tuba concerto

[tuba1335]

Hi all!

Im looking for a challenging piece of music written for tuba and wind band for the concerto competition with the Charlotte Youth Wind Ensemble. Id like for it to be not only fun to listen to as an audience member, but also fun to play as a soloist and band member. When it comes down to the playing level of this group, my band director once described it as an all-state band on steroids. Thank you for any input.

Joshua Carter

[tubafatness]

I would suggest the Broughton Tuba Concerto. The wind band parts can be bought from the publisher, and the piece is a blast to play. If this really is an "all-state band on steroids," they should be able to handle it.

Aaron

[Chuck Jackson]

Forgive me if I'm stepping on the toes of the OP, but maybe the Broughton is a lot to chew for a high school student?

And considering the handful of occassions I have heard a pro do it in the last 10 years, it was a mouthful for them, too. I wonder when anyone started thinking this piece was easy.

Chuck"same goes for a complete performance of the Gregson, too"Jackson

[djwesp]

Haddad's "Suite for Tuba"

1. Rewarding band accomp.

2. Doable by an advanced high school student.

3. Easy to grasp (audience wise)

4. Long enough to feature, but short enough not to be long in the tooth.

5. Avoids cliches associated with the instrument.


All in all i think it would be a wise choice.

[fenne1ca]

I'll second the motion for the Bencriscutto. Lots of fun, easy to listen to, and interesting accompaniment.

[TubaNerd88]

I'd say go for the Bencrisscuto Concertino for Tuba and Wind Band. Very nice piece and lots of fun to play!

- Matthew "who has experience with playing this piece way too many times" Gray

[THE TUBA]

I was in CYWE a "couple" moons ago, and it is really a quite good ensemble. Josh Cutchin (tubist) won the concerto competition back in '03; it couldn't hurt to find out what he played.

If tubashaman(3) checks this thread, he will definitely say to play the Barnes concerto. Usually I vehemently disagree with all of tubashaman's hypothetical posts, but I think this one could work on a big tuba (assuming you are using a BBb/CC). Most of the melodic material lies in a good register and you can always edit/cut the cadenzas. Also, I think CYWE would really sound great on the band accompaniment and Dr. Marks would dig the piece. That said, it isn't exactly a safe choice.

On the CDs I have from the two years I was involved, the concerto lengths are 8 and 9 minutes long-- depending on the length of the piece, you might only have to play a movement or two.