Mr. Tuba () von Harvey Phillips

The autobiography of ';possibly the greatest tuba player of all time' (New York Times), the man who ';put class in the low brass.' (Clark Terry,jazz trumpeter) With warmth and humor, tuba virtuoso Harvey Phillips tells the story of his amazing life and careerfrom his Missouri childhood through his days as a performer with the King Brothers and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circuses, his training at the Juilliard School, a stint with the U.S. Army Field Band, and his freelance days with the New York City Opera and Ballet. A founder of the New York Brass Quintet, Phillips served as vice president of the New England Conservatory of Music and became Distinguished Professor of Music at Indiana University. The creator of an industry of TubaChristmases, Octubafests, and TubaSantas, he crusaded for recognition of the tuba as a serious musical instrument, commissioning more than 200 works. Enhanced by an extensive gallery of photographs, Mr. Tuba conveys Phillips's playful zest for life while documenting his important musical legacy. ';Mr. Tuba is not only a memoir, but it is a history of the twentieth century American music world and a resource for all music teachers and music lovers.' NBA Journal ';A lively and informative read.' Herald-Times ';[Phillips's] autobiography is a fitting end to his life's works, underlined with the same sense of inspiration and integrity that informed all of his musical activities.' Bloom Magazine

Foreword by David N. Baker
Acknowledgments

1. Growing Up in Missouri
2. King Bros. Circus Band
3. Traveling with the Greatest Show on Earth
4. Juilliard, Studying with William J. Bell
5. Freelancing 101
6. Carol
7. Chamber Music, New York Brass Quintet
8. A New York Professional
9. On Tour with the New York Brass Quintet
10. Family, Friends, and Summer Activities
11. New England Conservatory of Music
12. The Search for TubaRanch
13. Institute for Advanced Musical Studies
14. Bassed in Bloomington
15. Carnegie Hall Recitals
16. Indiana University Retirement
17. Renaissance of the Tuba: A Summary
18. On Being a Teacher
19. Performance Tips
20. Coda

Friends and Colleagues
Appendix
Index

With warmth and humor, tuba virtuoso Harvey Phillips tells the story of his amazing life and career from his Missouri childhood through his days as a performer with the King Brothers and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum& Bailey circuses, his training at the Juilliard School, a stint with the US Army Field Band, and his freelance days with the New York City Opera and Ballet. A founder of the New York Brass Quintet, Phillips served as vice president of the New England Conservatory of Music and became Distinguished Professor of Music at Indiana University. The creator of an industry of TubaChristmases, Octubafests, and TubaSantas, he crusaded for recognition of the tuba as a serious musical instrument, commissioning more than 200 works. Enhanced by an extensive gallery of photographs, Mr. Tuba conveys Phillips's playful zest for life while documenting his important musical legacy.

Harvey Phillips (1929-2010) was Distinguished Professor of Music Emeritus at Indiana University Bloomington. World renowned as a tuba soloist and brass quintet member, he founded and directed Octubafest, TubaChristmas, TubaSantas, TubaCompany, and the Matteson-Phillips TubaJazz Consort.