Octubafest celebrates brass as solo instruments

The Department of Music will host two unique performances in the Performing Arts Center as part of “Octubafest,” a celebration of the tuba and euphonium as solo instruments.

The celebration will take place Wednesday and Friday, October 24 and 26, from 8-9:30 p.m. in the Sherman Van Solkema Recital Hall, under the direction of Paul Carlson, affiliate professor of music.

“The public can expect to hear unique sounds they might not be used to hearing when these instruments, that usually serve an accompaniment role, are placed in the spotlight,” said Carlson.

The event will feature 10 students from the Tuba and Euphonium Studio at Grand Valley, with five tubas and five euphonium.

“These instruments don’t get a lot of attention as a solo instrument,” said Carlson. “Having a celebration of the studio gives each student a chance to be in the spotlight, which is an opportunity they don’t get on a daily basis,”

The event is open to the public and admission is free. For more information call 616-331-3484, or visit gvsu.edu/music.