Luck is not chance, it’s toil. Fortune’s expensive smile is earned. ~ Emily Dickinson


Mr. Ahrens teaches band at Bear River High School in Grass Valley, CA.

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Getting that Heavy Metal Sound

By Susie Ahrens, on March 29th, 2011%

Harvey Phillips started in music by bringing his Father’s violin to band class and trying to play along.  “In 1942, shortly after we entered World War II, our band’s only Sousaphone player joined the Navy, and my high school band director asked me to play Sousaphone.” Arnold Jacobs spent a good part of his youth progressing from bugle to trumpet to trombone and finally to tuba. . . . → Read More: Getting that Heavy Metal Sound

Leave a comment   Recruitment   , , , , ,  

Tuba Q and A: High Range

By Susie Ahrens, on February 2nd, 2011%

Question: What are some helpful techniques for improving the high range of my high school tuba players?  Most high school band music is written in the lower register.

Answer: I was once told that the best way for tuba players to improve their range in the upper register is to play up there. . . . → Read More: Tuba Q and A: High Range

2 comments   Pedagogy   , ,  

For the Love of Tuba

By Susie Ahrens, on January 22nd, 2011%

In 8th grade, my band director, Mr. Hansen asked for a volunteer to play the sousaphone. He said that whoever was interested should come see him at lunch. I was the only one to show up. I had no clue what a sousaphone was. Mr. Hansen brought out this huge white thing and I quickly told him “I can’t play that! It’s too big!” He reassured me that I could and that he would teach me. . . . → Read More: For the Love of Tuba

One comment   Biography   , ,