update from the summer

Hello all. I hope you are having a great summer! I thought I would give you an update on some unfortunate news we just received this morning and did not want you hearing it through the grapevine. My daughter, Sarah, was just diagnosed with Leukemia. It is in the early stages and the most common type of Leukemia. We will be "working" with this for the next 2 1/2 years for recovery. The prognosis is that she be get back to normal self, but will take some time. So, I just wanted you to know so that if you heard rumors, you would know what is happening.

Thanks and I will see you soon.

Dr. Cox

Soon to Arizona

Hello all.
I hope you are having a great start to your summer. Things have been incredibly busy here, with very little down time (solo performances, recording sessions, etc.). MJ and I will be leaving for Tucson on Tuesday. Our flight is at 7:30 am, so we will need to leave our house sometime between 3:00-3:30 am - UGH! Zach and Chelsea called me tonight, they are in New Mexico (staying the night). Their GPS said they have 150 miles to go tomorrow and they will be there.
The weather is going to be hot. So dress appropriately. Dr Swoboda is already out there and the temperature has been over 100 degrees. Speaking of her, she has already called me twice to ask me to bring stuff (mostly electronic items) that she forgot (and I own). So, if a consummate professional like her can forget stuff, PLEASE double-check to see that you have everything for the trip:
1. Music
2. Instrument (in PERFECT working order)
3. Mouthpiece (I would hate for you to have to buy a new one)
4. Everything else (see Jessica's emails)

So, as you can see, MIME, think this as you pack.

I am really looking forward to our concert on Saturday! See you out in the sunshine, cactus and red dirt!

Dr. Cox

Final rehearsal

Would everyone please bring their finals schedule to rehearsal today. We need to find one last ensemble rehearsal time during finals week. If we can, then we will not need to rehearse until we are out in Arizona for the conference.
Thanks,

Dr. Cox

Jury sigh-up sheets on out

For those who are performing a Freshmen or Sophomore jury (200 or 300), the sign-up sheets are on Dr. Lindahl's door. First come, first served. I hope to see all of your names on sheet by the end of the week.

Thanks,

Dr. Cox

Spring Studio Recital

Spring studio recital - this Sunday, 28 March 2010 at 4:00 pm at the 1st Presbyterian Church. The address for the church is 1250 Watson. This is about 6 blocks from the music building. If you do not know where it is, please ask or get a ride from someone who does know. This is a REQUIRED concert. I will be at the church around 3:00 (3:00 or a little later) if you want to come and play a few notes.

See you there -
Dr. Cox

Phil Smith Recital

Just a reminder, though not a required concert, it is HIGHLY advised that you attend the Phil Smith concert in Staples at 8:00 pm. It should be an amazing concert.

Thank you,

Dr. Cox

Zach Vandergraaff's Recital

Studio,
Please do NOT forget that Zach's recital is tomorrow night (Friday, 19 March 2010) at 7:00 pm here in Chamichian Hall. This is a mandatory recital.

Dr. Cox

Studio Class for 3/16

Studio class for Tuesday, 16 March, will be in room 119. We will be rehearsing ensemble music, so please bring instrument and stand (and ear plugs).

Dr. Cox

Not at the office this morning

Hello everyone. Hope you had a good weekend - soon spring break will be here. I will not be in today due to an emergency root canal that I am going to have this morning (no kidding). I am hoping that it will be done in time (and I feel good enough) to go over to the high school to WMU's brass quintet at 1:40. If you need anything, please shoot me an email. I will have my iPhone at the dentist office and will probably be sitting around a lot.
Thanks,

Dr. Cox

Studio class - 2.16.10

Hello everyone.
Studio class for tomorrow, 16 February 2010, bring MUSIC and PENCIL ONLY! We are in room 230. Do not bring any instruments. We are going to be listening to last semester's concert.

See you then,

Dr. Cox