2008 Woodie Awards
Tuba and euphonium ensemble set for challenging performance
Robert Garner
Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: Life & Style
The UA Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble will take the stage tonight at 7:30 in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall.
The ensemble's euphonium section is composed of Debbie Aulerich, Levi Carpenter, Lawrence Francis, Kevin Graber, Brad Helton, Lee Larry, and Candice Nugent. The tuba section includes Blaine Cunningham, Tyler Eck, Juan Garcia, David Hendley, Andrew Hooks, Matthew McCool, Andrew Moffett, Michael Post, Brian Sours, Jason Tacker, and Scott Verdery, according to the press release.
Percussionists Oliver Molina, C.J. Morris and Clay Parkhurst will also be performing with the ensemble, according to the press release.
"It's amazing to get to play with such a phenomenal group," said Aulerich, a sophomore music education major.
The program for tonight's recital includes "Five Dances" by Tylman Susato; "Epitaph VI: Phoenix Rising" by Martin Ellerby; "Mixtures and Mutations" by Robert Jager; "Adagio and Rondo" by Aldo Forte; "Refractions" by Patrick Schulz; and Camille Saint-Saens's "Danse Bacchanale" from "Samson and Delilah," according to the press release.
Most of the songs on the program are original pieces written specifically for euphonium and tuba ensembles, said Lee Larry, a junior music education major.
Performing in an ensemble specifically for the tuba and euphonium provides many benefits for students, Larry said.
"Tubas and euphoniums don't usually get to play the lead parts in a large ensemble setting, but in this ensemble we all get our chance to shine," he said.
"We are pushed to the limit technically, musically speaking," he said. "The parts we play in the Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble are much more difficult than the parts that we would play in larger ensembles like band and orchestra."
Aulerich also emphasized the value of being able to perform at such a high level.
"The music in the ensemble is often much more difficult than most college wind or orchestral repertoire," she said.
The ensemble rehearses Wednesday afternoons under the direction of Ben Pierce, UA professor of tuba and euphonium, Larry said.
"Doctor Pierce expects us to perform at our highest playing ability," Larry said. "He expects all of us to pull our own weight, and he challenges us with music that requires a high level of musician ship.
"[Performing in the ensemble] is both a learning experience and lots of fun for all of us involved," he said.
Admission to tonight's recital is free and the music department cordially invites all to attend.
More information about the recital or about the ensemble can be obtained by calling the music department at (479) 575-4701.
The ensemble's euphonium section is composed of Debbie Aulerich, Levi Carpenter, Lawrence Francis, Kevin Graber, Brad Helton, Lee Larry, and Candice Nugent. The tuba section includes Blaine Cunningham, Tyler Eck, Juan Garcia, David Hendley, Andrew Hooks, Matthew McCool, Andrew Moffett, Michael Post, Brian Sours, Jason Tacker, and Scott Verdery, according to the press release.
Percussionists Oliver Molina, C.J. Morris and Clay Parkhurst will also be performing with the ensemble, according to the press release.
"It's amazing to get to play with such a phenomenal group," said Aulerich, a sophomore music education major.
The program for tonight's recital includes "Five Dances" by Tylman Susato; "Epitaph VI: Phoenix Rising" by Martin Ellerby; "Mixtures and Mutations" by Robert Jager; "Adagio and Rondo" by Aldo Forte; "Refractions" by Patrick Schulz; and Camille Saint-Saens's "Danse Bacchanale" from "Samson and Delilah," according to the press release.
Most of the songs on the program are original pieces written specifically for euphonium and tuba ensembles, said Lee Larry, a junior music education major.
Performing in an ensemble specifically for the tuba and euphonium provides many benefits for students, Larry said.
"Tubas and euphoniums don't usually get to play the lead parts in a large ensemble setting, but in this ensemble we all get our chance to shine," he said.
"We are pushed to the limit technically, musically speaking," he said. "The parts we play in the Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble are much more difficult than the parts that we would play in larger ensembles like band and orchestra."
Aulerich also emphasized the value of being able to perform at such a high level.
"The music in the ensemble is often much more difficult than most college wind or orchestral repertoire," she said.
The ensemble rehearses Wednesday afternoons under the direction of Ben Pierce, UA professor of tuba and euphonium, Larry said.
"Doctor Pierce expects us to perform at our highest playing ability," Larry said. "He expects all of us to pull our own weight, and he challenges us with music that requires a high level of musician ship.
"[Performing in the ensemble] is both a learning experience and lots of fun for all of us involved," he said.
Admission to tonight's recital is free and the music department cordially invites all to attend.
More information about the recital or about the ensemble can be obtained by calling the music department at (479) 575-4701.
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