SRU to host second annual Roger Bobo “Festival of Brass” summer camp

Roger Bobo will act as teacher and conductor at his second annual “Roger Bobo Festival of Brass” summer camp June 25-29 at Slippery Rock University.

June 23, 2017

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - For more than 50 years, Roger Bobo helped to bring some of the most recognizable sounds to music lovers and film buffs around the world.

Whether it was as a principal tubist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic; a frequent performer for the "Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson; or as a soundtrack musician for "Star Wars: Episode IV - Return of the Jedi," "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," Bobo has had a hand in shaping music history.

Bobo will look to continue that trend as a teacher and conductor at his second annual "Roger Bobo Festival of Brass" summer camp June 25-29 at Slippery Rock University.

Open to high school, college and professional brass professionals, the camp will allow participants the opportunity to learn from and work with Bobo collectively and via one-on-one master classes, recitals and lectures.

"Roger has really been the leader of brass musicianship and teaching for decades," said Jonathan Helmick, assistant professor music and director of bands at SRU. "This event is really a chance for attendees to learn from one of the greatest brass players who has ever lived."

Helmick, who will serve as a camp coordinator, said that the week's activities will include a Q&A session and private lessons with Bobo, a low brass ensemble and recitals conducted by faculty members from various Pennsylvania-based universities, including:
-Velvet Brown, professor of music at Penn State University, 4:15 p.m., June 25.
-Richard Perry, associate professor of tuba and euphonium at the University of Southern Mississippi, 7:30 p.m., June 26.
-Tom Lukowicz, instructor of tuba and euphonium at Wright State University and Sebastian Vera, instructor of music and trombone at SRU, 7:30 p.m., June 27.
-Tucker Jolly, professor of tuba and euphonium at the University of Akron and Philip VanOuse, instructor of music and tuba at SRU, 7:30 p.m., June 28.
-Bobo Festival of Brass Gala Concert student and staff ensembles, 2:30 p.m., June 29.

All performances will be at SRU's Swope Music Hall.

Recitals are open to the public with tickets priced at $5 per concert or $20 for a weeklong pass.

"Every one of these musicians is absolutely phenomenal," remarked Helmick. "They'll be playing everything from classical pieces to jazz, which is really quite unique for a low brass performance."

Bobo will conduct the June 29 Brass Gala Concert. Then, shortly after the close of the SRU camp, he will take his "Festival of Brass" on the road to the University of Windsor in Ontario and to Italy.

Following his global run, Bobo, who resides in Tokyo, Japan, will return to his post at the Musashino Academy of Music.

"He is a very busy man," Helmick said with a laugh, "but his name carries a lot of weight. Getting my students to meet him has always been a major goal of mine."

With approximately 18 students registered for the camp, hailing not only from SRU but also the state of Michigan, Helmick's dreams have become reality.

"For every camp that Roger has been to, a sort of brotherhood and sisterhood has formed," he said. "Attendees leave not only as a musician who has just blossomed under Roger's instruction, but you also leave with a family."

For additional information, contact Helmick at 724.738.2436 or jonathan.helmick@sru.edu .

MEDIA CONTACT: Maizee Zaccone | 724.738.2091 | mxz1016@sru.edu