University Tuba Euphonium Ensemble Music Essentials

[Paul Evans]

I just received a note from the secretary of the music department where I teach. The upshot of the note is that there are considerable funds for new music. We just started a tuba-euph ensemble last semester and have very little music. With that in mind, I am looking for suggestions for our music library. What are the absolute must haves? The only large ensemble piece that I recall from my college days was John Cheetham's Consortium.

I could also use suggestions for essential tuba-euph quartet pieces, since we happen to be low on euphonium players at the moment.

Thanks, in advance, for your help!

Paul Evans
Lecturer of Tuba, Pacific Lutheran University

[skeath]

I'll throw in a few.
William Presser wrote some nice pieces for 3, 4, and 6 tubas (all tubas).
Frank Lynn Payne: Quartet for Tubas (2+2).
Sharon Richardson: Three Statements (2+2) (interesting early work)
Marcel Frank: Lyric Poem (2+3)
Arthur Frackenpohl: Pop Suite (2+2) (the lighter side, but fun)

and of course, there's the Stars & Stripes Forever (5 tubas)


SK

[BVD Press]

Dear Paul,

You might want to flip through some old copies of the ITEA or TUBA Journals for some ideas. There are oodles of pieces out there, but this might give an idea of the pieces that have worked for larger ensembles as well as quartets.

Possibly locate conference programs as well. There is usually tons of good literature being premiered at these type of events.

Tuba-Euphonium Press:

http://store.iteaonline.org/merchant2/

will have a pile to look at as well several other publishers with smaller Tuba libraries.

I am not sure if any would be essential (yet), but we commissioned 5 new tuba quartets for ITEC and info can be found here:

http://www.cimarronmusic.com/ITEC2008Tu ... /index.cfm

There are also an additional 386 quartet up there plus lots of larger ensembles.

We have also worked with Sotto Voce on a commission with Anthony Plog:

http://www.tubaquartet.com

The site wasn't working when I was there just there, but I am hoping it is back now...

If you have time to listen, check here:

http://www.baadsvik.com/index.php?optio ... e&Itemid=1

Click on the "Get Inspired" link on the right side and you have an instant "Tuba Recording Machine" as it cycles through hundreds of samples.

Another place to look would Hickey's Music in NY:

http://www.hickeys.com/

I am not exactly sure what music or exhibitors will be there, but if you are near Bellevue, WA this weekend you might find music here:

http://www.brassbandnw.org/festival.htm

Tony Clements can probably chime in on this as well as he does tons of pieces with his groups each year...

Let's just say there is a lot out there now...

I am guessing I babbled enough...

[Rick F]

Here's a list of a few that I think are very good:

La Traviata Prelude - Verdi (arr. James Garrett)
Appalachian Carol - James Cantor
Homáge - John Cheetham
Contrapunctus IX - Bach - (arr. Mike Forbes)... from the art of the fugue
Consortium - John Cheetham (you're already getting this one)
Tubasonatina - Thom Ritter George Courtship - Bob James (arr. Michael O'Connor) ... basketball theme from '84 Olympics
Moondance - Van Morrison (arr. Jeff Kile)

And... you have to get John Stevens' "Benediction"

[Z-Tuba Dude]

Moondance - Van Morrison (arr. Jeff Kile)

Anybody have an idea where to find this arrangement?

[BVD Press]

Moondance - Van Morrison (arr. Jeff Kile)

Anybody have an idea where to find this arrangement?

Check with Winston:

http://www.tntech.edu/tuba/morris/

They recorded it a few years back so my guess is it in an in-house item.