A school where I teach is considering selling their Selmer
rosewood contra alto clarinet. It is in excellent condition, though I
do not know the serial #. Can anyone give a rough estimate as to
value, and if there is interest for these horns?
---------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 16
Apr 2005 00:12:33 -0400
Subject: [CB]
A SARRUSOPHONE in Concert
From: Robert
Howe
Hi friends,
On this very
day, Saturday 16 April 2005, I have the honor to play contrabass
sarrusophone with the Manchester (CT) Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in
a performance of Lila Boulanger's "Psalm 129". The conductor has
asked if I might demonstrate the instrument to the audience. Initially
I declined but on reflection, I think that I shall do so; we woodwind
fanatics can use all the publicity for our odd beasts that we can get.
The instrument
I am using is an Eb contra. by Conn, #273 of the 300 made for the US
military in the early 1920s. The part, like most French music
from that period calling for contra, is intended for C contrabass, but
my trusty Eb misses only one low Bb. The instrument plays
surprisingly well given my limited practice and rehearsal time and
makes a real difference in the sound of the ensemble. It is very
well in tune. A tuba is also used as the bass of the brass choir;
I find the trade off between sarrusophone and tuba to be a dialogue of
equals, unlike what we would have were the sarrusophone part to be
played on contrabasssoon.
Details of the
concert are at
www.msoc.org.
Although the MSOC is a community group, the sound is quite good and the
performance will be more than credible. I just wish we had a few
more choristers, say three or four busloads of each voice, to balance
my low D's and C#'s.
I hope to see
you there.
Ciao
Robert Howe