This particular section is meant to be a little loosey-goosey, giving myself a place to write about various thoughts and opinions that get stuck in my head about tuba, performing, and music as a whole. Some may be about the forming of this website, others about a specific topic or just an event that I feel is worth talking about. Overall, this particular part of the website is more about creating a longstanding record rather than a short term product ..read more

Hello everyone and welcome to the new and improved TubaTalk! Over the next several months expect to see a lot of new and exciting content from solo lists to personal performance videos as well as the interviews that are the core of the website. Keep checking in to see if there is anything new to explore and if you would like to be featured in either The Learning Project or the Music Bank please contact us using the contact page of the site! Taylor "Bear" Hicks ..read more

Hello Everyone, It has been an incredibly long time since I posted anything, in this time I have finished my Master's and am starting on my Doctorate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory! It is my hope that in the next couple of weeks I can get all of the "Legacy Videos" posted that were done back during the initial attempt to start this site. Hopefully, by next month I will be ready to start doing more videos and including other new content such as personal recordings, commission information, composer interviews, and much more ..read more

Hey all, Day 1 ended with a fantastic concert by Sotto Voce and Boston Brass, two of the best chamber ensembles in the world. For me, like many tubists at ITEC Day 2 was play time! Tubas and Euphonium from Wessex, Miraphone, Eastman, B&S, and so many more. More Mouthpieces and accessories than you can shake a stick at, and music for all occasions. Presentations included tips on recording the tuba and a great presentation about Roger Bobo with the day closing with another light's out concert featuring Orchestra Iowa with soloist including David Saltzman and Steven Mead ..read more

,Hello all, Hope everyone that is reading this at ITEC is having as much fun as I am. An Amazing opening concert and a day of great presentations and recitals. Anyone that is considering going to an ITEC in the future should absolutely do so. I have also used my time working with some of the best tubist and teachers in the US and the World in order to begin adding some more great content to the site. Stay tuned for more updates and some new Tuba Talks! Taylor "Bear" Hicks ..read more

Less than 24 hours remain until the Opening Concert for the 2019 International Tuba Euphonium Conference! I cannot wait to see all the fantastic exhibits, presentations, and performances that are sure to be incredibly insightful. Every evening concert promises to be lights out, I hope to see everyone there! Taylor "Bear" Hicks ..read more

Hello all, I'm Taylor HIcks. I am currently a graduate student pursuing a Master of Music in Tuba Performance at Western Illinois University, also acting as the graduate assistant in charge of the Audio/Video Streaming Department for the School of Music. I previously received my Bachelor's in Music Education from the University of Northern Iowa, in the studio of Dr. Jesse Orth and Dr. Jeff Funderburk. While there, I discovered a passion for tuba performance and pedagogy that has brought me to where I am today.   I have a number of long term goals including advancing my own playing, pursuing ..read more

This all began as a back and forth conversation with my son Taylor.  Being the dreamer of the family, I immediately wanted to see some grand project that would become a one stop shop for interest in tuba and the tuba world.  I was met with a furrowed eyebrows.  My wife was first to act, being the pragmatic one of the family, she felt it was up to her to point out the number of hurdles, pitfalls and legalities of all these ideas.  Duly noted.  Taylor, not to be left out, was quick to note the amount of time and work involved.  Duly noted.  Obviously if you are reading this you realize that we h ..read more

Hey all, Day 1 ended with a fantastic concert by Sotto Voce and Boston Brass, two of the best chamber ensembles in the world. For me, like many tubists at ITEC Day 2 was play time! Tubas and Euphonium from Wessex, Miraphone, Eastman, B&S, and so many more. More Mouthpieces and accessories than you can shake a stick at, and music for all occasions. Presentations included tips on recording the tuba and a great presentation about Roger Bobo with the day closing with another light's out concert featuring Orchestra Iowa with soloist including David Saltzman and Steven Mead ..read more

,Hello all, Hope everyone that is reading this at ITEC is having as much fun as I am. An Amazing opening concert and a day of great presentations and recitals. Anyone that is considering going to an ITEC in the future should absolutely do so. I have also used my time working with some of the best tubist and teachers in the US and the World in order to begin adding some more great content to the site. Stay tuned for more updates and some new Tuba Talks! Taylor "Bear" Hicks ..read more