The University of Iowa tuba-euphonium studio currently consists of thirteen students who study with Professor John Manning and perform in the University of Iowa tuba-euphonium ensemble Collegium Tubum. Each student has weekly private applied lesson, and participates in a seminar class.
In addition to Collegium Tubum, members of the studio also perform in the University of Iowa’s Symphony Band, Concert Band, U Band, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonia, Hawkeye Marching Band, as well as student brass quintets and quartets. Collegium Tubum maintains an active concert schedule, with several performances each year. Past appearances have included the Coe College Brass Day, the Hawkeye Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference, at University of Northern Iowa, the Iowa Childrens’ Museum, the Iowa City Public Library, and the 2008 International Tuba Euphonium Conference in Cincinnati. Collegium Tubum presents an annual outdoor concert called “Holiday Tubas” on the steps of the Old Capitol in Iowa City. The ensemble has also been invited to perform at the Old Capitol on the occasion of the building’s re-dedication in 2006 and for the Virginia Tech memorial service in 2007. You can read various press releases about Collegium Tubum here.
Each year, two guest artists are invited to teach and perform for members of the studio. Past guests have included Oystein Baadsvik, Steven Mead, Stacy Baker, Deanna Swoboda, David Werden, Neal Corwell, Kenyon Wilson, Jim Lyon, and David Kassler.
To learn more about the University of Iowa Tuba Euphonium, visit their website. If you are interested in auditioning for the studio, apply for the University of Iowa here and the School of Music here.
Points of Pride
I am always very proud of all of my students. Progress, in all its forms is equally rewarding, whether large or small, but here I would like to list some of my students’ most notable accomplishments.
• Pat Bigsby will be performing in a band at Adventureland in Des Moines this summer.
• Kristina Gavin will be studying abroad in Mexico this summer
• Blaine Cunningham won first place at the Tubonium7 competition
• Chris Dickey will be attending Northwestern University next year to pursue his D.M.A. degree.
• Blaine Cunningham recently won the University of Iowa Concerto Aria Competition, as well as placed first in the Great Plains Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference 2009 in the over 21 solo tuba competition.
• Karina Ferrera won first place at the Great Plains Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference 2009 in the under 21 solo euphonium competition.
• The Iowa “Corntet” won third place at the Great Plains Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference 2009 in the tuba quartet competition.
• Chris Dickey earned an Honorable Mention at the Great Plains Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference 2009 in the over 21 solo tuba competition in the over 21 competition.
• Jeremy Crawford, class of 2008, was admitted to Northwestern University to pursue his graduate degree.
• Josh Calkin, DMA student is the Professor to Low Brass at Wayne State University in Nebraska.
