Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXS - While communities throughout the world are holding Octoberfests, the Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble at Stephen F. Austin State University is celebrating an Octubafest, which will culminate with a "Tubaween" concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31, in Cole Concert Hall.

J.D. Salas, the tuba and euphonium instructor at SFA, said he and his students began the Octubafest with two studio recitals earlier in the month. "For the final concert, which falls on Halloween, the students will perform in costume and incorporate some interesting sounds unique to the tuba-euphonium ensemble."

"This series has been celebrated at many universities around the
country," said Salas, who joined the SFA faculty this year. "Since
Octoberfests began in Germany where the tuba-euphonium ensemble is one
of the main performing groups, the name 'Octubafest' and the
celebration of the low brass instruments is a fun but logical
connection."

The tuba-euphonium ensemble is a fairly recent medium, explained Salas.
"The first ensemble was formed approximately 30 years ago at Tennessee
Tech University, so a lot of the music is limited to transcriptions.
However, there are plenty of new pieces composed originally for the
tuba-euphonium ensemble. It is some of these compositions that utilize
the beautiful, low sounds of this unique instrumentation."

Included on the "Tubaween" program will be transcriptions of Igor
Stravinsky's ballet "The Firebird," W.C. Handy's "St. Louis Blues" and
a conzona by Giovanni Gabrieli.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For
tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or
call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.