Thanks to additional funding made possible by the Ä¢¹½tv Student Cooperative Association, the Ä¢¹½tv Chapter of the International Tuba Euphonium Association was able to purchase $800 worth of new music written by underrepresented composers. In all, the organization bought 26 new pieces for the tuba-euphonium ensemble as well as solo pieces for tuba and euphonium.
Classical music composition has historically been dominated by white men. But, there is a growing understanding that there are interesting musical voices to be heard outside of that traditional group. Zach Collins, professor of tuba at Ä¢¹½tv, said, “This is an area where I have my own knowledge gap. I have performed the works of several female composers and composers of color, but I know there are many more out there that I am just unaware of. I want to know more, and I want my students to know more. I want students at Ä¢¹½tv to have the experience of playing music from composers who are like them. I also want students to play music by composers who are not like them.”
The list of pieces to purchase was compiled by chapter member Anthony Walker, a graduate student in the Ä¢¹½tv Department of Music. He researched compositions by previously overlooked as well as up-and-coming underrepresented composers. The chapter bought music by Chanell Crichlow, Kevin Day, Jose Flores, Jennifer Glass, Alice Gomez, Adolphus Hailstork, Cait Nishimura, Jasmine Pigott, Elizabeth Raum, and Barbara York.
The Ä¢¹½tv Chapter of ITEA is open to all students who are interested in tuba and euphonium music. Many members also perform in the Ä¢¹½tv Tubaphonium Ensemble, which meets for rehearsal on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
The Ä¢¹½tv Chapter of ITEA thanks the Student Cooperative Association for sharing these funds, which have been used to enrich the experience of Ä¢¹½tv musicians.