CLASSICAL TUBA

Middle School

In Grade 6, Solomon, along with his peers, was given the new and exciting option of Band. During this time, students were able to choose the instrument they wanted to play, and he chose the Tuba. He was always drawn to how the Tuba sounded and looked. Quickly, he excelled on the Tuba, but COVID-19 shut everything down during this time, and he was stuck at home. Though this was tough for his progress, Solomon's Dad was a Band Teacher, and his siblings were in Band, and they all wanted to continue playing. His brother and dad played the Trumpet, his sister played the French Horn, his other brother played the Trombone, and he played the Tuba - perfect instrumentation for a Brass Quintet. Throughout the lockdown, they all played around the house, as a chance to musically express themselves through such an isolated time. As time went on, they traveled around, out to the community, and played for friends and family, hoping to bring some joy from their passion for music. As COVID-19 came to a close, Solomon was brought back into the world of Band, and he refound the passion that he had previously. Playing with the School Band gave him the purpose to practice and grow as a musician more than he ever could during lockdown.

Solomon playing the Sousaphone at home during the lockdown

Highschool

Solomon playing with the Senior Symphonic Band playing at the local Remberance Day service

The next year, Solomon moved on from Middle School to High School. This was a big change in Solomon's journey on the Tuba, as now he had musicians up to four years older than him that he could learn from. He was no longer the top dog of the Middle School Band Program, he was the new guy who had to prove himself to all of these incredible musicians. As soon as he got the chance, he joined the Highwood Senior Symphonic Band, which provided him with music far beyond his capability. With such a challenge, he grew at a fast pace. He began helping to lead sectionals with his peers, and quickly he had a standing as a trusted musician in the band. For the next three years, Solomon made a name for himself in the band as a reliable, rock-solid, trustworthy tuba player and musician. As a senior, Solomon has a vital role in the band as a leader not only of the Tuba section and Low Brass/Woodwinds, but also of the band. As the lead Tuba player, he is the anchor that holds the band down.

One of the annual community events that the band performs in is the Town of High River's Remembrance Day Service. This is the least we can do for the community, as they provide us with so much support now and in years previously. Their involvement truly helps students to see the deeper importance of Remembrance Day and the sacrifice that the soldiers made. Solomon has been given this opportunity during his entire time at Highwood, and he is grateful for it.

As the years have progressed, the Highwood Senior Symphonic band has continued to play university-level pieces of music written by the most influential composers in the world of Wind Band. In Grade 10, Solomon was allowed to play in the Symphonic Band when they went to the Contando Festival in Whistler, BC. During this time, the band won the prestigious award of Adjudicators' Choice and later performed their songs in front of a crowd of over 1000 people. Soon after, in the same year, the band traveled to the Red Deer Festival of Bands and again won the award of Adjudicators' Choice with a new repertoire of music. In Grade 12, the Highwood Symphonic Band received yet another Adjudicators' Choice at the same Red Deer Festival of Bands, making it three times Solomon has been a part of an ensemble that has won this award. The band continues to play challenging music for upcoming concerts, and Solomon continues to support the Band through his position as Tubaist.

Awards

Grade 9:

ABA Provincial Festival of Bands, Red Deer, Highwood Concert Band (Grade 9 Band), Gold Award for Superior Performance*
ABA Provincial Festival of Bands, Red Deer, Senior Symphonic Band, Gold Award for Superior Performance*
Individual Award for Grade 9 Outstanding Musicanship

Grade 10:

Cantando, Whistler, Senior Symphonic Gold Award for Superior Performance
- Special designation of Adjudicators' Choice, for the top concert band in the festival
ABA Provincial Festival of Bands, Red Deer Symphonic Band Gold Award for Superior Performance
- Special designation of Adjudicators' Choice, for the top concert band in the festival

Grade 11:

Cantando, Edmonton, Senior Symphonic Gold Award for Superior Performance
ABA Provincial Festival of Bands, Red Deer, Senior Symphonic Gold Award for Superior

Performance*

Grade 12:

AIBF, Edmonton, Senior Symphonic Gold Award for Superior Performance
- Special designation for Adjudicators' Choice, for the top concert band in the festival
Award for Grade 12 Outstanding Musicanship

*Earned a Music Fest Canada Nationals invitation

Solomon in Grade 12 playing with the Senior Symphonic Band during their Fall Concert

Videos:

This is Solomon in Grade 10 playing the "First Movement of the English Folk Song Suite," by Ralph Vaughan Williams. At this part of the song, the low brass has a large, spacious solo that contrasts with the clarinets and flutes, whose fingers are flying.

This is Solomon's performance of the "Third Movement of the English Folk Song Suite," by Ralph Vaughan Williams, when he was in Grade 10. Listen to how the Tubas and Trumpets call and respond to each other.

This is Solomon's Grade 12 performance of the "Third Movement of Prelude, Siciliano and Rondo," by Malcolm Arnold. Solomon plays the melody at the beginning with the Band and again, closer to the end.

This is "Sea Songs," by Ralph Vaughan Williams, performed by the Highwood Symphonic Band when Solomon was in Grade 12. Listen to the melodic Bass Line that Solomon and the Tubas play behind the melody.