Jacobs School Will Host Annual Octubafest Series

The music school at Indiana University celebrates the tuba with six concerts scheduled throughout the month of October.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Jazz

Jacobs School Will Host Annual Octubafest Series

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The Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington will host its annual Octubafest concert series throughout October 2026. This long-running festival honors the history of the tuba through a variety of solo, guest, and student performances.

Why it matters

The festival provides essential public performance experience for music students while celebrating the legacy of the tuba. It serves as a cornerstone event for the department, continuing a tradition that began on campus over five decades ago.

The festival, which features six concerts, was established in 1973 at Indiana University. It serves as a showcase for students who each perform at least one piece during the multi-day event.

The players

Harvey Phillips

He was a renowned tubist and educator who founded Octubafest and taught at the Jacobs School of Music until 1994.

Jacobs School of Music

This prestigious conservatory at Indiana University hosts the festival and trains elite classical musicians.

Matt Hightower

He is a professional musician scheduled to perform a solo recital as part of the festival programming.

Øystein Baadsvik

He is a globally recognized tuba soloist who will appear as a guest performer at the university.

The details

Founded by Harvey Phillips, who served on the Jacobs faculty from 1971 to 1994, the festival features a mix of high-profile guest artists and local talent. Participants perform across three or four recitals designed to highlight the instrument's versatility.

Octubafest first began at Indiana University in 1973.
Harvey Phillips held his faculty position from 1971 until 1994.
Matt Hightower performs a solo recital on October 15, 2026.
Øystein Baadsvik performs a guest recital on October 16, 2026.
Student recitals are scheduled for October 19, 20, 21, and 25, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

The 2026 series continues a long-standing tradition of university-led instrument-specific festivals. This event model contrasts with the commercialization of modern music festivals by focusing on academic training and the preservation of specific musical legacies.

The public can attend these performances at the Jacobs School of Music, including the guest recital at Ford-Crawford Hall. Ticket availability for these recitals typically allows the community to engage directly with world-class tuba soloists and rising student talent.

The takeaway

Octubafest remains a vital opportunity for music enthusiasts to witness both professional masters and developing students in an intimate setting. Attendees are encouraged to review the full concert schedule to ensure they do not miss performances by guest artists.