A “collaboration” between InnerTuba and a traditional brass or concert band can mean many things…
At one extreme it can be a band simply agreeing to me, Jon Hodkin, popping in one rehearsal evening. Perhaps just to listen to the band, or maybe join in for the joy of it if there’s a spare tuba seat that night. I might then spend 5 minutes explaining what InnerTuba is all about to band members during the tea break. We might even go to the pub afterwards. Sometimes the best plans are fermented toward day’s end!
It’s always fun to meet new players!
Tried and tested over the years is for InnerTuba to plan ahead a bit with a band. We can agree for me to attend a band rehearsal, which is perhaps publicised and thrown open to friends and family. At this I present some elements of my Indoor Performance. Then the band and me, the soloist, can enjoy playing through some of the InnerTuba repertoire. Whatever is deemed best to do, will always rest with the band’s Musical Director and Committee.
At the other extreme, a collaboration can involve a Band and InnerTuba agreeing to:
- Months or more of advance planning.
- Working with composers and arrangers to create a new piece for band and tuba soloist.
- Giving press and broadcast media interviews about it.
- Presenting a first performance of it in a high profile concert.
- Creating audio and video recordings to broadcast standards.
Below are some past examples of exciting collaborations:
“A Tuba Odyssey” was composed for and dedicated to InnerTuba by the generous and talented Dr Franner Otter. It’s a programmatic representation of the charms and challenges of InnerTuba touring. Franner has created 2 arrangements of the piece. The first is for British style brass band, the second for concert/wind band. Find out more about Franner’s fabulous music at www.frannerotter.com
This recording is of a live performance given by The Big River Brass Band, Conducted by Nicholas Propes, 23rd July, ’23, Davenport, Iowa, USA.
“For Emily” was written for me on tuba with piano accompaniment, by Scottish composer, pianist, and long time supporter of InnerTuba, William Gilmour. It’s dedicated to Emily Brown of the USA. At the age of 18 years she experienced a life changing brain aneurysm. The piece represents her loss, her dedication to recovery and rehabilitation and, ultimately, is a celebration of life itself. The original piano score has been arranged for British style brass band by Englishman Steve Tarry, and for concert/wind Band by American Bob Brooks.
This recording is of the first performance of the arrangement for brass band, here performed by The Big River Brass Band, conducted by Nicholas Propes, 23rd July, ’23, Davenport, Iowa, USA.
I asked English trombonist, arranger, and musical director John Iveson to arrange a Canadian piece of music for Solo Tuba and Brass Band back in 2013. We searched the repertoire, and came up with the soulful and emotive “A case of you” by Joni Mitchell. John’s arrangement is absolutely gorgeous, and dedicated to the late, Canadian born Karin Prior, RIP.
This recording was made at my first performance of the piece, on 27th September 2014, at Cartmel Priory, Cumbria, England. Arranger John Iveson directed Flookburgh Band.
Do you want your band to meet up and play with InnerTuba?
Be you a US School or Community Band Director, somewhere along the proposed InnerTuba Midwest to Northwest USA Tour route, or you are involved with brass and concert bands anywhere here in the UK, your call to action is: