IRISH TUBA SOLO 'Tis the Last Rose of Summer by Drew Fennell for St. Patrick's Day. PLAY ALONG!

Performance notes:

Many a young brass player first learned this old Irish tune in the “Art of Phrasing” section of the “Arban’s Book,” but the song is much older, and only became associate with the poem by Thomas Moore in the 19th Century. Despite the disparity in age, the two seem to be made for each other.
The greatest challenge with the melody is keeping the phrasing smooth, and the feeling sentimental, and nostalgic, even as there are some larger interval jumps and square rhythms (dotted-8th-16th). The various ornaments should generally be executed without too much “lilt” or emphasis, however the appassionato section of the piece allows for a moderately exulted feeling to come through, and thus the ornaments may tend to naturally bounce a little bit more. The ensemble is routinely marked two dynamic degrees lower than the soloist. That may be too drastic a difference in practice, however, it is important to always hear the solo line as the primary line, and perhaps only at one place—bars 57 and 58—might the accompaniment lines reach up to match. To avoid any hint of stridence, forte markings were avoided. In place is ”pocof.” This is to underscore the importance of never crossing the line into a brassy, overbearing timbre. A feeling of sad affection should pervade always.

Below is the instrumentation for Brass Septet Version:

Solo Cornet, Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Trombone, Euphonium, Baritone (parts available in various keys and clefs)
Cornet 1 in Bb (opt. Trumpet/Cornet/Trumpet in Eb or C/Flugelhorn) Cornet 2 in Bb (opt. Trumpet/ Cornet/Trumpet in C/Flugelhorn)
Flugelhorn 2 in Bb (opt. Cornet/Trumpet/Trumpet in C/Horn)
Horn in F (opt. Flugelhorn in Bb/Horn in Eb/Trombone/Bari./Euph.) Trombone 1 (opt. Horn in F or Eb/Baritone/Euphonium)
Trombone 2 (opt. Baritone/Euphonium)
Trombone 3 (opt. Baritone/Euphonium)
Tuba (opt. Bass Trombone/Tuba in Eb or Bb)

Below is the instrumentation for Piano Version:

D-flat Version
Solo Cornet (opt. Trumpet) in Eb
Solo Cornet (opt. Trumpet) in C
Solo Cornet in Bb (opt. Flugelhorn/Trumpet)
Trombone or Euphonium B.C. (opt. Baritone)
Euphonium T.C. (opt. Baritone)

G-flat Version
Solo Cornet in Eb (opt. Trumpet)
Solo Horn in F
Solo Horn in Eb
Solo Tuba (B.C.) (opt. Bass Trombone)
Solo Tuba in Eb
Solo Tuba in Bb

Musicians:

Brian Kelley (Tuba at RCB)
Instrument Used:

Birute Stundziaite (Piano)

Dmitry Babkin (Sound Engineer)

0:00 - 'Tis the Last Rose of Summer (Tuba Solo with Piano in Gb Major)
3:40 - Sheet Music Download
4:40 - Instrument We Use
5:15 - Thank You

[roykilgore]

Brian, that is absolutely beautiful!!!
Thank you for sharing it. I hope you realize that you have a great God give ability and skills. God bless you as you continue to hone your ability to play beautiful music 😔🙏❤️
Roy Kilgore, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

[lotsabirds]

This was beautiful! You sang it with a tuba! That's meant as the highest compliment! Wonderful!

[sandramrotek]

He is so, so good and this is a nice song to listen to at the end of the day. Happy St Patrick's day to all of you and thanks for the so gd this week.

[dominicneureiter]

@themusicofdrewfennell now you have another amazing version of this piece. Great Job Brian!

[philliprobertson]

I want to know how he's playing the higher register ive always had a bit of trouble playing that high...he plays beautifully

[ivanhouston]

I wonder what the difference is between the JP278 and JP378 tubas is? The specs I see online are similar. I suspect the JP378 is heavier.

[miltonderezende]

Maybe it's a problem in my video but it looks like the piano is on one key and the tuba is on another.