Tuba-Euphonium Conference elevates bottom notes

By Chelsea Place, Pentagram Staff WriterFebruary 7, 2011

Tuba-Euphonium Conference elevates bottom notes
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The U.S. Army Band ''Pershing's Own" hosted its 28th Annual Tuba-Euphonium Conference which ran from Jan. 26 through 29 in Brucker Hall at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

''We are the largest tuba-euphonium conference in the world. Our conference is the conference that sets the standard," said Master Sgt. Don Palmire, chairman, Tuba-Euphonium conference.

The conference had a plethora of tuba and euphonium players outside of those in TUSAB. Featured artists came from Germany, Japan, Australia, Iceland and a variety of universities, and one tuba player who offers his talents to the movie business.

Although more colleges attended the conference to watch, Baylor University from Texas, Kansas State University, the University of Nebraska and the Alderson-Broaddus College from West Virginia, each played in their own 45 minute to an hour long recital.

One group was the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Central Band. Four members - two tuba and two euphonium players- entertained attendees at a recital on the afternoon of Jan. 28.

One piece they premiered was titled ''Karugaru Kangaroo (Hopping Kangaroo)." The music included almost comical sounds which brought laughter from the audience. The players used such techniques as hitting their hand against the mouth piece to make a popping noise, and at one point took the mouthpiece off to blow through the small end as if to mimic what sounded like a duck.

In four days there were four major concerts, 12 recitals, two master classes and two days worth of exhibits, where players could get the latest music and instrument accessories at the JBM-HH Community Center.

''Music is an emotional art," said Palmire.

If the music is supposed to be sad, you want your audience to be sad. If it's happy then the audience should feel better than they did when they entered.

When asked what story his piece told, Palmire said, ''probably the joy and excitement in being able to play euphonium because euphonium means beautiful sounding, kind of like the word euphemism," in regards to his ''Rondo Concertante" written for him by Willie Mac Davis.

This conference is known to produce new music. People who perform choose to do premier pieces of music at this conference, said Sgt. 1st Class David Brown, assistant chairman and orchestra coordinator.

This year's conference was held in memory of Harvey Phillips, a famous tuba player who had the honor of being the first major guest artist of the conference in 1984.

For those who could not attend, or already know they can't make it and want to listen to next year's conference online it takes place Jan. 25 to 28, 2012.