Oktubafest III

The third edition of Oktubafest at the International Music Camp was held October 3-5, 2014 at the beautiful International Peace Garden on the Manitoba/North Dakota border. There were approximately 50 tuba and euphonium players in attendance, ranging from high school age through adults. Organizers were pleased that the enrollment nearly doubled from Oktubafest II just a year earlier. Dr. Joseph Skillen from Baton Rouge, LA was the guest artist for the weekend.

The weekend focused on performance, but music making and learning together were the key components of Oktubafest. The camaraderie between low brass players made this a unique event, and the social aspect of sharing stories and German food made this a very successful event. Former IMC Camp Director Tim Wollenzien and University of North Dakota Low Brass Professor Joel Pugh coordinated the event with members of the International Tuba Quartet and the IMC Camp Directors Christine and Tim Baumann.

Joe Skillen performed a recital Friday evening to open the weekend, and his program included Concert Piece for Tuba and Piano by Libby Larsen, Reflections on the Mississippi by Michael Daugherty, and Diversive Elements by David Gillingham, a duet with euphoniumist Joel Pugh. A tuba quartet from University of North Dakota was also on the program. Skillen collaborated on the recital with Keith Teepen, a pianist on the UND faculty.

Master classes and repertoire sessions for tuba and euphonium players took place on Saturday, led by Skillen, Pugh and Devin Otto. A Massed Tuba-Euphonium Choir allowed all musicians to play together and to enjoy the wondrous sounds of an ensemble of 50 within the pristine acoustics of the Burdick Center for the Performing Arts. Low brass repair specialist David Johnson of Fargo, ND presented a repair session and set up a “triage” booth during the weekend. Many participants had specific questions on maintenance for Johnson.

The Massed Tuba-Euphonium Choir performed in concert on Saturday evening, October 4, as well as more music by tubist Joe Skillen. The International Tuba Quartet presented several numbers on the program, including the world premiere of a commissioned composition by Thomas Zugger. Zugger’s Three Portraits was created especially for Oktubafest 2014 in memory of long-time IMC euphonium instructor Harold Brasch. Composer Zugger is on the faculty of Capital University in Columbus, OH, and he made the trip to Oktubafest with his family for the premiere. The International Tuba Quartet is a group of 4 artist teachers who formed the ensemble while serving on the International Music Camp staff, and who reunited to perform and lead Oktubafest. Members are tubists Devin Otto and Karl Ortman, and euphoniumists Pugh and Wollenzien.

Following each evening’s concerts, participants, and artists gathered at the International Peace Garden Interpretive Center where they enjoyed “after hours” music making, German food and other refreshments. Lodging was held on the campus of the International Music Camp, a summer school of fine arts, which has served middle school, high school and adult musicians and artists annually since 1956. The camp is located within the International Peace Garden, situated directly on the international border between Manitoba and North Dakota. The unique location is a draw for thousands of artists and tourists each summer.

The Oktubafest weekend event concluded on Sunday, October 5 with a special Tuba Sunday Morning worship service, and a reading of favorite TubaChristmas tunes in the afternoon.

Plans are in place for Oktubafest IV, to be held September 25-27, 2015. Watch the website http://www.internationalmusiccamp.com for more information as the year progresses.