Sixteen years ago, MSU College of Music alumnus Ed Mallett organized a live music series for the fall, thinking it would be a one-time deal. But when people had so much fun, Mallett did it again, growing Tuba Bach Chamber Music Festival into a perennial year-round favorite through a new partnership with his alma mater. 

Since 2006, Tuba Bach has brought a cornucopia of world-class concerts, educational programs, and community outreach events to Big Rapids, Michigan. Mallett, a professional euphonium and tuba player, came up with the idea for a festival while preparing to record the six Bach Cello Suites on tuba. He decided to organize six concerts over six weeks from September through October, each opening with his performance of a Bach Cello Suite followed by featured acts. Over time, he attracted more award-winning artists and ensembles, and added occasional concerts throughout the seasons.

“I have people come in from all over the world and hang out on stage and play,” said Mallett. “We’ve gotten some really cool people to perform here. I’d say well over 100 have been MSU faculty, students or alumni. It’s simply a lot of fun.”

This year, Mallett leveraged his MSU ties and expanded the scope to add once-a-week concerts from November through late spring. Each Tuba Bach Presents concert will showcase MSU faculty, students or alumni, from soloists to ensembles, in a variety of instruments and musical styles. MSU musicians will take part in community outreach programs at nursing homes, schools and other venues. 

“It’s an adjustment, but it’s a good one,” Mallett said. “I’d been wondering how I could keep Tuba Bach going for another 16 years or more. With this expansion, now I’m saying ‘Yeah. Absolutely. We can.’”
 

Euphonious joy

Mallett grew up in Big Rapids and attended MSU to earn his master’s (’93) and doctorate (’96) in euphonium performance. Professor of Tuba and Euphonium Phil Sinder was his major professor, and has been among the signature Tuba Bach performers each year. 

Sinder said the new Tuba Bach Presents partnership will retain the fun, eclectic flair of the original festival, while adding concerts year-round. All performances take place in an area church or community setting, adding to the intimate and accessible tone. 

“It’s a homerun,” Sinder said. “As musicians, we all put in so many hours in practice and rehearsals. This expansion of Tuba Bach provides additional opportunities to perform in public to an eager and receptive audience. It’s a great way to gain perspective, confidence, and experience, particularly for our students.”

Tuba performance major Ben McWilliams is helping coordinate festival logistics and upcoming concerts in the new partnership. He said Tuba Bach never fails to deliver high-level musicianship while maintaining a personal connection with the audience. 

“We’re mixing in some really fun events and also meeting the audience demand for classical music, too,” he said. “The concerts following the festival are being set up to feature different studios at MSU. You’ll see brass and percussion and strings and piano, for instance. It’s a great venue for students and gives them a chance to perform for people aside from their peers and professors.”

Anna Khalikova performed at Tuba Bach in Spring 2021, and may book an additional gig come 2022. The doctoral student in violin performance said she welcomes the opportunity to perform in Tuba Bach concerts, and that the eclectic range of musical selections have helped her become a more versatile musician.

“I get to collaborate with great musicians and the overall group is warm and friendly,” said Khalikova. “It’s so enjoyable to be there. It’s just the pure joy of making music.”
 

Stretching imaginations

Mallett said his goal has always been to stretch the imaginations of audiences and established definitions of chamber music by presenting a broad range of genres. This year’s bill featured blue grass, classical, New Orleans style jazz, Broadway favorites, and progressive rock—a musical style that shaped Mallett’s trajectory.

“I didn’t go to college straight out of high school,” admits Mallett. “I was going to be a rock star.”

Mallett went on the road for a couple years. He sang and played keyboards. Progressive rock, he said, was where it was at, and especially, the band Kansas. While he didn’t become a rock star, he had a good time, and later passed along the love for the style of music to his two kids.

A few years ago, Mallett’s son Noah rewrote a few Kansas pieces as quartets and gave the scores to his dad at Christmas. That gift got Mallett envisioning a concert featuring Kansas tunes at the 2021 Tuba Bach festival.

“We looked at the arrangements, and said ‘why not?’” Mallett said. “Noah will do drums. MSU College of Music alum Oleg Bezuglov will play electric violin. Phil will be in a tuba quartet with others from MSU. And me, I’ll sit behind a keyboard and sing again, just like years ago.”

Professor of Jazz Trombone Michael Dease will be joining the star-studded low-brass quartet in the “Music of Kansas” concert come October. He’ll be bringing his saxophones as well as a few surprise instruments to add to the texture and energy. 

“Kansas, as well as the entire Progressive Rock genre, are examples of musical fusion at its finest,” he said. “My collaborators and I are looking forward to mining the possibilities of their big hits, as well as their lesser-known songs. Noah’s arrangements are all flexible, which is one of the fun parts of having a band of versatile musicians. We’ll be able to tinker and tailor each selection to get the sounds we are searching for.”

To find out more about attending or Livestreaming the 2021 Tuba Bach Festival and upcoming concerts in the new MSU-Tuba Bach Presents partnership, visit tubabach.org. All events are free thanks to the generous support of donors and sponsors including Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, West Michigan Piano, and Immanuel Lutheran Church.