Mr. Tuba, livre ebook

The autobiography of a titan of the tuba

Read an excerpt from the book about the origin of Octubafest Listen to a podcast about Harvey Phillips on WFIU Artworks

With warmth and humor, tuba virtuoso Harvey Phillips tells the story of his amazing life and career from his Missouri childhood through his days as a performer with the King Brothers and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circuses, his training at the Juilliard School, a stint with the US Army Field Band, and his freelance days with the New York City Opera and Ballet. A founder of the New York Brass Quintet, Phillips served as vice president of the New England Conservatory of Music and became Distinguished Professor of Music at Indiana University. The creator of an industry of TubaChristmases, Octubafests, and TubaSantas, he crusaded for recognition of the tuba as a serious musical instrument, commissioning more than 200 works. Enhanced by an extensive gallery of photographs, Mr. Tuba conveys Phillips's playful zest for life while documenting his important musical legacy.

Foreword by David N. Baker
Acknowledgments

1. Growing Up in Missouri
2. King Bros. Circus Band
3. Traveling with the Greatest Show on Earth
4. Juilliard, Studying with William J. Bell
5. Freelancing 101
6. Carol
7. Chamber Music, New York Brass Quintet
8. A New York Professional
9. On Tour with the New York Brass Quintet
10. Family, Friends, and Summer Activities
11. New England Conservatory of Music
12. The Search for TubaRanch
13. Institute for Advanced Musical Studies
14. Bassed in Bloomington
15. Carnegie Hall Recitals
16. Indiana University Retirement
17. Renaissance of the Tuba: A Summary
18. On Being a Teacher
19. Performance Tips
20. Coda

Friends and Colleagues
Appendix
Index