The TcUBA tuba and euphonium quartet group will travel to Linz, Austria to compete in an international music competition

this summer.

“For tuba and euphonium players, this international conference is the biggest thing,” Richard Murrow, a tuba and euphonium
professor, said.

According to the International Tuba-Euphonium Association website, the conference invites student musicians to learn from the most talented players in the world in a week-long event. 

Midway through the conference, the TcUBA quartet group will compete against nine other groups from around the world in a tuba-euphonium ensemble competition from June 24 to 26.

Jon Wylie, first tuba player, had been chosen as designated veteran and leader of
the quartet. 

The competition was an incredible opportunity, Wylie said. But he cannot help but see humor in his talent.

“We get to go to Austria as one of the premier groups in the world just because we blow through metal tubes,” Wylie said. “It’s crazy if you stop and think about it.”

Seth Shaffer, a sophomore music education major and second tuba player, recalled the audition process for
the competition.

They rehearsed every week last semester and then had three days of recording and editing music, Shaffer said. This was only for the
audition, he said.

Deion Lewis, a sophomore music performance major and first euphonium player, said being in the TcUBA quartet was an achievement itself. Lewis said to be in the quartet, one had to be the best tuba and euphonium players in the School of Music.

TCU had competed in the biennial event five times since 2002 and made it to the finals once, he said.

Alex Mares, a sophomore music performance major and second euphonium player, said the professionals they looked up to would be teaching and performing at the conference, so the group had much to prove.

Murrow said even though his students may have a personal stake in winning the competition, he said he did not believe the trip was
about winning.

“It’s not a sports event,” Murrow said. “It’s about learning to demonstrate your art better, to be able to play at a level where you can affect your audience more.”

Wylie said the group was accepting donations for
the trip.

To learn more, visit the TcUBA quartet Facebook page.