Tuba

The Aspen Music Festival and School tuba department offers the opportunity to play premier assignments alongside artist-faculty from major U.S. orchestras or as principal in a variety of ensembles. For details on the student orchestral experience, please see the Orchestra/Instrumental program page. 

Please see our Fellowships and Financial Aid page to learn more about our many fellowship and scholarship opportunities available to full session applicants.

Important Program Information

  • Applicants should submit the financial aid form for access to all funding opportunities.
  • VIDEO audition recordings are required.
  • The Aspen Festival Orchestra (AFO) principal tuba fellowship recipient is chosen from the general applicant pool.
  • Additional repertoire required for euphonium consideration.
  • Students under the age of 18 do not play in orchestra but may take private lessons and participate in chamber music.

Teaching Faculty

Faculty residencies may vary.

How to Apply

APPLICATION OPENS SEPTEMBER 15
  • Resume required
  • Two letters of recommendation encouraged but not required

STANDARD REPERTOIRE

All tuba applicants must submit the following repertoire for a total of 10 or 11 INDIVIDUAL VIDEO TRACKS. Do not include your name in the video title or description.

  • CASTEREDE: Sonata for Tuba; 2nd movement; accompaniment not required
  • REVUELTAS: Sensemaya; Reh. 2 to 11
  • WAGNER: Meistersinger Overture; Reh. J to L
  • BERLIOZ: Hungarian March; first entrance F arpeggio for 20 m.
  • WAGNER: Ride of the Valkyries
  • MAHLER: Symphony No. 1; 3rd movement first entrance, hold the last D for four measures
  • PROKOFIEV: Symphony No. 5; 1st movement, Reh. 3 to 7 m. after Reh. 5
  • BERLIOZ: Corsair Overture; Reh. 5 through 9 m. after Reh. 5, and Reh. 12 to the downbeat of Reh. 13
  • MAHLER: Symphony No. 5; 3rd movement, 13 m. before Reh. 16 to Reh. 17
  • WAGNER: Ein Faust Overture; m. 1–3
  • OPTIONAL: An additional work of your choice by an underrepresented composer (maximum of 3 minutes of any portion of that work)

EUPHONIUM (full session only) 

To be considered for euphonium placement please submit the following excerpt, for a total of 11 or 12 INDIVIDUAL VIDEO TRACKS.

  • ARBAN: Fourteen Characteristic Studies (select one)
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Application Fees & Deadlines

Deadline: January 5, 2025
Application opens September 15, 2024

Application Fee(s):

$30 September 15–October 15, 2024
$60 October 16–December 15, 2024
$110 December 16, 2024–January 5, 2025