Composers/players that have made advancements in Tuba music

[Sally Larsen]

Don't forget James Grant!

[W]

I'm surprised no one mentioned Hindemith and Penderecki. I think those two composers are big-wigs and has written the only legit compositions out of a hand-full. I also think Tony Plog's Three Miniatures is a solid piece written well for solo tuba.

[UTTuba_09]

Jan Koetsier anyone?

[tubacrow]

Well, I think Bill Bell would be worth mention. One of the first Tuba solo Albums (if not the first), Played with the Sousa band, Teacher of many of the earlier mentioned performers and of many great tubists. I think you could devote a pharagraph to his career and his development of the use of a tuba player in the IU jazz bands.

[Rick Denney]

You are beginning to see why doing homework assignments on Tubenet isn't necessarily helpful. You end up with so many names and so many directions to go that it becomes overwhelming. I would suggest that you narrow your focus to something much more specific, and then spend time with those narrower words searching the archives. The problem is that nearly every really good tuba player has advanced the cause, and each generation of tuba players has favorites among those who have done so. And lots of composers have done at least something for tuba players. The tricky bit is drawing the line. What makes a major composer? Some would (scandalously) not even include Vaughan Williams in that list since he is probably not that well known among people who care nothing for non-pop music (or for music at all). But at least he's well-known in musical circles but outside tuba circles. I doubt many who aren't involved with the tuba know who Gregson is.

Speaking of whom, if you decided to search on Vaughan Williams, remember that Ralph is his first name, and Vaughan Williams is his last name. Don't forget the second A. Google does not forgive spelling mistakes.

Rick "suggesting a perusal of the Tuba Sourcebook in your local music library" Denney

[Alex C]

I think that publishing or commissioning solos, or other works for tuba, is a measurable way of evaluating a players' contribution to "advancements in Tuba music."

Players who have made a difference:

Bill Bell - he performed as a soloist more than anyone before him and increased the library of tuba solos available to the student tubist ten fold. Yes, ten fold. There was literally NOTHING for solo tuba that wasn't a transcription (written for trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone, OR tuba). His own works may not be notable but they were a starting point.

Fred Geib - published a number of pieces (see Steven Shoop's catalogue) for tuba during, roughly, the same time period.

You might include relative minor contributions by the tuba players of the touring bands, but their affect has not been widespread. None were especially recognized for contributing to the literature.

You might also include some of the "jazz" tuba players but again, they were really just playing the gig, not writing much.

You have to also credit Bell, Phillips, Rex Connor and Peter Popiel for producing the first tuba solo recordings.

I was a student of Arnold Jacobs but his contribution was as a teacher and performer. As far as I know, only one piece was written for him (Florian Mueller). He advanced players, not "tuba music."

Harvey Phillips is the man most responsible for the rise of solo literature for the tuba in the last century. No one else comes close.

While the performance of the Hollywood mafia (Johnson, Bobo, Waldrup, Self, et al) for TV-movie soundtracks cannot be minimized, it was not until the release of Bobo's solo recording that everyone (composers) REALLY knew what a tuba might be able to do. The mafia has continued to inspire and commission a lot of fine music since.

Walter Sear in New York.

Since the 1970's, the contributions have been made by so many that it is hard to separate out the major influences. How do you decide who is the most important without the sifting of some history?

Harvey is the king. Tubist owe a lot to him, solos, ensembles, JOBS and the word "tubist". The good folks at Merriam Webster confirmed it to me in the 1970's.

Now start your research.

[eupher61]

Well, to be technical, 'tubist' was Harvey's idea, but the first TUBA conference had a vote on the terminology.

[Alex C]

Yes, it was Harvey's idea and it wouldn't have mattered how the convention voted.

As the editor Merriam Webster explained to me at the time, usage is what determines inclusion in the dictionary. There had been several citations in mainstream periodicals (they cited the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Detroit Free Press) using the word "tubist" and that was the reason they chose to include it in the dictionary. Usage precluded voting or (in my case for the word "tubaist") clarity. That's the technical fact.

So, back to the conclusion: Harvey is the king. Tubists owe a lot to him, solos, ensembles, JOBS and the word "tubist".

[Brassworks 4]

Another influential man is Barton Cummings.

His bio begins with: Barton Cummings enjoyed a distinguished international career as a tuba player. An early pioneer in establishing the tuba as a true solo instrument, he began a campaign in the 1960's to commission new compositions for the tuba.

Might be worth a google for more.