Jacob Cameron, Director
The Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble comprises all members of Western Michigan University's Tuba/Euphonium Studio (generally eight to nine tubas and four to six euphoniums). The ensemble performs a wide variety of pieces, giving students the opportunity to play music that is not only uncharacteristic of their instruments, but uncharacteristic to the "classically" trained musician. This experience trains music education majors to teach varied styles, and it teaches performance majors how to vary their tone color and style to match the character of a piece.
The ensemble offers the challenge for these accompanying instruments to experience inner harmonic voices as well as melodic lines and bass lines. In contrast with their typical experience—playing in large ensembles with four or more tubas and two or three euphoniums—this ensemble provides an opportunity to play as a unit with attention to chordal intonation, balance, blend, tone quality, clarity and phrase shaping.
Professor Jacob Cameron conducts the WMU Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble, which meets every Friday afternoon from 2 to 3 p.m. Junior and senior music education majors also rehearse and conduct pieces. In some instances, this rehearsal time is used as a master class, with students performing for each other. Occasionally, important topics are presented and discussed.
Contact
Jacob Cameron
(269) 387-4698