Stratton and Easley give UTM Tuba Recital

The UTM Music Department Tuba Recital was held in Watkins Auditorium on March 12 at 7:30 p.m.

The recital featured Matthew C. Stratton playing tuba and Delana Easley playing piano.

Stratton and Easley started the night off with “Sonata No. 4” by Michael Blavet.  “Sonata No. 4”included five separate movements.

Following “Sonata No. 4,” Stratton and Easley performed “Sonata No. 2 for Tuba and Piano.”  “Sonata No. 2 for Tuba and Piano” featured five different movements written by Alec Wilder. Following this section of the performance, there was a short intermission.

After the intermission portion of the recital, Stratton returned to the stage by himself.  He performed a four-part work, “Music for Solo Tuba,” by Walter Hartley that was written in 1973. 

Easley rejoined Stratton following his solo performance for “Sultry and Eccentric” written by James Grant.  Sultry is Stratton’s favorite piece.

"James Grant, he was watching on the web stream tonight, and he sent me a nice letter today. I dedicate that one to my wife.  So, most of the time I’m crying when it’s done.  Not because I’m upset, but because I’m just in the moment and it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard written for the horn,” Stratton said.

The final piece for the night was Anthony Plog’s “Three Miniatures.”  “Three Miniatures” featured three different movements.

The recital was a tribute to Stratton’s mentors.

“I wanted to have a recital in tribute to my mentors on the instrument: Harvey Phillips, C. Rudolph Emilson and Daniel Perantoni. All three of those men showed me what it meant to be a musician and that my instrument could have a voice, and they are some of the best in the world at what they do.  I’ve been very fortunate to study with them, and I thought my first recital on the faculty should be in tribute to them,” Stratton said.

Stratton was happy to see members of the community and the music department, as well as his friends, colleagues and students.  

“It was a big crowd!  They were enthusiastic.  It was really nice,” Stratton said after his performance.

When speaking of his performance, Stratton said that it’s about teaching others about his instrument.

“There’s always things that can go better, but I think that I made a musical statement, and I showed the audience that the tuba can do more than maybe they thought it could before they came in and that’s all I ever aim for. If they liked what it sounded like and they got some music out of it and they want to come hear another one, then I’ve done my job,” Stratton said.

Stratton and Easley began regularly practicing for the recital a little more than a month ago.

Stratton is in his third year with the UTM Music Department and also serves as the Director of Marching and Athletic Bands.

Easley is the Collaborative Pianist for the UTM Department of Music.