Brass Day
Experience an inspiring workshop designed for high school and collegiate musicians, hosted by the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music. Highlights include captivating performances by our renowned brass faculty, faculty-led warm-up sessions tailored to each instrument, and a masterclass and recital by our esteemed guest artist, international tuba soloist Thomas Leleu from Marseille, France. The day culminates in a full brass-ensemble rehearsal and performance featuring all Brass Day participants alongside UT Knoxville brass students. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to learn, perform, and connect!
When: February 15, 2025. Plan to spend between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the event, and exact times will be emailed to participants as the event draws nearer.
Where: UT Natalie L. Haslam College of Music, 1741 Volunteer Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37916. You can park in the parking lot directly behind the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center on Saturdays. Meet us in the main lobby of the music building! CLICK HERE for an interactive map of the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center and visitor parking lots.
Why: Because we will make you better! Hearing our guest artist play, receiving instruction from UT Faculty, and participating in music making at a high level is sure to enhance your playing and knowledge of your instrument. Also, registration is free and lunch is included!
Guest Artist: Thomas Leleu
“One of the greatest tuba players in the world.” – France Bleu
A graduate with First Prize in Tuba from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique (CNSM) in Paris and a laureate of international competitions in Germany, South Korea, and Luxembourg, Thomas Leleu was appointed Principal Tuba of the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Marseille Opera at just 19 years old. In 2018, he was invited to Berlin by Rolando Villazón and featured on ZDF/Arte’s Stars von Morgen (Stars of Tomorrow). In 2019, he received three nominations at Germany’s prestigious Opus Klassik awards.
Thomas has performed as a soloist in over 40 countries, gracing renowned stages and festivals such as Jazz à Vienne, the Berlin Konzerthaus, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival (Germany), Marseille Jazz des Cinq Continents, Aix-en-Provence Easter Festival, Kissinger Sommer (Germany), Mito Settembre Musica (Italy), La Folle Journée, Radio France Occitanie Montpellier Festival, Brucknerhaus in Linz (Austria), Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, Les Flâneries Musicales de Reims, Esplanade Concert Hall (Singapore), and Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, among others. He has also performed with prestigious ensembles, including the Orchestre National d’Île-de-France, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Cologne Chamber Orchestra, Junge Sinfonie Berlin, and many more.
Since 2011, Thomas has founded several groundbreaking ensembles featuring the tuba: Thomas Leleu Sextet (tuba and string quintet), tubaVScello (tuba and cello), TL Trio (tuba, vibraphone, and piano), Born to Groove/OUTSIDER (jazz, pop, and world music), and Leleu Brothers (tuba and trumpet).
He has collaborated with distinguished artists such as Richard Galliano, Vladimir Cosma, Claude Bolling, Jean-François Zygel, the Arod Quartet, Romain Leleu (his brother), Airelle Besson, Guillaume Vincent, Adrien La Marca, Christoph Poppen, and many more.
Thomas’s discography includes In the Mood for Tuba (2015), Impressions for Tuba (2017), and Stories… (2019). With the release of Born to Groove (2021), which features his original jazz/pop compositions, he ventured further into new musical landscapes. In 2024, he launched his own label, TUBA FRENCH TOUCH, and released the album OUTSIDER.
A sought-after pedagogue, Thomas has led masterclasses at esteemed institutions such as Juilliard School (New York), Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler (Berlin), Eastman School of Music (Rochester), Indiana University (Bloomington), Tokyo Music College, Carnegie Mellon University (USA), CNSM de Paris, New England Conservatory (Boston), and Korea National University of Arts, among others.
Thomas Leleu continues to redefine the possibilities of the tuba, captivating audiences worldwide with his artistry and innovation.
Brass Faculty
Alexander Lapins
Associate Professor of Tuba/Euphonium; Area Coordinator of Brass
Schedule
| Time | Event |
| 9:00 a.m. | Check-In, Natalie L. Haslam Music Center (HMC) Atrium |
| 9:45 a.m. | Introduction and Faculty Performances, HMC Powell Recital Hall |
| 10:30 a.m. | Instrument Specific Warm-Up ○ Trumpets, HMC 12 ○ Trombones, HMC 68 ○ French Horns, HMC 25 ○ Tubas and Euphoniums, HMC 135 (Band Room) |
| 11:30 a.m. | Guest Masterclass, HMC Powell Recital Hall |
| 1:00 p.m. | Free Lunch provided, HMC 135 (Band Room) |
| 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. (with 10-minute break) | All brass rehearsal, HMC 135 (Band Room) |
| 3:45 p.m. | Guest Recital/Final Event, HMC Powell Recital Hall |
| 4:45 p.m. | Choirs and all students brass ensemble performance, HMC 135 (Band Room) |