Tubaween is a musical event that was originally put on by the Vandal Marching Band, but has since been incorporated into the Lionel Hampton School of Music. Tubaween has hosted every Halloween, and members of the Lionel Hampton School of music put on a musical performance with mostly the tuba players.
The only difference this year is that unlike most Tubaweens, this one is going to be done virtually. Mark Thiele, the tuba instructor for the Lionel Hampton School of Music said that due to COVID-19, they will not be doing audience performances this Tubaween. Instead, they will broadcast pre-recorded performances for Tubaween at 4 p.m. on Oct. 31. Their performance will be made accessible to the public via their Facebook page, but also there is a Zoom link on the Lionel Hampton School of Music website. Assistant professor of Tuba/Euphonium and Director of Bands Mark Thiele said that the students are excited to perform.
“They are glad to be doing it no matter what,” Thiele said. “We always have fun and put on a good show for Tubaween.”
This year, Tubaween will feature not only tuba players, but also euphonium and trombone players as well according to Thiele. Ryan Egan, a student at the University of Idaho and tuba instructor, said that it’ll feature a mixture of group and solo performers as well.
Tubaween will also be extended over a period of days. After the performance on Oct. 31, on Sunday Nov. 1 at 4 p.m., there will be a faculty recital hosted by Thiele over Zoom. Then on Wednesday, Nov. 4, they are broadcasting a recital by guest euphonium player Demondre Thurman.
What the band will be doing for Tubaween, is secret, but Thiele did say that the theme is “Tuba from the Past.” If anyone wants to know what that entails, they will have to tune in at 4 p.p. Saturday, Oct. 31.
Ryan Hill can be reached at [email protected].