Gustavus’ OcTUBAfest
For years, the Gustavus Department of Music has known how to get low, really low. On Friday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m., the department will once again prove that it can get down as it celebrates its low brass program with an annual recital that’s come to be known as OcTUBAfest. The performance, open to the public at no charge in Björling Recital Hall, will feature Professor Paul Budde’s euphonium and tuba students.
The idea for the OcTUBAfest program originated at Indiana University in 1974 and has become an annual event at colleges and universities around the U.S. In the words of low brass instructor Paul Budde, “I love the OcTUBAfest tradition, because it gives people a chance to hear what tubas and euphoniums sound like, something that the general public rarely experiences beyond the bass parts that are played within large ensembles. Unfortunately, when people think of tubas, they tend to think of polka lines and oom-pahs; when I mention euphonium, I usually get quizzical looks (and it does little good to explain that a euphonium is the correct name for what most people refer to as the baritone). It’s really eye opening for most people to hear what the euphonium and tuba are capable of – namely the ability to play music of any style, whether bass lines or melodies, fast or slow, high or low, and modern or antiquated.”
The program for Friday’s recital includes work by 10 performers:
- Sam Endres, euphonium; Morceau Symphonic by Alexandre Guilmant
- Noah Davis, euphonium; Five Pieces in Folk Style, Op. 102 by Robert Schumann
- Jordan Wiest, tuba; Andante and Rondo, from Concerto for Double Bass by Antonio Capuzzi
- Laura Johnson, euphonium; Suite No. 3, from Water Music Suite by George Frideric Handel
- Anthony Ouradnik, tuba; Sonata in E-Flat by Johann Sebastian Bach
- Bennett Thrash, euphonium; Introduction and Dance by J. Edouard Barat
- Joseph Wiley, tuba; Sonata for Tuba and Piano, Larghetto by Robert Sibbing
- Megan Quirk, euphonium; Adagio and Allegro from Sonata in E-flat by George Frideric Handel
- Matthew Bauer, tuba; Concertino for Tuba and String Orchestra, Moderato by Arthur Frackenpohl
- Iain McCrory, euphonium; Concerto for Euphonium and Wind Ensemble, Allegro moderato by Eric Ewazen
Friday’s OcTUBAfest, a recital of works for euphonium and tuba under the direction of Paul Budde, will be presented on the Gustavus Adolphus College campus in Jussi Björling Recital Hall. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.