EMMY-WINNING MUSICIAN LEADS LOW BRASS MASTER CLASS
Photo by Maysee Thao / the Advocate
On Tuesday, Dec. 4, MHCC hosted a “Low brass master class” led by professional musician Patrick Sheridan.
Sheridan shared tips and instrumental expertise in an open, two-hour class with Mt. Hood band students and any member of the community who wanted to attend. Musicians from Gresham and surrounding areas heard him speak about some of the practices he finds useful as a musician and how to sharpen techniques and skills.
In an interview with Jupiter Winds, a music-oriented trade publication, Sheridan shared that he originally started with the piano. In the fourth grade, he picked up a sousaphone (also known as a tuba), and that was the beginning of his brass life. Today, he is definitely experienced in the low brass department, having been a part of over 3,000 performances in more than 50 countries, according to Bandworld.
Photo by Maysee Thao / the Advocate
Sheridan has played in many styles of bands, including a professional orchestra and “The President’s Own” United States Marine Corps band, and is well known for his solos on the tuba.
He is also the co-author of “The Breathing Gym,” which Bandworld describes as the “world’s best-selling breathing method for instrumental improvement.” The book and video set includes breathing exercises and is focused on “source of sound for all wind instruments.”
Sheridan was awarded an Emmy Award for the accompanying instructional video in 2009.
He is also heavily involved in the development of low-brass instruments, working with the Jupiter Band Instruments production company. In a 2017 interview with Jupiter Winds, he said he had been playing the Jupiter tuba since 2009, an instrument that specifically led him to play more jazz tunes.
In addition to performing, Sheridan composes and arranges music, as well as serving as a “guest conductor” at universities and grade schools throughout the country. Many of his master classes are free and open to the public, as was his Mt. Hood visit.
Photo by Maysee Thao / the Advocate
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