TromboneChat

I normally attend ATW every spring.

When I had a govt ID access was no problem; after retirement the retiree ID worked until the program was discontinued. So now I just go through the Visitor's Center process.

However. (By the way, I just looked at the site and all the Saturday events are cancelled/moved. I have hotel reservations but will adjust.)

The access process is run by civilian employees and we know there are changes occurring with that workforce.

In the event there is significant change to gate access, perhaps some of our military members can warn us in time.

My valve playing friends said the Tuba-Euph conference had access problems but their impression was it was a software or network issue.

Thanks all.

What is ATW?

It may have something to do with the general chaos in the U.S. government these days.
(Employees wondering if they still have a job, who's in charge here, what rules have changed, ...)

tbdana wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 9:38 amWhat is ATW?

The American Trombone Workshop, sponsored by Pershing's Own. They keep hosting it on an Army Base so access is not as easy as some other conferences. But it's not too bad to get on and enjoy it.

You can apply online for a pass. There should be a link somewhere.

Fruday at 5:00 there will be a John Marcellus tribute concert and I'm participating in that.

I'm looking forward to Friday's tribute.

You can get a pass online, but only for one day. For multiple days you now need to go in person to the Visitor's Center and have your criminal records check and be photographed for the pass.

But's that's if it's business as usual. If it won't be I would just want some warning if possible.

Hello all,

We are looking forward to having everyone come to ATW 2025. We have an exciting lineup of performers, groups, and competitions, and hope that as many people can come as possible.
Ft. Myer has an access point (hyperlinked on the website) where you can apply for a visitors pass for the duration of the conference. This is IN PERSON. This process should take between 5-30 minutes, and you will need a government ID. Please leave yourself a buffer of time, as there are frequently many visitors to Ft. Myer.
Our Visitors center is unchanged from previous years. If we have any issues, we will communicate as quickly as possible. TEW’s access issues came from a computer malfunction, and access had to be handled manually. We (knock on wood) will not have the same issues.

Any word on what if anything is going to happen on Saturday? Seems like all Saturday events got moved to Friday.

No Saturday? Wow....extremely disappointing to say the least.

Terrible news for any vendors. This means that hundreds of local music teachers and music students won't be able to attend at all.

And for many local musicians, this really cuts out the chance to attend at all if we're busy with any lessons or other work during the weekdays.

Major letdown.

Time for the ATW to be civilian-based somewhere besides a military base?

Move it back to Towson U. or U.of Maryland? Morgan State? Shenandoah Conservatory?

Absolutely no need for it to be military-based if all the music educations departments in the area ban together and figure it out.

There are plenty of great, supportive music schools in the area that wouldn't have anybody undergo the hassle of having to be inspected by MP's and obtaining military passes, etc. etc.

ATW is a wonderful resource and institution. Time to move it to where it's universally accessible.

The Saturday gap is unfortunate, but that may just be an aberration.

Remember that ATW and its predecessor ETW have always been free, and I think that's largely due to the support provided by Pershing's Own. Accessibility has normally not been much of a problem.

I wish now I hadn't raised the issue so publicly - it happens that in a 30 year career with Army garrisons I've worked pretty closely with access control staff.

Cmillar wrote: ↑Fri Feb 28, 2025 7:57 am Time for the ATW to be civilian-based somewhere besides a military base?

How did such a non-military activity get moved to a military base in the first place?
Certainly doesn't seem to be crucial to our national security.
With the new focus on readiness, and secretary Hegseth's commitment to "revive the warrior ethos, rebuild the military by matching threats to capabilities, and reestablish deterrence by defending the homeland" - a trombone workshop does not seem like a good fit.

I'm sure there must be local academic institutions that could take over the hosting and sponsorship of the "American Trombone Workshop" and ensure its continued success - with (hopefully) an ongoing partnership with The United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own.”

Posaunus wrote: ↑Fri Feb 28, 2025 12:08 pm
How did such a non-military activity get moved to a military base in the first place?
Certainly doesn't seem to be crucial to our national security.
With the new focus on readiness, and secretary Hegseth's commitment to "revive the warrior ethos, rebuild the military by matching threats to capabilities, and reestablish deterrence by defending the homeland" - a trombone workshop does not seem like a good fit.

I'm sure there must be local academic institutions that could take over the hosting and sponsorship of the "American Trombone Workshop" and ensure its continued success - with (hopefully) an ongoing partnership with The United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own.”

You want it moved from military bases? Easy. Include a scholarship or competition for minority kids. They'll drop faster than they cancel Marine Band concerts.

The reason ATW is in a military base goes back to the start. When they were trying to establish the Eastern Trombone Workshop, they looked for all kinds of venues. The best one turned out to be this military facility because they had good infrastructure for the concerts, lectures, and vendors. Why is it still here? Just because it was easier. Quite frankly, up to this year it was a good working relationship.

ETW was started at Towson in the 1970's
The Navy Band did it for a short time at the Navy Yard.
It was moved to Florida (FSU?) for a few years.
TUSAB has always been VERY supportive, hosting the Tuba-Euphonium Conference and the American Trombone Workshop for many years now.

It costs money to do it anywhere else, and that is usually borne by the vendors. We pay at TUSAB too but it's minimal.

I’d refer any and all with questions to our webpage.

https://usarmyband.com/workshops/the-am ... e-workshop

Please feel free to reach out privately with any questions.

They are not able to stream live this year, but they are recording and will post to YouTube later.