BYU Hosted Annual OcTUBAfest Music Festival
The music department featured tuba and euphonium performances in a festival held earlier than in past years.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Classical
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BYU hosted the OcTUBAfest music festival this October, showcasing performances by the school of music brass division. Musicians performed a variety of pieces, including Springtime for Elephant and Bohemian Rhapsody.
Why it matters
The festival was scheduled earlier in the school year than usual, requiring the ensemble to increase the intensity of their individual practice sessions. This shift in timing reflects the department's effort to accommodate the academic calendar.
The ensemble featured three euphonium players, including Emersynne Jones, who has played the instrument for 4 years. The musicians successfully performed complex pieces like Bohemian Rhapsody during the event.
The players
Dan Bryce
He directed the BYU brass ensemble and performed on the tuba during the OcTUBAfest festival.
Emersynne Jones
She is a euphonium player who has been practicing the instrument for 4 years.
BYU
Brigham Young University is a private research university that hosted the festival at its Provo campus.
The details
Directed by Dan Bryce, who also performed on the tuba, the ensemble prepared for the festival through intensive individual practice in dedicated rooms. The group successfully managed the accelerated schedule to deliver their performances on time.
Timeline
OcTUBAfest took place during October 2026.
The ensemble is scheduled to perform again on October 16, 2026, at 7:30 P.M.
Industry Dynamics
The festival is a long-standing tradition at the university that highlights the niche technical skills required for tuba and euphonium performance. By shifting the schedule, the department continues to balance traditional musical education with the modern demands of the academic calendar.
Community members and students can attend the upcoming follow-up performance at the BYU Music Building. This allows those who missed the initial festival to hear the ensemble's repertoire in a live setting.
The takeaway
Students can benefit from the disciplined approach used by the ensemble, which involves intensive individual practice sessions. Consistent rehearsal is essential for mastering complex musical arrangements like Bohemian Rhapsody.
What happens next
The ensemble will perform again on October 16, 2026, at 7:30 P.M. at the BYU Music Building.
Further reading
For more information on local performances, visit the Classical section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by BYU Daily Universe.
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