Teupha Week

More Information Coming in Spring of 2024

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2023 Guest Artists

2023 Schedule

Small Ensemble Competition

FAQ

The Original Teupha Camp Experience.

The Best 4 Days of Your Life!

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Performance

Play in several different ensembles together with your friends! Learn and grow together while playing music that was written and arranged specifically for you!

Mentorship

Learn from the best! Experience warmups, masterclasses, recitals, and private lessons from some of the greatest tuba and euphonium players around!

Community

Get to know your teachers and meet other students who share your interests! Build friendships while competing in musical sports and games!

Exhibits

In the market for a new instrument or mouthpiece? Test them out to your heart's content on vendor day! We'll give you advice on what is the best fit for you!

Guest Artists

2023 Guest Artists

Matt Hightower

Matt Hightower is the assistant professor of tuba and euphonium at Florida State University College of Music and principal tuba with the Tallahassee Symphony. Hightower was previously on faculty at the University of Kentucky and Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Hightower has performed with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Louisville Ballet, Lexington Philharmonic, Victoria Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Bach Festival, WCIT World Orchestra in Yerevan, Armenia, and the Tallahassee Symphony, amongst others. Credits as a chamber musician include performances with the University of Kentucky Faculty Brass Quintet, Kingsville Brass Quintet, Corpus Chrisit Brass Quintet, Mirari Brass Quintet, Concert:Nova, and David Baker’s 20th Century BeBop Band.

His debut album, “Re(in)spiration,” was a finalist for the 2021 ITEA Roger Bobo Award for Excellence in Recording. The International Tuba Euphonium Association Journal wrote “Re(in)spiration illustrates Hightower’s outstanding skills as a performer and artist” and “showcases Hightower’s total control of the horn, concrete fundamentals, and musical sincerity." He can also be heard on the University of Texas Wind Ensemble’s “Wine Dark Sea,” Society of Composers, Inc.’s “Flare: Vol 32,” the University of Kentucky Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble's "Blue Thunder" and the University of Kentucky Faculty Brass Quintet’s “New Music for Brass Quintet” amongst others.
In addition to his career as an educator and performer, Dr. Hightower is an award-winning composer having won the 2010 KMEA Intercollegiate Composition Contest and the 2021 ITEA Winston Morris Award for Tuba Ensemble Composition, Commissioned works by Dr. Hightower have received premier performances at the 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2023 International Tuba Conferences, the 2017 & 2018 South Central Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference, the 2018 South East Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference, the John F. Kennedy Center, and the 2016 Texas Music Educators Conference. Many of his arrangements and original works are published through Potenza Music and Absolute Brass Publishing. He is also a composer for Fannin Musical Productions, where he arranges and composes music for high school marching bands across the United States.

Dr. Hightower earned a BM in music education from Murray State University, an MM in tuba performance from Indiana University, and a DMA from the University of Texas at Austin. His primary instructors were Ray Conklin, Daniel Perantoni, and Charles Villarrubia, with additional instruction in the field of composition from Mike D’Ambrosio, John Fannin, and P.Q. Phan.

Matt Hightower is a B&S performing artist.
As a professional tubist, Dr. Hightower’s performance experience covers a wide range of chamber, orchestral, and solo music that spans three continents and ten countries. He is a prizewinner of international solo competitions and has presented masterclasses to tuba/euphonium students around the world.

His growing list of solo residencies includes Baylor University, Conservatory of Reykjavik (Iceland), East Tennessee State University, the University of Louisiana at Monroe, the University of North Georgia, the University of Tennessee, the University of Texas, Vanderbilt University, Tennessee Tech University, the University of Memphis, Morehead State University, the 2019 International Tuba/Euphonium Conference, the 2017 & 2018 South Central Regional Tuba/Euphonium Conferences, the 2015 & 2018 South East Regional Tuba/Euphonium Conferences, The United States Army Band Tuba/Euphonium Workshop in Arlington, VA, the Armenian Conservatory of Music in Yerevan, Armenia and the Xi Xiang Music Valley (China) among others.

He is the tubist with the University of Kentucky Faculty Brass Quintet and has also performed with the Corpus Christi Brass Quintet, the Kingsville Brass Quintet, the Lexington Philharmonic Brass Quintet, the Mirari Brass Quintet, the Atlas Tuba Quartet, and Concert:Nova.

Some of his credits as a large ensemble performer include appearances with the Bloomington Camerata Orchestra, The Columbus (IN) Symphony, The Evansville Philharmonic, The Iceland Symphony Orchestra, The Louisville Ballet, The Jackson Symphony, the Lexington Philharmonic, the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, the Victoria Bach Festival, the WCIT World Orchestra in Yerevan, Armenia and David Baker’s 20th Century BeBop Band.

Hightower’s debut album, “Re(in)spiration,” was released in 2019 and was a finalist for the 2021 ITEA Roger Bobo Award for Excellence in Recording. The International Tuba Euphonium Association Journal wrote “Re(in)spiration illustrates Hightower’s outstanding skills as a performer and artist” and “showcases Hightower’s total control of the horn, concrete fundamentals, and musical sincerity.” He can also be heard on the University of Texas Wind Ensemble’s “Wine Dark Sea,” Society of Composers, Inc.’s “Flare: Vol 32,” and the University of Kentucky Faculty Brass Quintet’s “New Music for Brass Quintet” amongst others.

In addition to his career as teacher and performer, Dr. Hightower is an award-winning composer having won the 2010 KMEA Intercollegiate Composition Contest and the 2021 ITEA Winston Morris Award for Tuba Ensemble Composition Commissioned works by Dr. Hightower have received premier performances at the 2012, 2014, and 2016 International Tuba Conferences, the 2017 & 2018 South Central Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference, the 2018 South East Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference, the John F. Kennedy Center, and the 2016 Texas Music Educators Conference. Many of his arrangements and original works are published through Potenza Music and Absolute Brass Publishing. He is also a composer for Fannin Musical Productions, where he arranges and composes music for high school marching bands across the United States.

Dr. Hightower earned a BM in music education from Murray State University, an MM in tuba performance from Indiana University, and a DMA from the University of Texas at Austin. His primary instructors were Ray Conklin, Daniel Perantoni, and Charles Villarrubia, with additional instruction in the field of composition from Mike D’Ambrosio, John Fannin, and P.Q. Phan.

Matt Hightower is a B&S performing artist.

Demondrae Thurman

Over the last 25 years, Demondrae Thurman has established a worldwide reputation through his varied experiences as a euphonium soloist, educator, chamber musician, and conductor. He has given performances in Canada, Hungary, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, France, Spain, Taiwan, Macau, Norway, China, Italy, Austria, England, Wales, and throughout the United States. Demondrae is a frequently invited guest at many of the world's most noted festivals and conferences for Low Brass including the International Euphonium Tuba Conference, Jeju International Brass and Percussion Competition, the United States Army Band Tuba Euphonium Workshop, and the Leonard Falcone International Solo Competition.

Demondrae is known for his signature sound and overt musicality. Maestro Gerard Schwarz, Music Director of the Eastern Music Festival and the All Star Orchestra says, "When he plays, he's speaking his own euphonium language, part singer, tenor and baritone, and part remarkable brass player. He sings on his instrument and reaches everyone in his audience. His technique seems flawless and his phrasing is remarkable." As an advocate of new music, Demondrae has commissioned or premiered several works for Euphonium including In Memorium for Euphonium and Band by Maestro Schwarz, the Heritage Concerto for Euphonium and Band by Anthony Barfield, Fantasy for Euphonium Orchestra, and Soliloquies for Unaccompanied Euphonium by John Stevens. In 2020, Demondrae was featured two separate times on American Public Media's Performance Today hosted by Fred Child. During his 22-23 performance season, he gave the world premiere of the orchestra version of the Barfield concerto with the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Norman Huynh and the orchestra version of In Memorium at the Eastern Music Festival with Maestro Grant Cooper.

Demondrae is often given the opportunity to perform orchestral repertoire that calls for euphonium and bass trumpet. He has performed with many of the finest orchestras in the United States including the Atlanta Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic, Oregon Symphony, Eastern Music Festival Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra as well as the 2016 Summer Season with the New Philharmonic under the leadership of Maestro Alan Gilbert. Anu Tali, former Music Director of the Sarasota Orchestra and the Nordic Symphony Orchestra says, "Demondrae's warm sound combined with artistic flexibility is every orchestra's and conductor's dream." Demondrae has also performed under the baton of Yannick Nezet-Seguin, Donald Runnicles, Robert Spano, Gerard Schwarz, Andrew Litton, Edo de Waart, and Carlos Kalmar.

Chamber Music is an integral component of Demondrae's career. Has performed on euphonium and trombone with the National Brass Ensemble, Summit Brass, Philadelphia Big Brass, Dallas Brass, and the Youngblood Brass Band- but his most celebrated collaboration is as first euphonium with the Sotto Voce Quartet. Sotto Voce is responsible for changing the direction and perception of the tuba-euphonium quartet through its performance quality, self-generated repertoire, and studio recordings. Especially noted for its performance of "in-house" compositions and arrangements, mostly by tubist and composer Mike Forbes, Sotto Voce has overcome the "omm-pah" implications that come with low brass instruments. Edward Forstman of Arts Bham writes, "... the players summoned tones that would have sounded right for string instruments or vocal ensembles." In addition to playing concerts as a part of major concert series and university settings, live performances are frequently heard on Performance Today. Demondrae also plays Baritone horn in the Brass Band of Battle Creek, an all-star brass and percussion ensemble.

Demondrae has released three solo recordings, all of which have received stellar reviews. His latest album, Snapshots, received the Silver Medal for Best Album by Global Music Awards. In March of 2021, Demondrae will release his fourth solo effort with Prima Classic entitled Sound and Light. The Sotto Voce quartet has four studio recordings in addition to a live performance recording from the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the most prominent music educator’s conference in the United States. Demondrae can also be heard on recordings with the Temptations, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Brass Band of Battle Creek, Saint Louis Low Brass Collective, and the Isthmus Brass.

Conducting has become an important aspect of Demondrae’s career since making his debut in 1999. Since that time, he has appeared as a guest conductor with numerous wind bands, brass bands, and symphony orchestras. His symphony orchestra debut came in 2008 conducting Scheherazade by Rimsky Korsakov with the Huxford Symphony Orchestra of the University of Alabama where he also served as its conductor from 2011-2013. He is the former Resident Assistant Conductor of the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra (Alabama) where he conducted children's concerts and Pops programs.

Currently, Demondrae is Professor of Music and Chair of the Brass Department at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. The position was created for him to utilize his specific skills and expertise in euphonium and brass chamber music. He is also serves on the faculty of Samford University and has given masterclasses and clinics at many of the world's leading colleges and universities for low brass.

Demondrae Thurman is a Miraphone Performing Artist and plays exclusively the Miraphone 5050 Ambassador Edition euphonium which was designed specifically for him. He also plays the custom Demondrae model mouthpiece manufactured by Warburton Music Products and is a Shires Trombone Performing Artist.

Matthew Kundler

Dr. Matthew Kundler is a performer and educator based in Central Texas, serving as the Adjunct Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. As a soloist, Matthew has been awarded prizes and recognition in the Leonard Falcone International Tuba and Euphonium Competition, the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference, the University of Alabama's Concerto Competition, Northwestern University's Concerto Competition, the Concours Prestige Internationale, the University of Texas's Concerto Competition, and the Army Band's National Collegiate Solo Competition.

Matthew has performed with the International Contemporary Ensemble, Chicago Brass Band, the BackBurner! Tuba Ensemble (the only professional tuba ensemble in the U.S.), the Georgia Brass Band, and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, as well as performing as a featured soloist with the Brass Band of Huntsville, Mt. Prospect Wind Ensemble, the Kealing Middle School Band, the University of Alabama Brass Ensemble, the Wheaton Municipal Band, and Northwestern University’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble. As a member of the International Tuba and Euphonium Association, Matthew performed recitals as an invited guest artist at the Midwest Regional Tuba and Euphonium Conference, the Southeast Regional Tuba and Euphonium Conference, and the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference..

An advocate for new music, Matthew has performed the premieres of solo works for euphonium by Steve Snowden, Jose Flores, Derek Holden, Matthew Jackfert, Frank Guilino, and Paul McGhee. As a member of euphonium quartet !ncite, Matthew has commissioned works for this growing genre of euphonium chamber music from composers Dan Kramer, Ian McCollum, and Doug Bristol. Matthew also serves as the group's primary arranger, focusing on transcriptions of Romantic art songs and contemporary string quartets.

Matthew is also cofounder of the Diversity Initiative Call for Scores, an organization that promotes the works of composers of underrepresented communities. The organization's first call for scores received over 85 new works of brass chamber music from 27 countries. Alongside this organization, Matthew founded the Illinois Low Brass Institute and the Tuba and Euphonium Charity Series, two education-focused entities that provide the highest quality of music education to all.

Matthew received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama, his Master’s degree from Northwestern University, and his Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Texas at Austin. His primary teachers include Rex Martin, Demondrae Thurman, Jeremy Crawford, Martin Cochran, and Charles Villarrubia.

Matthew is a Miraphone Performing Artist and performs on a Miraphone M5050 Ambassador Euphonium.

Kevin Wass

Kevin Wass, Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at Texas Tech University, holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Michigan, the Bachelor of Science degree (Summa cum laude) in Music Education from Dana College, and the Master of Music degree and Performer's Certificate from Indiana University. He has performed with a wide range of ensembles, including the Disneyland All-American College Band, the Music Academy of the West Festival Orchestra, the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra, the Omaha, Lincoln, and Honolulu Symphony Orchestras, Santa Fe Pro Musica and various brass chamber groups. Solo appearances have included competitions in the United States, Canada, and the Czech Republic, and recitals and concerto appearances at colleges, universities, and regional and international tuba-euphonium conferences. His teaching background is equally varied, with experience as a band and orchestra director at the elementary and high school levels as well as private studio and classroom teaching at the college level. In addition to his duties at Tech, Dr. Wass has served on the faculty of the Las Vegas Music Festival and currently serves as Principal Tuba of the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra. His principal studies have been with Fritz Kaenzig, Daniel Perantoni, Harvey Phillips, and Craig Fuller.

Students of Kevin Wass can be found in teaching and performing positions throughout the United States, including Principal Tuba in the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra, Tuba and Euphonium in the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, and Euphonium in the United States Air Force Ceremonial Band. Graduates from the tuba and euphonium studio at Texas Tech have also been admitted to graduate study at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, including the Juilliard School, Indiana University, the University of North Texas, and the Royal Northern College of Music (UK). Competition honors for Dr. Wass’s students include first place in the ITEC Mock Orchestral Audition and five national finalists in the MTNA Young Artist Brass competition.

Dr. Wass is a long-time member of ITEA/TUBA, in which his activities have included hosting a regional conference (2005), serving as founding chair of the Harvey G. Phillips Awards for Excellence in Composition (2005-2011), serving on the Board of Directors as Conferences Coordinator (2009-2011), and serving as an Associate Editor of the ITEA Journal writing the quarterly “Dear Dr. TubaEuph” column (2012-2015). He was President of ITEA from 2017 to 2019.

Sample Schedule

Tuesday

8:00

9:00

9:30

10:15

11:00

12:00

12:35

1:40

2:15

3:00

3:30

4:00

Registration

Faculty Performance

Wind Olympics

Warmup Class

Ensemble Rehearsal

Lunch Break

Ensemble Rehearsal

Faculty Performance

Guest Artist Masterclass

Ensemble Rehearsal

Faculty Performance

Dismissal

Wednesday

7:15

9:00

9:30

10:15

11:00

12:00

12:35

1:40

2:15

3:00

3:30

4:00

Private Lessons (Optional)

Faculty Performance

Wind Olympics

Warmup Class

Ensemble Rehearsal

Lunch Break

Ensemble Rehearsal

Faculty Performance

Guest Artist Masterclass
Ensemble Rehearsal

Faculty Performance

Dismissal

Thursday

7:15

9:00

9:30

10:15

11:00

12:00

12:35

1:40

2:15

3:00

3:30

4:00

Private Lessons (Optional)

Faculty Performance

Wind Olympics

Warmup Class

Ensemble Rehearsal

Lunch Break

Ensemble Rehearsal

Faculty Performance

Guest Artist Masterclass
Ensemble Rehearsal

Faculty Performance

Dismissal

Friday

7:15

9:00

9:15

10:00

11:00

12:00

12:30

1:00

2:30

3:30

4:30

6:30

Private Lessons (Optional)

Faculty Performance

Warmup Class

Ensemble Rehearsal

Lunch Break

Ensemble Rehearsal

Ensemble Competition /

Visit Exhibits

Wind Olympics Final

Kona Ice

Student Concert

Dismissal

2023 Schedule

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Small Ensemble Competition

Overview

Teupha Week features a small ensemble competition/recital on Thursday, June 15th. There is no cost to enter, but all participants must be registered for Teupha Week. Each ensemble will receive a FREE 30 minute coaching from one of the Teupha Faculty. Ensembles may contain any mix of 2-6 euphonium/tuba players. There is no required repertoire, but the performance should be under 7 minutes. If you would like to participate but don't have an ensemble to play with, you can indicate that on the Teupha Week registration form, and we'll try to help you find an ensemble.

Grand Prize

Grand Prize: Each ensemble member will receive a $100 Teupha Scholarship and $50 cash

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Chamber Music Competition

FAQ

Do you provide housing accommodations for out of town students?

No. Students who live too far away to commute often stay with family, friends, other campers that they know, or in a nearby hotel.
What are the age requirements?

At least 1 year of playing experience is necessary. Students range from 6th graders who have just completed their first year of band to seniors who have just graduated high school.
Do I need to bring my own instrument?

Yes. All students are required to bring their own instrument and mouthpiece. You may have to make arrangements with your band director to ensure you have access to an instrument for Teupha Week. If you are unable to find an instrument, contact us at teuphacamptx@gmail.com and we may be able to help.
Is lunch or dinner provided?

No. We will provide snacks throughout the day, but students should plan on packing a lunch for our daily lunch break from 12:30-1:00.
Are private lessons available?

Yes. There is an option on the registration page to sign up for two 30 minute private lessons with the faculty. You will have the chance to pick your top choices for lessons teachers in an emailed survey at a later date.
What are the details for the concert on Friday?

The concert will be in the Rouse HS auditorium (as shown on the map) beginning at 4:30 and lasting until approximately 6:00. Students should wear their camp T-Shirt for the performance. It is expected that all students will stay through the entire concert unless other arrangements have been made with Teupha Camp in advance.

Teupha Week

The Original Teupha Camp Experience.

2023 Guest Artists

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

2023 Schedule

Small Ensemble Competition

Directions