The GSC Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble is one of twenty-two collegiate/university ensembles of its type from around the world selected to perform at the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference in Tucson, Arizona. The group will be performing on Thursday, May 27th at the conference which will be held at the University of Arizona. The GSC ensemble is the only group of its type from the state of West Virginia that has been invited to perform. Ensembles from the University of Kansas, Louisiana State University, the University of Nevada Las Vegas, the University of Oregon, the Royal Northern College of Music from London, and Osaka University from Japan will also be performing. The conference is a huge bi-annual event that hosts brass soloist, artists, clinicians, ensembles, and educators from around the world.
"This is a massively prestigious invite. We will be the smallest student group invited and will be performing with groups from some of the finest music institutions in the world. This performance is the highest student group honor in the tuba and euphonium/baritone world. This is the equivalent to a college football team going to the National Championship. This is our championship," said Lloyd Bone, GSC Assistant Professor of Music and Fine Arts Department Chair.
The honor is not a first for the GSC Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble. The ensemble was one of a small group of tuba and euphonium ensembles from around the world that performed at the 2008 International Tuba and Euphonium Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio and performed at the 2007 United States Army Band Tuba and Euphonium Conference in Washington, D.C. GSC is the only tuba and euphonium ensemble from the state of West Virginia to ever perform at all of these major national and international conferences. They also performed as the featured college ensemble at the 2009 West Virginia Music Educators Association Conference in Morgantown.
The GSC Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble consists of nine students from around central West Virginia. The GSC Fine Arts Department is trying to raise money to fund this expensive but wonderful opportunity for these students. The week-long conference will require transportation, meals and lodging as well as conference registration costs for the group. The GSC Fine Arts Department is asking for financial support from GSC Alumni, students, faculty, and staff, family, friends, and the community. âThe Glenville community has always been so gracious and helpful when we have had to fundraise for big trips and honors. Our need for help with this trip is the greatest since I've been here at GSC mainly because of the massive distance of the trip. Any help of any kind will be hugely appreciated," said Bone.Those wishing to help defray the cost for the ensemble may send donations to the GSC Department of Fine Arts, care of Sheri Skidmore, 200 High Street, Glenville, West Virginia 226351.
For more information, contact Bone at Lloyd.bone@glenville.edu or (304) 462-6340.
