IUP Tubaphonium Ensemble

The IUP Tubaphonium Ensemble was formed under the direction of Dr. Gary Bird and presented its first concert in the Fall of 1971. Since that time it has performed numerous concerts, including performances at the 2014 International Tuba Euphonium Conference, 1978 and 2012 PMEA Conferences, the 1995, 1999, 2007, and 2009 U.S. Army Band Tuba-Euphonium Conferences in Washington, D.C., the 2013 and 2015 Northeast Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference, and the 1996 and 1998 Colonial Euphonium and Tuba Institute in Albany, NY and Indiana, PA respectively. The IUP Tubaphonium Ensemble has appeared extensively throughout Pennsylvania, primarily within the format of school assemble programs. This group has also been involved in sponsoring TubaChristmas in Indiana, PA for more than 30 years.

Over the years, the ensemble has commissioned many composers to compose works especially for them, including: Jack Stamp, Barbara York, Gregory Fritze, Al Agatucci, Charles Davis, and W. Roy Mitchell. The ensemble performs in a variety of styles from classical to pop, contemporary to jazz.

The IUP Tubaphonium Ensemble is comprised of students whose focus of study is music and/or music education with a major emphasis on the tuba and euphonium as well as qualified non-majors. It is an accredited ensemble and is featured on the IUP Department of Music CDs "Spectrum" and "COLLAGE." The ensemble is used as an extension of private instruction, allowing for master classes, ensemble rehearsal and performance, and the study of low brass literature and pedagogy.