Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp is the home of the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival! This is the 41st year for the event, which features recitals, clinics, and competitions; concluding with a performance Sunday evening of the Blue Lake Festival Band directed by Dr. Trae Blanco and featuring soloist Hiram Diaz.
Master Sergeant Hiram Diaz of Miami joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in January 2012 and was appointed assistant principal in December 2023. Master Sgt. Diaz performs with the Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra at the White House, in the Washington, D.C., area, and across the country during the band’s annual concert tour. Since 2017, Master Sgt. Diaz has also served as co‐leader of the band’s Latin Jazz Ensemble. Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Master Sgt. Diaz was a member of the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence Band (283d Army Band) in Ft. Benning, Georgia.
Dr. Trae Blanco serves as Associate Professor of Music, Director of Bands at Butler University where he conducts the Wind Ensemble, teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting, and administers the band area. Dr. Blanco holds a DMA in wind conducting from the Herberger Institute at Arizona State University and a MM in Wind Conducting from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. This is Dr. Blancoʼs eighth year conducting at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and fifth year with the Falcone International Festival.
Hear a conversation with Dr. Blanco about it all above. Tune in to the concert Sunday night at 8 p.m. here on Blue Lake Public Radio.
