PRESS RELEASE
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION
Contact: Christina Madsen, (501) 852-2659; christinam@uca.edu
Dr. Gail Robertson, (501) 450-5763; grobertson@uca.edu
March 12, 2015
UCA TO HOST SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL TUBA EUPHONIUM CONFERENCE
FEATURING ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE, RHYTHM & BRASS
College of Fine Arts and Communication Media Office
CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas will host the South Central Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference on March 19-21, 2015. Along with numerous featured artists, ensembles, competitions, and lectures, this event will also feature the world-class performing ensemble, Rhythm & Brass.
The 2015 South Central Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference is being co-hosted by UCA’s Visiting Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium/Jazz, Dr. Gail Robertson, Dr. Kevin Sanders, University of Memphis, and Christian Carichner, Iowa State University. This event would not be possible without the help of the UCA Tuba Euphonium Krewe (students from Robertson’s studio), Dr. Paige Rose, numerous UCA Music students, and students from the University of Memphis.
This large tuba and euphonium event will serve as host to numerous events. There will be featured soloists with Dr. Ricky Brooks and the UCA Wind Ensemble, various soloists with the Natural State Brass Band, solo recitals, chamber music recitals, masterclasses, and lectures/presentations by more than 300 tuba and euphonium players from Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Kansas, Alabama and Tennessee.
One of the featured ensembles of the event will be UCA Artists in Residence, Rhythm & Brass. R & B had its 1994 New York concert debut at Carnegie Recital Hall with celebrated jazz trumpeter Randy Brecker. The group is actively involved in music education and frequently participates in residencies. R & B have produced four albums since 1994 with named influences such as: Josquin Des Prez, Pink Floyd, John Coltrane, Johann Sebastian Bach, and the ensembles highest influence, Duke Ellington.
Located around the U.S., R & B members are: Charles Villarrubia (tuba), University of Texas; David Gluck (percussion), State University of New York-Purchase; Alex Shuhan (horn), Ithaca College; Rex Richardson (trumpet), Virginia Commonwealth University; Tom Brantley (trombone), University of South Florida, and Wiff Rudd (trumpet), Baylor University.
Rhythm & Brass will perform a free public concert at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 19 at Ida Waldran Auditorium in Main Hall. They will also hold masterclasses (classroom style mini-lessons) and work with students on March 19-20.
One of the highlights of the R & B residency will be the public lecture, “Rhythms of the Game,” a discussion of baseball star Bernie Williams’ book about the connection between music and sports, co-authored by R & B’s percussionist David Gluck, in the Snow Fine Arts Center Recital Hall at 1:40 p.m. on Thursday, March 19.
All events of the Rhythm & Brass residency are free and open to the public.
While most SCRTEC events will require a minimal registration fee, for a $5 donation, you can attend the Friday and Saturday evening performances. A large number of the participants will be from 16 different collegiate tuba and euphonium ensembles. The UCA Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble (featuring Dr. Brian Bowman – University of North Texas) will perform on Saturday at 3pm. There will also be competitions in eight categories: Solo Artist Euphonium, Solo Artist Tuba, Mock Orchestra Tuba, Mock Band Euphonium, Chamber Ensemble, Young Artist Euphonium, Young Artist Tuba, and Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble.
Middle and High School tuba and euphonium players are encouraged to attend the Arkansas Tuba and Euphonium Institute, a series of classes and highlighted performances during the conference. For $10 per student, with a maximum of $100 per school, students can enjoy all conference events including these specific events. The institute will feature the All-Star Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, solo performances by some of the best tuba and euphonium artists in the country, and a pizza dinner for all participants. There will be many clinics on how to improve teaching and practice habits for tuba and euphonium players that you’ll be able to take back to your band program.
For more information, contact Robertson at (501) 450-5763 or grobertson@uca.edu. For more information on the conference, lodging information, and a detailed schedule, please visit: www.scrtec2015.com.
The UCA Artist in Residence program is funded by UCA’s Arts Fee and is administered by the College of Fine Arts and Communication. For more information about the program, call the Office of the Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication, at (501) 450-3293 or e-mail jdmiller@uca.edu.
The UCA College of Fine Arts and Communication includes the Departments of Art, Communication, Mass Communication and Theatre, Music and Writing. The college’s primary mission is the preparation of the next generation of artists, educators and communicators. For more information about CFAC, visit www.uca.edu/cfac or call (501) 450-3293.
