That's Not Spit, It's Condensation!

Ryan Beach
  • 4.8 (117)
  • MUSIC
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
That's Not Spit, It's Condensation!

“That’s Not Spit, It’s Condensation” is a weekly podcast with conversations and discussions about all things music. In it, we’ll peel back the layers of what makes great musicians great, hoping to inspire others to achieve their maximum potential.http://thatsnotspit.com

  1. #191: Victor Djonorh - What Middle School Band Directors Really Do (And Why It Matters)

    23H AGO

    #191: Victor Djonorh - What Middle School Band Directors Really Do (And Why It Matters)

    In this episode of That's Not Spit, It's Condensation, I sit down with Victor Djonorh, longtime band director at Summit Middle School and assistant director at Edmond Santa Fe, to dive deep into the realities of teaching music at the middle and high school level. We cover:  🎵 How he accidentally became a tuba player  🎓 Lessons from his time at Oklahoma City University  👨‍🏫 What he wishes he knew as a first-year teacher  💡 How he keeps students engaged (and why relationships are everything)  📈 The balance between high standards and student well-being  🎺 Why modeling on your instrument matters more than you think  🧠 How he stays inspired through burnout and busy seasons Whether you're a music educator, band director, or just curious about how great teachers make a difference, this episode is full of insight, humor, and practical wisdom. 🎙️ Subscribe for more deep dives into the world of music and education. Support the show

    1h 14m
  2. #190: Johanna Yarbrough - From Orchestral Challenges to Teaching with Impact

    JUL 2

    #190: Johanna Yarbrough - From Orchestral Challenges to Teaching with Impact

    In this episode, I’m joined by Johanna Yarbrough, who recently transitioned from her role as second horn with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to become the Professor of French Horn at Louisiana State University. What begins as a conversation about career trajectory quickly unfolds into a vulnerable and deeply insightful look at the realities of orchestral life—and what it means to grow beyond it. Johanna shares her early path through public school band, studying abroad in Norway with Frøydis Ree Wekre, and winning the DSO job straight out of Colburn. But we go far beyond the résumé. We dig into: The hidden toll of orchestral pressure on mental health How her identity became entangled with achievement Learning to separate musical excellence from personal worth The challenges of orchestra culture, groupthink, and navigating difficult personalities What she now sees as her mission: helping students become not just better players, but better people From beta blockers and burnout to purpose and pedagogy, this episode explores the messy, human side of a music career. Whether you’re an aspiring orchestral musician, a college student, or a seasoned player wondering “what’s next,” Johanna’s story will hit home.Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts! Support the show

    1h 20m
  3. #189: Is Vennture the Future of Mouthpiece Design for Trumpet Players? | Doug McVey

    JUN 18

    #189: Is Vennture the Future of Mouthpiece Design for Trumpet Players? | Doug McVey

    Doug McVey is the founder of Vennture mouthpieces. He guides the technical direction of Vennture, oversees the development of VennCAD, and designs the tooling and processes used to produce Vennture custom mouthpieces. www.vennture.mp Support the show

    27 min
  4. #188: How to Teach Trumpet: Lessons from 30+ Years of Experience

    JUN 4

    #188: How to Teach Trumpet: Lessons from 30+ Years of Experience

    Michael Anderson is the recently retired Professor of Trumpet at the Wanda L. Bass School of Music at Oklahoma City University. He is a member of the International Trumpet Guild Board of Directors and ITG Journal editorial committee, Executive Director of the Guild’s web site, and chairman of the ITG technology committee. He is the ITG Journal columnist for Trumpet Technology and has presented and performed at several ITG Conferences. Previously to his OCU appointment, he was on the music faculty of Dana College in Blair, Nebraska. Anderson was project manager of the ITG Journal anniversary CD-ROM, distributed to guild members in 2001 and is currently working on a DVD of all Journal articles and music supplements for the membership to be released in 2008. He founded and administrates the Trumpet Players’ International Network (TPIN), the oldest and most active Internet discussion list dedicated to the trumpet. His degrees are from Illinois State University (BM), and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (MM). Primary teachers have been Dennis Schneider, Herbert Koerselman, and Arnold Jacobs. During his 2003 sabbatical, Anderson observed and studied with master teachers including Bill Adam, Vincent DiMartino, Ronald Romm, Michael Ewald, Karl Sievers, and William Pfund. Anderson is a tenured member of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, the Lyric Theater Orchestra and the New Covenant Methodist Church Band. He performs regularly as a duo with Oklahoma City University Organist Timothy Olsen. He was a member of the Lincoln (Nebraska) Symphony Orchestra for 21 years, and performed often with the Omaha Symphony and Opera Omaha. He was a founding member of the Omaha Brass Ensemble, and the Nebraska Brass, and was a member of the Palladium Brass Quintet. He was musical director for the Omaha Big Band and the Omaha Jazz Youth Project. He is an active freelance trumpeter, and has played for countless national tours; recording sessions; and jazz, orchestra and chamber music events. Support the show

    1h 15m
  5. #187: Sound, Self-Belief, and the Path to Trumpet Mastery | Karl Sievers

    MAY 20

    #187: Sound, Self-Belief, and the Path to Trumpet Mastery | Karl Sievers

    Karl Sievers grew up in Louisville, KY. His teachers include Leon Rapier, former principal trumpet in the Louisville Orchestra; Louis Davidson, former principal trumpet in the Cleveland Orchestra; William Adam at Indiana University; and others. Karl holds a DMA in Trumpet Performance, is in his 24th season as principal trumpet in the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and has recently retired from a Presidential Professorship at the School of Music at the University of Oklahoma. In addition to his orchestral work, he plays lead trumpet in jazz, commercial, and Broadway show venues. His passions outside of music include fitness, motorcycles, fishing, and family. Support the show

    1h 48m
  6. #186: What It Really Takes To Win A Top Opera Job (Trombone Edition) | Will Baker

    MAY 7

    #186: What It Really Takes To Win A Top Opera Job (Trombone Edition) | Will Baker

    William A. Baker, was appointed Bass Trombonist of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra in 2024 by Music Director Enrique Mazzola. He also currently serves as the Principal Bass Trombonist of the Monterey Symphony, a post he has held since 2018.  From 2021-2024, Will primarily performed with the San Francisco Symphony, including over 200 performances, and European Tour, and the 2023 SFS recordings with Maestro EsaPekka Salonen.  A native of Walnut Creek, California, Will has performed with the San Francisco Opera and Ballet, the Detroit Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Alabama Symphony, and Malaysian Philharmonic. Will began his professional career in Iowa, performing as the tenured member of Orchestra Iowa from 2013-17 and the Des Moines Symphony since 2014-18. In 2016, while artist in residence with the Southeast Iowa Symphony (SEISO), Will commissioned and premiered a new bass trombone concerto by composer Robert Tindle titled At Sixty Miles An Hour. In 2018, Will premiered the Wind Ensemble arrangement with Travis Cross and the UCLA Wind Ensemble.  Will graduated Cum Laude from UCLA with a BA in music performance, studying Euphonium and Bass Trombone with Patrick Sheridan. He then earned a Masters Degree in Bass Trombone performance at Northwestern University where he studied with Michael Mulcahy, Randall Hawes, Peter Ellefson, and Tim Higgins. After school, Will continued his studies with Kyle Covington of the San Diego Symphony, and all the members of the San Francisco Symphony brass section.  Support the show

    1h 6m
  7. #185: Writing An Etude Book and the Benefits Of Brass Band On Trumpet Playing | Jen Oliverio

    APR 23

    #185: Writing An Etude Book and the Benefits Of Brass Band On Trumpet Playing | Jen Oliverio

    Dr. Jennifer Oliverio is a celebrated cornet and flugelhorn player who holds the positions of principal cornet with the Fountain City Brass Band and flugelhorn with the Athena Brass Band. Jen is currently the Assistant Professor of Music in trumpet at Missouri Western State University and one of the directors for the Fountain City Youth Brass Academy. Jen is an avid supporter of new music for cornet and flugelhorn, having commissioned and premiered solo works by Lucy Pankhurst, Dorothy Gates, Kevin Day, Andrea Hobson, Jen Mitchell, and Joel Collier for her premiere solo album Enigma. Her work on Enigma received overwhelmingly positive reviews and was nominated for the 4barsrest Album of the Year,  a silver medal in the Global Music Awards, and winner of the 2023 American Prize in brass performance. Jen has served on the board of directors for the Fountain City Brass Band, the Athena Brass Band, the Visionary Panel for the National Youth Brass Band of America, and currently as the column editor for the International Trumpet Guild’s cornet column. As a clinician, Jen regularly performs and presents at national and international festivals including: the International Trumpet Guild Conference, Brass Institutes of America, International Women’s Brass Conference, PRIZM Chamber Music Festival, and the Eastman Summer Trumpet Institute. In her freelance work, Jen has performed as an extra with the Kansas City Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Alabama Symphony and is a founding member of the Trilogy Brass Trio. As a teacher, Jen has had students accepted as semi-finalists in the National Trumpet Competition, semi-finalists for the International Trumpet Guild solo competitions, and as winners in the North American Brass Band Championships solo and ensemble competitions.  Jen is proud mother to son Ben and wife to husband Patrick. Support the show

    51 min
  8. #184: Preparing For Solo Competitions and Handling Failure | Grace O'Connell

    APR 9

    #184: Preparing For Solo Competitions and Handling Failure | Grace O'Connell

    Grace O’Connell is a highly diverse musician with equal passions for soloing, orchestral playing, and chamber music. Grace frequently plays in the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and Huntsville Symphony Orchestra trumpet sections and is also a dynamic soloist and active competitor in national and international competitions. Most recently she was named first place winner of the Roger Voisin Memorial Trumpet Competition (2024). She was also named first place winner in the International Trumpet Guild Solo Division (2023), MTNA Young Artist Solo Division (2022), as well as the National Trumpet Competition Undergraduate Division (2022). She has been a featured soloist with the Eastern Music Festival Orchestra, Southern Stars Symphonic Brass Band, and Middle Tennessee Sinfonietta. In 2021 and 2023, Grace was the recipient of two separate URECA Grants from MTSU, aiding her in completing several solo trumpet recordings for digital release which are available on various music streaming platforms. She is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree from Yale University and holds a Bachelor of Music from Middle Tennessee State University. Her primary teachers include John Aley, Michael Arndt, and Kevin Cobb. Support the show

    1h 3m
See All (189)

4.8
out of 5
117 Ratings

About

“That’s Not Spit, It’s Condensation” is a weekly podcast with conversations and discussions about all things music. In it, we’ll peel back the layers of what makes great musicians great, hoping to inspire others to achieve their maximum potential.http://thatsnotspit.com

Information

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada