Dave Dobson playing the Harvard tuba in 1991

Описание: [Permissions are noted at the end of this description.] This video provides a rare opportunity to hear a Harvard undergraduate play one of the largest tubas in the world, known as the Harvard tuba, which was built by Besson in 1891, or possibly a few years earlier (research clarifying its history is currently being done).

The recording features Dave Dobson at the Commencement Concert held by the Harvard Band in 1991, which was the year Dave graduated. He was granted the honor to play this prized-possession of the Harvard Band by then director Tom Everett. Dave had been the only tubist for the Wind Ensemble for his four years at Harvard.

As Dave shared with me, the horn was very awkward to play, especially given the poor condition it was in at the time (it is currently being restored by Dillon Music, NJ). Aside from requiring a lot of air, the piston valves are huge, and cause the fingers to get tired fast. Further, the horn buzzes a lot while being played, which is why the other two people in the photo are hugging the bell - to absorb the buzzing as much as possible (at other times, oven mitts were used to help accomplish this!). Finally, normal fingerings for a Bb tuba didn't work, so Dave was required to experiment until he found the best possible fingerings in order to play in tune - or close to in tune!

The piece Dave is playing, which is accompanied by the Harvard Band, is "Asleep in the Deep."

Permission to post both the audio and the first and last two photos was given by Dave Dobson on June 15, 2019. Permission to post the audio was also given by the Harvard Band. Photo credits: For the first one, Nadia Sangster; for the last two, Dan Hurwitz, and Doug Briody; for all those in between, myself and Steve Dillon.