SassyBlonde

At the very moment I was typing that last post, D came in to deliver the sad news that Milt Stevens, trombonist with the National Symphony and Washington Symphonic Brass, passed away this past weekend unexpectedly.

I have to admit, I didn't have many chances to work with him myself, but I can claim one notable exception:

Milt hosted his famous "Tune It Or Die" workshop every year at the National Orchestral Institute, and I attended when I was there. Talk about a crash course in excellence-- this guy really knew how to being home the idea of personal artistic integrity and responsibility with humor and elan.

Funny, brilliant, classy and just a generally nice guy, and I know he'll be missed. If I wasn't already sad tonight, now I really am.