Tuba/Euphonium Studio
The USM tuba/euphonium studio is under the leadership of Dr. Richard Perry and averages sixteen to twenty students per year and includes talented players from across the Southeast, as well as other regions of the United States. The current roster includes students from Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania. The studio emphasizes the highest standards of performance, and the development of the total musicianship of the player.
USM tuba/euphonium students are active performers both on and off campus. A number of student recitals are given each year. USM is also an active host of guest artists. Among those who have performed here recently are Demondrae Thurman, Steven Mead, Neal Corwell, Jason Hamm, Adam Frey, John Stevens, Kenyon Wilson, David Zerkel, the British quartet Tubalaté, the Tennessee Tech Tuba Ensemble, and the Modern Jazz Tuba Project. USM was also the host for the 1997 Southeast Regional Tuba-Euphonium Conference.
Students in the USM studio have won numerous awards, including state, national and international competitions. Alumni of the USM tuba/euphonium studio are active as performers and teachers at all levels throughout the United States and internationally.
PERFORMING OPPORTUNITIES
Besides the Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, tuba and euphonium students have many other ensemble opportunities at USM, including the internationally acclaimed Wind Ensemble, the Symphonic Winds, and the Concert Band. The famous "Pride of Mississippi" Marching Band is a very vital part of the musical and athletic life at USM, as are the Athletic Pep Bands that perform at football and basketball events. The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra presents an average of six subscription concerts per season in Hattiesburg and has begun to host a variety of annual events, including the American Honor Orchestra Conference and the American Orchestral Institute.
There are also chamber music opportunities in student brass quintets and tuba/euphonium quartets. Student chamber ensembles play on University brass recitals (held several times each month) and are often hired for freelance playing as well. A tuba/euphonium quartet from USM won the International Tuba/Euphonium Quartet Competition at ITEC in Regina, and another quartet was invited to the semifinals of the 2002 International Tuba/Euphonium Quartet competition.
UNDERGRADUATE AUDITIONS
Students interested in pursuing undergraduate tuba/euphonium studies at The University of Southern Mississippi School of Music must audition for acceptance into the music program. Auditions can be arranged by contacting Dr. Richard Perry to schedule an audition in person on campus. Although live auditions are preferred, audio or videotaped auditions are acceptable if travel distance is prohibitive.
Undergraduate auditions typically consist of two contrasting solos/etudes from the standard répertoire and a short selection of sight-reading. An accompanist is not needed for auditions.
Students interested in auditioning for scholarships should contact Mr. Jamie Standland, Assistant Director of Bands at USM, at 601.266.4990. Undergraduate students are encouraged to contact the USM Office of Admissions at 601.266.5000 for information on additional, non-music scholarships.
Students interested in scholarship consideration should audition prior to March 1.
GRADUATE AUDITIONS
Graduate-level students interested in pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts and the Master of Music Degrees at The University of Southern Mississippi School of Music are eligible for graduate teaching assistantships, which waive all out-of-state and in-state tuition fees and pay a monthly stipend divided over a nine-month period. Assistantships are granted on a two-year basis and may be renewed for a third year by petition.
The tuba/euphonium studio graduate assistant typically teaches private lessons and assists with the USM Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble.
Graduate tuba and euphonium players may also opt for assistantships in other areas, such as jazz, theory, music history, etc. Specific information about graduate assistantships (stipend amounts, academic requirements, etc.) should be directed to Libby Vanatta, Graduate Advisor for the School of Music at 601.266.6458.
Graduate tuba and euphonium auditions can be arranged by contacting Dr. Perry to schedule an audition in person on campus. Although live auditions are preferred, audio or videotaped auditions are acceptable if travel distance is prohibitive. Graduate auditions typically consist of three or four contrasting solos from the standard tuba/euphonium répertoire, and should show the applicant’s ability to perform the more advanced répertoire. An accompanist is not needed for auditions.
Students interested in scholarship consideration should audition prior to March 1.