I am thrilled to announce Paige’s Music’s second annual Tuba & Euphonium Day on Saturday, April 1.

This year, we’re partnering with the Eastman Music Company and Warburton Music Products to bring you a full day celebrating all things low brass, and welcome the world-class Dr. Gail Robertson (Professor of tuba and euphonium, University of Central Arkansas) and Dr. Stacy Baker (Professor of tuba and euphonium, Morehead State University) as the featured artists!

Together, Gail and Stacy make up SymbiosisDuo, formed in 2007 to increase awareness of the tuba/euphonium duo as a performance medium and to promote and disseminate new works for this unique combination of instruments. The duo chose the name “SYMBIOSISDUO” from the concert duet of that name written for them by composer Chris Sharp. In the program notes he writes: “Symbiosis is defined as, ‘A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence . . . The technical and range requirements for each solo instrument are comparable, suggesting a ‘separate but equal’ relationship.” This is an innovative and challenging approach to duet writing for tuba and euphonium producing ‘the symbiosis effect’ as the tuba is not relegated to an accompanying role, but is equal in all aspects of music with the other voice in the duo, the euphonium.

In addition to their duo, both Gail and Stacy have already had massive careers, which include countless ensembles, premieres, accolades, performing, arranging, composing – you name it, they’ve done it. (Fun fact – I saw Gail’s “Tubafours” tuba/euphonium quartet, which performed at Walt Disney World for around a decade, perform at Butler University when I was maybe 13 years old. It was the first time I had ever heard professional low brass players featured in a concert setting!)

Throughout the day, we will have an array of instruments and mouthpieces available to test and purchase. You can also sign up to get one-on-one instrument feedback with our guests as well as our representative from the Eastman Music Company. Instrument testing will be followed by a performance, clinic, and masterclass from our guest artists.

Here is the day’s schedule for Tuba & Euphonium Day 2023:

• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Instrument/mouthpiece fittings & testing – Eastman tubas, S.E. Shires euphoniums, and Warburton and Laskey mouthpieces | 30-minute appointments with Dr. Gail Robertson, Dr. Stacy Baker, and Sophie Rojas from Eastman Winds. If you are interested in trying out tubas or euphoniums that day, you may make an appointment by clicking here. Appointment slots are limited, so don’t wait!

• 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM – Break. Our guests will be out of the store during this period, but you are still welcome to come browse.

• 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM – Fittings & testing continued. Make an appointment by clicking here.

• 5:00 to 7:00 PM – Masterclass and Performance by “Symbiosis Duo” as well as solo performances with Dr. Gail Robertson and Dr. Stacy Baker. Masterclass topics to include:

• The ins and outs of creating your own chamber ensemble

• Composition techniques to build to build up your repertoire

• Exercises to increase embouchure efficiency (free mouthpiece visualizer provided!)

Our guest artists’ unique expertise in these areas will make for a wonderful, informative clinic that can even apply to all wind instrumentalists beyond just the tuba and euphonium. And amid these presentations, we will be treated to performances from these two world-class musicians.

All in all, this year’s Tuba & Euphonium Day is shaping up to be our biggest low brass event ever, and I couldn’t be more excited!

If you would like to attend the 5pm clinic/masterclass/performance, click here to RSVP!