Congratulations to the semi-finalists and alternates for the 2025 Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival Competition!
NOTE: Individual letters to applicants with results of the competition will be sent out by the end of May 6. Comments for those who had requested them will be sent in early June.
This is the link to the webpage listing the semi-finalists and alternates
This year, we're doubling the excitement! In celebration of our Fortieth Anniversary, we’re honoring a cherished festival tradition by welcoming not one, but two exceptional guest artists to the stage. We are pleased to present Dr. Fernando Deddos, Euphonium, and Albert Khattar, Tuba, from Brazil. More...
Blue Lake’s founder and president emeritus, Fritz Stansell, has passed away at the age of 92. Fritz Stansell was also one of the original founders of the Falcone Festival and had an incredible impact on the music world. We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing. Our most sincere condolences to the Stansell family and BLFAC community during these difficult times. He leaves a legacy that will forever inspire our mission and vision. Thank you, Mr. Stansell. Ars longa, vita brevis. You can read his obituary here.
The Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival has gained recognition as the premier event of its kind. Born in 1986 as a competition for both student and artist level euphonium performers, the event evolved into a true festival in 1991 when its sponsoring committee expanded its offerings to include lessons, ensembles, seminars, and clinics with some of the world's greatest euphonium virtuosi. You can read more of our history here»
Student and artist level competitions remain integral to the Festival. The competition has a truly international flavor, with contestants attending from countries around the world.
The Falcone Festival is held each summer, over a four day period, and has been housed since its inception at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan. In addition to the competition aspect of the Festival, participants are offered the opportunity to attend master classes and recitals provided by internationally recognized euphonium/tuba artists. For more information about Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, please visit their web site at bluelake.org. Please note: during the Festival, Blue Lake will be on Eastern Daylight Saving time.
Competition cash prizes are underwritten by foundations, companies, and friends who believe in the values of the Festival. If you are interested in providing support to the Festival, please let us know! You may participate as an award sponsor or an advertiser, or if you have another idea, please contact us for more information.
All times listed are Eastern Daylight Saving Time.
You can download a pdf of the daily events schedule here
* Events open to the general public
Friday, August 8, 2025 |
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| 3:00-4:30 pm | Welcome and Competition Orientation | Marek South | ||
| *7:30 pm | Guest Artist(s) Recital | Blodgett Recital Hall | ||
Saturday, August 9, 2025 |
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| 9:00 am-2:30 pm | Unaccompanied semi-final competition | Check-in at SAC Mezzanine | ||
| 1:00-6:15 pm | Rehearsals with collaborative pianists | SAC Mezzanine | ||
| *7:30 pm | Festival Adjudicators Recital | Blodgett Recital Hall | ||
Sunday, August 10, 2025 |
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| 9:00 am-noon | Accompanied semi-final competition | Check-in at SAC Mezzanine | ||
| noon-12:30 pm | Competitors (with instruments & shirts) photo session with adjudicators | Blodgett Foyer | ||
| 12:30-1:30 pm | Luncheon and announcement of finalists | Marek South | ||
| 1:30-3:30 pm | All non-finalists confer with judges | Marek South | ||
| 1:30 pm | Tuba Artist finalists meet with conductor Euphonium Artist and all Student finalists select rehearsal times with collaborative pianists |
SAC Ensemble Room Blodgett Foyer |
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| 2:00-4:00 pm | Euphonium Artist and all Student finalists rehearse with collaborative pianists | SAC Mezzanine | ||
| 2:10-2:50 pm | Euphonium and Tuba Clinic for BLFAC campers | SAC 125 | ||
| 2:10-3:40 pm | Tuba Artist finalists and Guest Artist(s) rehearse with Festival Band | Stewart Shell | ||
| 3:50-4:30 pm | Festival Euphonium-Tuba Ensemble rehearsal (Adjudicators, Artist + Student Division Competitors) | Stewart Shell | ||
| *7:30 pm | Festival Band with Guest Artist(s) and Festival Euphonium-Tuba Ensemble Live streaming of concert available on the web | Stewart Shell | ||
Monday, August 11, 2025 |
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| *8:30-9:00 am | Combined Euphonium & Tuba warm up session | Blodgett Recital Hall | ||
| *8:10-10:20 am | Artist Divisions Masterclass Student Divisions Masterclass |
Blodgett Recital Hall Niblock Hall |
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| 10:30-11:20 am | Clinic for all participants | Blodgett Recital Hall | ||
| *1:00-2:30 pm | Student Finals Competition | Niblock Hall | ||
| 2:10-3:50 pm | Tuba Artist finalists rehearse with Festival Band | Blodgett Recital Hall | ||
| *7:00 pm | Artist Finals Competition & presentation of the medals | Blodgett Recital Hall | ||
| *Post-concert | Festival After-glow reception for all | Blodgett Recital Hall | ||
We would like to thank our Festival advertisers and supporters for their ongoing support of the Falcone Festival. They help make the Festival possible. If you or your company would like to advertise in the Festival program, please print a copy of the advertising form and return it with your check. Thank you!
2024 Festival Program Advertisers |
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Your Logo and Link Could be Here! Contact Us! |
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| Emil & Doris Ellis Family Foundation |
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Other Support |
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Committee Chairs | Additional Board Members | Honorary Board Members | Board Members Emeritus | Webmaster | On-site Festival Support
President: Philip Sinder, East Lansing, MI
President-elect: Dr. Chris Combest, Murfreesboro, TN
Vice President: Scott Myckowiak, Charlotte, MI
Secretary: Jane Goodrich, Lansing, MI
Treasurer: Scott Myckowiak, Charlotte, MI
Advertising/Development: Dr. Paul Carlson, Grand Rapids, MI
Competition Adjudication: Martin Erickson, Appleton, WI
Competition Music Coordinator: Dr. Mark Cox, Shepherd, MI
Euphonium Music: Dr. Gail Robertson, Conway, AR
Tuba Music: Dr. Chris Combest, Murfreesboro, TN
Dr. Deanna Swoboda, Mesa, AZ
Collaborative Pianist Coordinator: Jeff Kressler, DeWitt, MI
Logistics: Kenneth (Pete) Marvin, Grand Ledge, MI
Joy Rimpau, East Lansing, MI
Applications Team: Melanie Rosin, East Lansing, MI
Kimiko Yamada, Mobile, AL
Social Media Coordinator: Dr. Chris Combest, Murfreesboro, TN
Doug Goodrich, Lansing, MI
Dr. Jamie Lipton, Arkadelphia, AR
Dr. Matthew Mireles, San Antonio, TX
Seanne Pfeifer, Beaverton, MI
Dr. Will Sutton, Maryville, MO
Sue Topping, East Lansing, MI (on leave of absence)
Dr. Remus Webb, Albany, GA
Randy Westmoreland, Holt, MI
Dr. Jerry Young, Traverse City, MI
Abby Zarimba, Lansing, MI
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Dr. Brian Bowman, Arlington, VA |
Fritz Kaenzig, Ann Arbor, MI |
Tom Broka, Beaverton, MI
Beryl (Mrs. Leonard) Falcone (deceased)
Donald Flickinger, Big Rapids, MI, Festival President, 1992-2005
Dr. Earle Louder (deceased)
Henry Nelson, East Lansing, MI
Seymour Okun (deceased), Festival President, 1986-1992
Eldon Rosegart (deceased)
Fritz Stansell, Twin Lake, MI (deceased)
John Endahl, Williamston, MI
Toby Salzman, Lansing, MI
Cece Falcone : Doug Goodrich : Jane Goodrich : Tricia Hentschel : Scott Myckowiak : Joy Rimpau : Melanie Rosin : Toby Salzman : Abby Zarimba : Dan Zarimba
For the 2024 Falcone Festival, the collaborative pianists were:
Dr. Cox received her Bachelor of Music from Houghton College and her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Dr. Cox maintains an active schedule as soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States. She serves on the faculty of Central Michigan University, currently holds the position of principal keyboardist with the Midland (MI) Symphony Orchestra, and is a frequent collaborative pianist for festivals and competitions throughout the U.S.
Dr. Lo holds degrees from Michigan State University (DMA Piano Performance, DMA & MM Collaborative Piano), Boston University (MM Piano Performance), and Soochow University (BM Music Performance). Dr. Lo currently serves as Teaching Assistant Professor in Collaborative Piano at the University of North Dakota. Prior to that, she served as staff pianist at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and Saginaw Valley State University. Dr. Lo has been an invited guest artist to present duo recitals and has served as a festival pianist for many conferences and festivals throughout the U.S.
DR.LEE received her master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music and her doctorate from Michigan State University in piano performance. As a solo pianist, she has performed at many recitals and played with several orchestras, including the Fort Worth (TX) Symphony Orchestra. As a collaborative pianist, she has worked with many professional musicians and played at MWRTEC, among other competitions. Currently, she works at Flint institute of Music and Church of the Holy Family in Grand Blanc, Michigan.
Hutchins holds a BM in Piano (University of Michigan) and an MM in Piano (Eastman School of Music). He was part of the accompanying faculty at Grand Valley State University for 10 years, specializing in brass and woodwind repertoire, and part of the music theatre voice faculty at Western Michigan University for 7 years. From 1997 through 2021 he served as music director for over 60 theatrical and musical productions in the Grand Rapids area. He plays with the Grand Rapids Symphony and keeps a private studio of voice and piano students.
