About the Studio

The Tuba/Euphonium Studio at University of Arizona is a very active studio in the Fred Fox School of Music. It includes members from throughout the state of Arizona and the United States. Ranging from 12-18 members annually, studio members from undergraduate through doctoral levels of study major in music performance, music education, theory, ethnomusiciology, composition,  or may be non-music students pursuing various disciplines at the University who wish to continue their music studies. Regardless of major, every student in the studio studies with the professor.

Many large ensemble performance opportunities include Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, two orchestras, and many jazz big bands and combos. In addition, there are brass chamber music ensembles and a tuba/euphonium ensemble. Each year, Dr. Tropman forms the “Wildcat Tuba-Euphonium Quartet” with three advanced students and himself. This group rehearses weekly and performs both on and off campus.

Studio members have recently received accolades such as acceptance into the Miami Music Festival, the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival, the Pokorny Low Brass Seminar, and the International Tuba-Euphonium Conference. Graduates of the studio are currently pursuing graduate performance degrees, performing professionally, and serving as music teachers throughout the U.S.

In addition to the standard weekly lesson (1 hour), members of the tuba/euphonium studio participate in studio class (1 hour) as well as daily morning warmup/technique class Monday through Thursday (4 hours). This adds up to 6 hours each week of student/teacher contact, plus tuba/euphonium ensemble and chamber coaching. In addition, the studio regularly engages in social activities like group lunches or other outings. One will not find many other tuba/euphonium programs that offer so much weekly attention with the professor.