October in Athens generally means cooler weather, changing leaves and, at least for the past few days, rain. But for the Ohio University School of Music, it also means that it's time for Octubafest.
Octubafest is a concert put on every October by the tuba and euphonium ensembles in the School of Music at OU, Jason Smith, associate professor of tuba and euphonium, said.
A lot of universities in this country hold an Octubafest during the fall as an opportunity to showcase their students on the tuba and euphonium
he said.
Octubafest was created in the 1960s by Harvey Phillips when he was a professor at Indiana University, with the idea of bringing attention to the tuba. Phillips is considered legendary in the tuba world, Smith said.
Harvey Phillips is probably the most famous tuba player or one of the most famous tuba players. ... He's kind of the first tuba player to come along and put our instrument on the map Smith said. Phillips is also the only wind instrument player to ever be inducted into the Classical Music Hall of Fame.
This year's Octubafest includes two concerts. The first concert, Octubafest Concert I, was Tuesday and featured Smith in a faculty recital. The second will be Sunday evening and will feature the tuba and euphonium student ensembles, in addition to a trombone ensemble.
The concert features nine tubas and four euphoniums, all playing music written specifically for their instruments.
Most of the music we're doing is original music for the tuba
because that's kind of the premise of the festival
Smith said.
Ryan Weinkauf, a senior tuba player studying music education, has been a part of Octubafest for his entire career at OU.
All music education students are required to take lessons for all four years of school, and all of Smith's students are required to participate in Octubafest, he said.
That doesn't mean that he doesn't like it.
I really enjoy playing in tuba ensemble. It's a totally different experience from everything I ever did
Weinkauf said.
Weinkauf's favorite part of Octubafest is simply playing the music.
I just love the sound we create
he said.
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