Douglas Burden: Bass Trombonist and Educator

In this episode I speak with a wonderful colleague, the Bass Trombonist Douglas Burden, who has recently retired from Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra after 50 years. He shares his perspectives on his career, including wisdom passed down from some of his mentors including Emory Remington and Arnold Jacobs, and the lessons he learned about staying healthy and keeping his playing at the highest level. Doug is also well-known as an educator and will continue to teach at the University of Ottawa; he also shares his thoughts on what an orchestral career means, his memories of different conductors, his practice tips, and the importance of balancing different aspects of a life well-lived.

As I point out in the intro,I'm including a link to Doug's gorgeous singing style in a Bordogni Vocalise (since we weren't able to use the recording he made during the episode due to a technical problem): https://youtu.be/p5ti8bKzsEg

Below I've included timestamps for the many topics covered. 

All these episodes are also available as videos, here's the link: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/douglas-burden-bass-trombonist-and-educator

Help me keep this podcast going with a tip! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman

photo credit: Fred Cattroll 

(00:00) Intro

(01:44) playing as singing, Jack Everly

(04:12) how to anticipate the beat, release the sound, Mario Bernardi and history of NACO

(10:41) role of low brass in an orchestra

(14:06) types of trombones, particularities of the instrument

(17:14) Arnold Jacobs

(26:03) Doug’s start in music and family background

(30:15) Emory Remington’s legacy and his sudden death, Donald Knaub

(38:15) starting out in NACO and many brass players at the time: Gordon Cherry, Bob Odes, Gene Watts, Chuck Kaellenbach

(40:02) Pinchas Zukerman and establishing contracts for positions like bass trombone

(45:37) changes in the working conditions over the years

(46:58) changes in auditions

(49:57) advice for musicians preparing orchestral auditions, more about Arnold Jacobs

(53:42) Intonation

(01:00:56) Endurance, preventing injury, staying in good physical shape and taking care of yourself

(01:16:17) Franz-Paul Decker

(01:20:11) score study, practice routine, practicing Bach Cello Suites

(01:31:12) advice for serious students contemplating an orchestral career