Wayne State's first annual Octubafest will kick off on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 pm, with "We can play melody toooba!" a recital featuring all levels of tuba and euphonium students, directed by Janet McCaskill. The first three Octubafest events are free and take place in Shaver Music Recital Hall (Old Main, 480 W. Hancock).
On Friday, Oct. 22 at 11:45 am, guest artist Gary Bird will present a masterclass as part of the General Lecture series. Dr. Bird, now retired, was Professor of Music at Indiana University in PA. His accomplishments include writing the book, Program Notes for the Solo Tuba, (Indiana University Press, Bloomington, IN), being named "Teacher of the Year" in 1987 by the PMTA (Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association), and serving as principal tubist for several orchestras.
Janet McCaskill will present a faculty recital "The lighter side of Tuba . . ." on Sunday, Oct. 24 at 3:00 pm. The recital will include works for solo tuba, a Bach duet with students and several duets with guest artist, Gary Bird.
The inaugural Octubafest will close on Monday, Oct. 25, with a University Orchestra performance at 7:30 pm in Community Arts Auditorium. Prof. Kypros Markou will lead the Orchestra with Gary Bird in performing Beethoven's Symphony no. 1, Fritze's Concertino for Tuba and Orchestra and Wagner's Prelude to The Meistersingers. Tickets will be sold at the door, $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.
Founded in 1918, the Department of Music cultivates music as a contemporary and global art, grounded in a long historical tradition, by combining higher education with professional training and experience for its undergraduate and graduate/professional students. Building on the strengths of its geographic and cultural setting, the Department maintains public access to its performances and degree programs, offers high-level professional and academic standards and unique creative and scholarly opportunities appropriate to a large research university, and cultivates a deep aesthetic understanding of music in our students and the larger urban arts community.