TubeNet Commissioning Project?

[Rick Denney]

I am ready to chip in my $20.
It seems to me that a lot of fine composers have been suggested, but possibly none of them will win unanimous approval from this group. There's hurdle number one.

Not for me, it isn't. If the decision is to go with one of the usual tuba composers, I'll still contribute. The repertoire needs more good music at all levels, and in the absence of great I will still feel good about good. And I'll help persuade others to participate, as I did with the James Grant commission. But I'll still feel a pang of disappointment at an opportunity missed.

Standing back a bit, I find myself in complete agreement with Chuck. That was what motivated my earlier comment that we were coming from a long way behind. Perhaps there is nothing we could do to overcome that deficit--in the end, it may be that our instruments just play too low for non-tuba players to perceive them as melody instruments.

Rick "not complaining" Denney

[WoodSheddin]

I suggest if you are willing to make a contribution you also contact Sean via private message.

Let's stick to brainstorming for the time being. We are not close to fundraising yet. If/when this materialises we can discuss grants, contributions, and premiers.

[Uncle Buck]

1. In my opinion, the most serious deficiency in the repertiore for tuba (with band or orchestra accompaniment) is the lack of a significant work designed specifically for contrabass tuba. I'm not talking about avoiding ANY use of the bass tuba range, but it would be nice to have a serious work that sits primarily in the contrabass range/timbre. (I realize that the Vaughan Williams can be played well on a CC or BBb, but it was clearly intended for an EEb or an F.) The details of this are clearly something that should be left up to the commissioned composer, but I'd be interested to see what a great composer could create with a directive to create a contrabass tuba work.

2. I want to throw one composer's name into the mix: Mack Wilberg. That's probably not a name known to most on this list. He is currently the associate conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, but is a fairly prolific composer of choral (much more well known in this genre) and orchestral works. He clearly falls into the realm of a "serious" composer, but probably doesn't carry the price tag of a Glass or Adams. Plus, he has shown a REMARKABLE ability to compose works with significant musical depth, but that are extremely "crowd friendly." He is someone who absolutely could be counted on to create something that will be both (A) satisfying to well-trained musicians; and (B) enjoyable for un-trained audiences to listen to.
Con - a work by him is less likely to be programmed by a major symphony.

[Steve Marcus]

In my opinion, the most serious deficiency in the repertiore for tuba (with band or orchestra accompaniment) is the lack of a significant work designed specifically for contrabass tuba. I'm not talking about avoiding ANY use of the bass tuba range, but it would be nice to have a serious work that sits primarily in the contrabass range/timbre. (I realize that the Vaughan Williams can be played well on a CC or BBb, but it was clearly intended for an EEb or an F.) The details of this are clearly something that should be left up to the commissioned composer, but I'd be interested to see what a great composer could create with a directive to create a contrabass tuba work.

That is one of the criteria that Gene Pokorny presented to John Stevens, which resulted in Journey. Unfortunately, it will be some time, if ever, before this piece joins the "mainstream." So Uncle Buck may have a good point.

About a year ago, Dave Zerkel published an interesting survey in the ITEA Journal about the practicality/level of difficulty of playing pieces in the current standard tuba repertoire on contrabass tuba. While almost all of them are playable on CC or BBb, Dave commented for a great number of them that they work better on bass tuba.

[Mudman]

1. In my opinion, the most serious deficiency in the repertiore for tuba (with band or orchestra accompaniment) is the lack of a significant work designed specifically for contrabass tuba. I'm not talking about avoiding ANY use of the bass tuba range, but it would be nice to have a serious work that sits primarily in the contrabass range/timbre. (I realize that the Vaughan Williams can be played well on a CC or BBb, but it was clearly intended for an EEb or an F.) The details of this are clearly something that should be left up to the commissioned composer, but I'd be interested to see what a great composer could create with a directive to create a contrabass tuba work.

A work playable on contra would be great: most of us play contrabass tubas. (But this might not be the most programmable instrument in the tuba family.) I would enjoy having a great addition to the repertoire that many college students would benefit by studying (on contra). Think about how often the Haddad suite is studied in tuba studios everywhere--imagine if a truly great work of art could be used as frequently.

The downside is that the lower and darker you go, the less clarity you get. It is hard for the listener to hear melodically in the lowest register. It takes many times more effort to shape phrases on a low instrument than it does on trumpet. At least a tuba projects better than a string bass (explaining the lack of great double-bass concerti).

Truth is, I would be thrilled to be a part of any new commissioning project for any member of the tuba family. Well, excepting euphonium or fluba

[ThomasDodd]

Well, excepting euphonium or fluba

What's wrong with the fluba, other than the difficulty aquiring one?

[Dan Castillo]

As far as meeting the criteria you outlined, Zwilich or Joan Tower would be the best fit. These two are both established, respected, and their music lies in a "middle ground" between modernism and Hollywood. What seals the deal for me is that they both have a great deal of experience writing SUCCESSFUL concertos for other instruments. Tower's Piano Concerto amazes me everytime I listen to it. Her concertos for violin, flute, and clarinet are also very exciting. Zwilich was chosen a few years ago by the Chicago Symphony to write two excellent trombone concertos.

The cost would be outrageous...but if we could get one of these two, future musicians would be VERY grateful.

That's my two cents. Please let me know how I can be of service.

[Chuck(G)]

I'm confused.

Is this composition supposed to appeal to other tuba players "Anything wtih a solo tuba part is peachy", to the university set "Isn't Karel Husa just wonderful" or to audiences in general "I know the words to Grandma got run over by a reindeer!"?

If it's the first two, you can hire on just about anyone with any kind of name and it'll get a standing ovation and get dragged out every once in awhile for someone's senior recital.

If it's the last, it's going to have to be on a par with "When Yuba Plays the Rhumba on the Tuba". Which is probably harder to write than most folks think.

I've got a couple of young middle-school trombone students who (a) have never seen a live orchestra and (b) didn't know that trombones were part of one. These are kids who are interested in music. Heaven knows what the masses wouild go for. Maybe something like the Vandals thing would have more mass appeal. Maybe a tuba player competing on "American Idol" (or "Fear Factor", pretty much the same thing)...

[Shockwave]

Nobody wants to hear concertos, especially not featuring a tuba. Give it up! Nobody cares about the tuba except as a novelty, and the novelty wears off after a few bars. If you want to increase the visibilty of tuba solos, petition Hollywood composers to include more prominent tuba solos in their scores. If your ego fills you with the desire to show off, learn to play trumpet like the rest of the show-offs, or learn to play jazz and be a briefly entertaining novelty like a dancing elephant.

-Eric

[Dan Castillo]

If it's the last, it's going to have to be on a par with "When Yuba Plays the Rhumba on the Tuba". Which is probably harder to write than most folks think.

Chuck,

The goal is a good piece. If it's quality, it'll be fine with all three groups.

[Dan Castillo]

Ummm....bump?

I hope this idea didn't die.

[Philip Jensen]

If it really is $$$$ that is going to be the problem, how about getting one of the tuba manufacturers to pony-up and sponsor the piece?

Maybe you could get say, Miraphone, to make a substantial contribution with the agreement that it would be primiered by a Miraphone artist with a big name orchestra. Maybe Alan Baer, or Oystein Baadsvik.

It certainly would be some great PR for them and is probably cheaper than printing out thousands of brochures.

Philip "checkbook at the ready" Jensen

[Dylan King]

I would be happy to do it for cheap. $5,000.00 plus all publishing rights.

[Steve Marcus]

The following appeared at http://www.4barsrest.com today:

Neish market for new tuba concerto

Les Neish will be getting together with Pete Meechan to write a new tuba concerto for later this year.

Les Neish, one of the foremost tuba exponents at work in the UK at present has teamed up with Pete Meechan 'Young Composer in
Association' at Black Dyke to write a new tuba concerto for tuba and
brass band.

It will be premiered at the Beaumaris Festival on the 31st May with the Beaumaris Band, whilst the next day the band fly out to
Norway and the piece will be performed out there as well.

4BR will hopefully be there to hear the piece first hand.

[TonyZ]

Remember, too that with all of these "prescriptions" for what kind of piece you would like, you are likely to push most composers away than bring them on board. Tell them that you want a concerto, what you can pay, where will the premiere be held, who will be performing, and when you want it. If you start putting too many caveats on the composition, you won't get many composers.

[NickJones]

The following appeared at http://www.4barsrest.com today:

Neish market for new tuba concerto

Les Neish will be getting together with Pete Meechan to write a new tuba concerto for later this year.

Les Neish, one of the foremost tuba exponents at work in the UK at present has teamed up with Pete Meechan 'Young Composer in
Association' at Black Dyke to write a new tuba concerto for tuba and
brass band.

It will be premiered at the Beaumaris Festival on the 31st May with the Beaumaris Band, whilst the next day the band fly out to
Norway and the piece will be performed out there as well.

4BR will hopefully be there to hear the piece first hand.

The concerto was a fantastic piece to play , really accessable , subtle accomp and the audiences at the Beaumaris Festival and in Norway loved it.

[oldbandnerd]

Who's Ken Friedrich?

[adam0408]

I was just thinking something. My director is pretty interested in this comissioning stuff, and he knows a LOT of people in the business, and a lot of composers. Some of you, if you have been involved in Interlochen, may have heard of him: John Ross?

Anyway, I could possibly mention something to him and see what he has to offer. Only if you guys are serious though! Heh.

[cornholio]

John Ross...Interlochen...uhh...yup...

John Ross and his - involvement - at Interlochen. That was quite an interesting story.

[THE TUBA]

Has anyone mentioned Eric Whitacre yet? He has, or will have, the weight behind the name. I'll be he has a friend that could put it to orchestra. He's got some beautiful and fun stuff out and I bet he could write an interesting tuba solo (Godzilla Eats Las Vegas come to mind, I was the barking dog). I think he could use the tuba stereotype to come up with something creative. I bet he could highlight the tuba's supporting role too (I personally a good Um-pah-pah in any tuba solo).

Just an idea...

As for money, my high school pockets have hoover flags, but I'll send some of my first paycheck...if I can find a job.

I bet Whitacre can write a mean concerto...

Tubists always complain (I included) about a lack of quality lyrical solos, so why not hire a choral composer? High school and college band and choral directors (from what I can tell) love Whitacre's stuff and can't get enough of it.