for Suite Tuba: A Composition for Solo Tuba and Wind Band
Thank you for taking a moment to consider joining the commissioning consortium to bring to life a substantial new work for solo tuba and band. The idea is to create a piece as a musical tribute to Sam Pilafian, my teacher from Arizona State. Sam was one of the founding members of the Empire Brass Quintet, and unbeknownst to most, was in fact the primary arranger for Empire for more than 20 years. He always encouraged me to write and arrange, so this piece is a tribute to him on a number of levels. I'm imagining a 10 - 12 minute, multi-movement work. The tuba part would be appropriately difficult for a pro player, but the band parts would stay at around a Grade 4, i.e., playable by a good high school band. Here's the initial sketch of movement titles and content:
As you might imagine, taking on a project of this size and scope requires a substantial amount of funding. To that end, I would like to invite you to join a commissioning consortium. I am seeking 15 consortium partners able to contribute $600 each, for a total of $9,000 for the commission. Individual tuba players can join the consortium for $300 each. Eight schools have already joined, which leaves room for seven more full partners. Given the economic climate, consortium partners can commit to the project now but pay the honorarium anytime before August, 2010. Prompt payments are always welcome for those able to do so, but I recognize that budgets for the 2009-2010 year may already be set.
In return for your support, your school/organization/company will be listed by name on the dedication page. You will receive a numbered, autographed copy of the score and a full set of parts. All consortium members will have exclusive performance rights for a full year after the project is finished, a date tentatively scheduled for summer of 2010. Score and parts will be professionally engraved and printed by Cimarron Music, a truly remarkable publishing house, if you are not already familiar with their work.
Briefly, here is an overview of my credentials to create such a piece. First, my DMA is in Tuba Performance from Arizona State University, where I studied with Sam Pilafian and Dan Perantoni. After dozens of recitals, more than fifty solo performances and hundreds of orchestral excerpts, I feel confident in my grasp of the capabilities of the tuba. On the other side of the equation, I have always made the bulk of my living as a conductor, composer and arranger. Although I am still active as a Yamaha Tuba Artist, my teaching load at Northern Illinois University is strictly as a conductor. I have taught Orchestration and Wind and Percussion Scoring at the college level for the last eleven years. Prior to that, I taught high school band in the public schools of Mesa, Arizona for seven years. I have a number of pieces published; dozens more recorded by various bands, and will have 3 more compositions recorded and published by Alfred Publications in 2010. I have reviewed literally hundreds of pieces for the Instrumentalist magazine over the last 5 years. That said, I feel equally confident in my grasp of how to construct and score a piece of music for both tuba and wind band.
If you would like to join the Commissioning Consortium, simply respond using any of the channels above and let me know. I would be happy to send you an invoice at that time.
Many thanks,
Thomas Bough
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Consortium Partners, as of December 2009:
Dr. Jason Stumbo, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
Dr. Rob Hunter, Mesa Community College, Mesa, Arizona
Dr. Chris Hulett, Scottsdale Concert Band, Scottsdale, Arizona
Dr. Wally Parks, Metamora High School, Metamora, Illinois
Justin Klarer, Arbor View High School, Las Vegas, Nevada
Benjamin Helton, Bloom District #206, Chicago Heights, Illinois
Matt Kastor, Lakes Community High School, Lake Villa, Illinois
Craig Roselieb, Downers Grove South High School, Downers Grove, Illinois