Table Of ContentM Tuba
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M Tuba
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Harvey PHilliPs
Foreword by DaviD N. Baker
Indiana University Press Bloomington & Indianapolis
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© 2012 by Carol Phillips Cataloging-in-Publication Data
All rights reserved Phillips, Harvey, 1929–2010, author.
Mr. Tuba / Harvey Phillips ;
Publication of Mr. Tuba was aided by foreword by David N. Baker.
the generous support of the Indiana pages cm
University Jacobs School of Music. Includes index.
ISBN 978-0-253-00724-7 (cloth : alkaline
No part of this book may be reproduced paper) — ISBN 978-0-253-00731-5 (e-book)
or utilized in any form or by any means, 1. Phillips, Harvey, 1929–2010. 2. Tubists—
electronic or mechanical, including United States—Biography. I. Title.
photocopying and recording, or by ML419.P49A3 2012
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system, without permission in writing [B]
from the publisher. The Association of 2012021225
American University Presses’ Resolution
on Permissions constitutes the only
exception to this prohibition. 1 2 3 4 5 17 16 15 14 13 12
To Carol
This autobiography is affectionately shared with and
dedicated to Carol, my beautiful, loving wife of
fifty-five wonderful years. I owe every success to her
inspiration, understanding, patience, and encouragement.
To family and colleagues,
past-present-future, for their love, concern, and support
through all the years of my life. My cherished life in music
was not the result of any planning or ambition; it evolved
from a series of unpredictable events and incredibly generous
teachers, mentors, colleagues, friends, and family. Their
example, support, and guidance inspired every effort to
represent the personal and professional integrity so
important to developing and preserving our precious, and
too often fragile, art of music. May God bless each of you.
Harvey Phillips
contents
Foreword by David N. Baker ix Acknowledgments xi
1 Growing Up in Missouri 1 12
2 King Bros. Circus Band 17 13
3 Traveling with the Greatest Show on Earth 35 14
4 Juilliard, Studying with William J. Bell 65 15
5 Freelancing 101 86 16
6 Carol 106 17
7 Chamber Music, New York Brass Quintet 118 18
8 A New York Professional 134 19
9 On Tour with the New York Brass Quintet 166 20
10 Family, Friends, and Summer Activities 208
11 New England Conservatory of Music 233
12 The Search for TubaRanch 265
13 Institute for Advanced Musical Studies 292
14 Bassed in Bloomington 317
15 Carnegie Hall Recitals 352
16 Indiana University Retirement 380
17 Renaissance of the Tuba: A Summary 396
18 On Being a Teacher 412
19 Performance Tips 432
20 Coda 442
Friends and Colleagues 451 Appendix 459 Index 471
foreword
Harvey Phillips and I got to be really good friends
after our first meeting in 1959 on an LP recording of The Golden Striker:
The Music of John Lewis. Harvey asked me to write a piece for him. In 1967
Gunther Schuller was appointed president of the New England Conserva-
tory of Music and named Harvey his vice president for financial affairs.
Harvey and I met in Chicago at a National Association of Jazz Educators
reception. Harvey had commissioned me to write a piece for the tuba and
asked, “How is that piece coming along?”
I hadn’t started it, but I replied, “It’s coming along okay.”
Harvey asked, “What is it for?”
Well, there was a poster of a string quartet on the wall, so I said, “Tuba
and string quartet.” So, it became a piece for tuba and string quartet, and
Harvey premiered it at Carnegie Hall in a recital series and recorded it
for Golden Crest Records. I went with him to the recording session and
remarked at his unbelievable stamina. They started recording at nine in the
morning and went till seven or eight that evening. The string players were
worn out—their fingers were ready to bleed—but Harvey got strong at ev-
ery take. And when you listen to the recording, it’s breathtaking. The piece
ix
