Member Profile

	Dave Gray Cornet dagray@mchsi.com
Joined the EIBB in Feb. of 2003	Started playing trumpet in 1961. Dave also plays the flugel horn, tenor horn, baritone horn, clarinet and saxophone (although for the purposes of the brass band he is never allowed to mention the last two). He says he has played them too long and not long enough. Dave says he will keep playing, "until the "chops" fail. EIBB is an extremely active musical organization so finding time for additional playing opportunities is not a goal right now."
Dave grew up in Rock Island, IL.
He got his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Augustana College in Rock Island, Il. then went on and got his Master of Arts (administration) from the University of Iowa in Iowa City.
Dave is a former Jr.High/High School Band Director and for the past 29 years he has worked as Director of a large support service department at the University of Iowa.
	Dave's most memorable moments with the IEBB include: The standing ovation at the Iowa Bandmasters Convention in Des Moines as a guest band in 2005. Many old friends were there from my past teaching years, and it made for great fun to reconnect with them again and hear the many compliments given to the band. A standing ovation from a musically educated and critical audience is quite an accomplishment. Also, the two West Branch, Iowa, Hooverfest concerts. Terrific audience attendence, response, and an over all great exposure for the band. , Only the concerts when the band out numbered the audience in attendence, and the summer heat and humidity dampened our strength and enthusiasm to perform. Thankfully this doesn't happen often and generally we have a good audience turn out. Kingdom Triumphant Sing, sing, sing And the Band Played On
Dave says, "I've played in quite a few different ensembles over my playing career. Mostly musical pit orchestras, dance bands, jazz bands, brass quintets, wind bands, and a couple of brass choirs. Playing in a Brittish Style brass band like EIBB has been a completely different experience. The performance demands are unique given the technical challenges of the music,the importance of very controlled playing, and creating the traditional "dark and mellow" sonority expected of a brass band is quite challenging. I love the challenge of it! "My hobbies are fairly typical and involve fishing, golf, gardening, and learning new things that challenge my viewpoint of the world. "My most important interest and goal in life is being the world's best Grandfather for my little granddaughter and grandson. All other things are secondary in my interest category."
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