HOBBY OR LIFESTYLE: CANADIAN BRASS’ "MOST TRAVELED" FANS GET CREATIVE & SHOW THAT DEDICATION PAYS OFF
We would like to congratulate John Stover for his iPhone screen shot taken of Chuck with his “new” Vintage 2J Conn Tuba! Not only is the picture a screen shot, but also it was taken during the live feed of the record release concert at LPR in New York, 2012. Talk about commitment! As winner of our first photo contest, we are awarding him with this autographed copy of his photo as seen here, and an autographed copy of Takes Flight – the first non-piano recording on the new Steinway Label.
Rosemarie & John Stover are not your average classical music fans, and it seems they never have been. During the following year of their first Canadian Brass concert in Washington DC, the couple attended 15 concerts totaling an incredible 5000 miles, and they had only just begun. Since that first concert in 1997, the Stovers have continued to add to their (now) 350+ CB concerts attended, while managing to keep in contact with past members. Their commitment to the group’s sound over the years has allowed the Stovers to become a very unique and special part of the Canadian Brass family!!
The Stovers’ dedication has generated CB’s very own Million Mile Club. To truly appreciate this undertaking (so far, Stovers’ total distance travelled equaling almost a quarter million miles) understand that they have travelled to more cities and venues with Canadian Brass than four of the group’s current brass players. Thus they are now the most seasoned of the Canadian Brass members, not including CB’s co-founder and tuba player of course, the resolute force himself — Chuck. The picture you see marks their 353rd Canadian Brass concert in Markham, Ontario, April 2012.
Our thanks go out to the other contestants for sharing their photos. Of course there can only be one winner, but we encourage you to continue to post your photos of Chuck & his Conn Tuba to our facebook fan page.
We appreciate your support and keep listening!
Upon notice of his win, our recording label’s online promoter reached out to John to find out more about his photo entry and how long he had known Canadian Brass. This is what he said…
“Our connection with Canadian Brass began in 1997 when, at the request of our daughter, we [my wife, Rosemarie & I] attended our first concert in Washington, DC. Having heard CB on recordings, we expected to enjoy ourselves but had no idea where this concert would lead us in the next 15 years.
On the way home after that first concert, we planned a trip to hear another performance. In just over a year, we went to 15 concerts and traveled more than 5,000 miles. We both were retired from teaching in 1998 and, as a reward to ourselves, we planned a trip to Germany where CB just happened to be on tour.
Shortly before that tour, we learned that David Ohanian was leaving Canadian Brass! Although we had only known the group for a year and a half, it seemed to us as though it would never change. And now, David, who had become a friend, would be gone.
Looking back over 15 years and the changes in the makeup of the quintet, we realize that every time a member leaves, CB changes, yet stays the same. It maintains the standard of excellence to which other brass quintets are compared.
To say that we have done the unusual is probably an understatement. We have traveled 160,000 miles, visited 138 cities, 185 venues in 36 states plus Washington, DC, and four other countries to hear CB 350+ times. Perhaps ‘bizarre’ isn’t even the right word to describe what we call our retirement hobby.
As CB members moved on to other ventures, we have continued to stay in touch with them and attend their performances. As a result of our relationship with the current and former members of the Brass, we have met other musicians and have branched out in their directions. These two side ventures have added 80,000 miles to our travels.
The last 15 years and nearly a quarter million miles have enriched us in ways we never could have dreamed of. We’ve met fantastic people, seen amazing sights, heard beautiful music, and built up a storehouse of memories that we treasure.”
John Stover, 2012
3 Responses to “HOBBY OR LIFESTYLE: CANADIAN BRASS’ "MOST TRAVELED" FANS GET CREATIVE & SHOW THAT DEDICATION PAYS OFF”
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John and Rosemarie’s hobby has been fun for me as I got to know the Canadian Brass through the Stover’s interest.
I first met the Stovers at a Rex Richardson concert in London and now I see them whenever I can. So now I am a big fan of CB, AND Rex, AND John and Rosemarie!
I met John & Rosemarie in (I think) New Jersey – at the time of Joe’s second concert … and had the priviledge of carrying Gene’s trombone case back to the hotel (I have the picture to prove it with Gene and Chuck). Then met them again in Buiffalo, and in New Hampshire (oh, on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee – Wolfeboro ……) I’m sure we’ve seen each other at several other concerts — I can’t claim the number of shows, but have ALL but one of the recordings of the Brass!!! So …. continue enjoying them, John and Rosemarie – and I agree with you … as members change, the dynamics might be affected slightly, but the quality continues. Thank you Chuck – and I look forward to seeing you sometime soon.