Torchinsky recounts his experiences as a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy, including how Ormandy hired him from the NBC Symphony, his use of different size tubas, Ormandy's use of the tuba as a doubling instrument, Ormandy's treatment of orchestra members, histories of the Philadelphia Brass Ensemble, the Torchy Jones Quintet, and the respective recordings of both groups (and Ormandy's reactions), regulations that restricted orchestra members from performing outside the orchestra, and why he left the orchestra for a teaching position. Torchinsky also discusses the legacy of Ormandy as a conductor, and compares his conducting skills to those of Arturo Toscanini and Riccardo Muti. Opinions and comments are also offered concerning other people, including Gretel Ormandy, Arthur Jacobs, Henry Smith, Mason Jones, Gilbert Johnson, James de Priest, and Howard Scott.
