Beginning fall 2005 I will be leaving Europe and changing my home to Japan where I will be collaborating with the Musashino Academy of music in Tokyo as a brass specialist concentrating on Brass chamber music and large brass ensemble and the Elisabeth University of Music in Hiroshima where I will conduct their excellent wind ensemble.
Japan has been a favorite venue of mine for many years for many reasons other than just sushi! The students there show a dedication and enthusiasm in their studies that is unique in the world and there is no other place I would rather go to teach. Plus, of course, conducting the Elisabeth University Wind Ensemble, makes this move not only attractive but irresistible. I worked with this ensemble last November and it was a huge pleasure. I wait with great anticipation to start our work together.
While I am very happy to be moving to Japan I'm a little sad to be saying goodbye to Europe. I want to thank the Rotterdams Conservatorium and Bern Hochschule for the years I worked there, the Conservatoire de Lausanne for a long 14-year relationship and the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester for taking me into their faculty at an age where other institutes felt it was time to retire. And very especially I want to thank the Fiesole Scuola di Musica for creating circumstances 17 years ago that made it possible to make the move to Europe.
I will miss Europe but while living in Japan I expect to make at least one tour per year back to Europe. I hope to still be a part of the institutions I am leaving.
I always like an adventure and this move has great potential to be one! I am very pleased with these new circumstances. And, of course... there's the sushi!