If you are interested in auditioning to become a member of the University of Iowa Tuba/Euphonium Studio, you will have to apply to the University of Iowa as well as the Voxman School of Music and schedule an audition. It is encouraged that you contact Professor Manning in advance to schedule a complimentary lesson, visit the campus, take a tour of the Voxman Musici Building and meet some of the students in the studio.
Undergraduate applicants should prepare at least one solo and/or etude and schedule a live audition with Professor Manning. No scales are required for auditions, but applicants should be prepared to play a short sight-reading example.
All undergraduate applicants must do the following:
Plan on visiting the University of Iowa School of Music for a live audition between September and March.
TBA (February 2026)
Submission deadline: All undergraduate applications must be submitted by Feb. 1, 2025
Solos:
Vaughan Williams - Concerto for Bass Tuba
Hindemith - Sonata for Tuba and Piano
Gregson - Tuba Concerto
Bach/Bell - Air and Bouree
Hartley - Unaccompanied Tuba Sonata
Persichetti - Serenade No. 12
Barat - Introduction and Dance
Lebedev - Concerto in One Movement
Haddad - Suite for Tuba
Nelhybel - Suite for Tuba
Vaughan Williams - Six Studies in English Folksong
Etudes:
Bordogni/Rochut - Bel Canto Etudes
Blazevich - 70 Studies
Kopprasch - 60 Selected Studies
Solos:
Haddad - Suite
Marcello - Sonata
Vaughan Williams - Six Studies in English Folk Song
Capuzzi - Andante and Rondo
Jacob - Fantasia
Horovitz - Euphonium Concerto
Clarke - Bride of the Waves
White - Lyric Suite
Barat - Introduction and Dance
Guilmant - Morceau Symphonique
Etudes:
Arban - Characteristic Studies
Rochut - Melodious etudes
Voxman - Selected Studies
Graduate students must apply to the Graduate College and arrange an audition for the brass faculty with Professor Manning. For detailed information about how to apply, visit the School of Music Graduate Admissions page.
TBA (February 2026)
Submission deadline: All graduate applications must be submitted by Dec. 1, 2024
Graduate applicants are expected to prepare at least two major solos from the standard repertoire, as well as at least 5 orchestral (tuba) or band (euphonium) excerpts. For music recommendations, please refer to the appropriate list of suggested audition literature below.
Solos:
Vaughan Williams - Concerto for Bass Tuba
Hindemith - Sonata for Tuba and Piano
Plog - Three Miniatures
Penderecki - Capriccio
Broughton - Sonata
John Williams - Tuba Concerto
Edward Gregson - Tuba Concerto
Orchestral Excerpts:
Berlioz - Hungarian March
Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique
Brahms - Symphony No. 2
Bruckner - Symphony No. 7
Prokofiev - Symphony No. 5
Stravinsky - Pertroushka
Strauss - Til Euelenspiegel
Respighi - Fountains of Rome
Wagner - Ride of the Walkyries
Wagner - Overture to Die Meistersinger
Solos:
Cosma - Euphonium Concerto
Gillingham - Blue Lake Fantasies
Sparke - Pantomime
Horovitz - Euphonium Concerto
Curnow - Symphonic Variants
Jacob - Fantasia
Band and Orchestral Excerpts:
Mussorgsy - Bydlo from Pictures
Holst - The Planets; Mars and Jupiter
Mahler - Symphony No. 7
Strauss - Don Quixote
Strauss - Ein Heldenleben
Holst - Military Suites
Sousa - Stars and Stripes Forever
Grainger - Lincolnshire Posy
Grainger - Irish Tune from County Derry
Schönberg – Theme and Variations
Q: How do I get into the University of Iowa Tuba-Euphonium Studio?
A: Interested students must apply to the School of Music and the University of Iowa online, schedule and take an audition, and it is highly recommended that you visit the campus. Once accepted by the University academically, prospective students must successfully audition for and be accepted into the studio by Professor Manning.
Q: What should I play for my audition?
A: Generally, the solo or etudes you may have prepared for all-state will do. For a list of suggested audition literature, see the information above. My best advice is don't try to learn something new or flashy just before your audition. You want to put your best foot forward. It is more important HOW you play than WHAT you play.
Q: What else should I expect at the audition?
A: Besides playing your audition music, expect to do some sight-reading, and plan on stay for a few minutes to speak with Professor Manning. Please dress nicely, arrive early and warmed up, and contact him if you have any questions.
Q: What is involved with being a member of the University of Iowa Tuba Euphonium Studio?
A. All members of the studio receive a weekly lesson with Professor Manning. In addition, the entire studio participates in a studio class each Thursday at 12:00 pm. All members of the studio participate in Collegium Tubum, the University of Iowa tuba euphonium ensemble, which rehearses each Tuesday at 12:00pm and performs several times throughout the semester. In addition to weekly lessons with Professor Manning, each undergraduate member of the studio will receive two additional "supplementary lessons" from the Graduate Teaching Assistant. Students also perform each semester in studio recitals, generally scheduled each October and April.
Q: What are the performance opportunities available to tuba and euphonium students at the University of Iowa?
A: Members of the studio are assigned by Professor Manning to the Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra as needed. The Symphony Band and Concert Band are open to all students, regardless of major, by audition only. Please contact your respective ensemble director for more information. The University Band is designed specifically for non-music major students, and no auditions are required for membership. No auditions are required for Iowa Pep Band. For information about auditioning for the Hawkeye Marching Band, click here.
Q: What are lessons like?
A: Lessons are held each week at Professor Manning's office and are 50 minutes long. Each student receives 15 lessons per semester. Lesson times requests are collected and lesson times are confirmed by the first week of the semester. Due to Professor Manning's travel schedule, or in the case of a student illness, makeup lessons will be scheduled. Each week, Professor Manning assigns material to be prepared for the next lesson, writing it in the student's lesson notebook. Assignments typically include two etudes and parts of a solo the student is preparing, and may also include the study of band or orchestral excerpts, proficiency preparation, sight reading and duets.
Professor Manning's office is located on the 5th floor of the Voxman Music Building (VOX 5406). His office phone number is (319) 335-1656. The Voxman Music Building is located at 93 E. Burlington Street in downtown Iowa City, Iowa. Off of Interstate 80, take exit 246 and head South on Iowa Route 1 South. Take a right onto Burlington St and drive to the intersection of Clinton St. There are several parking ramps, as well as street parking in the area.