Solomon Hightower performs in his senior tuba recital

A huge audience swept into the Blankenship Recital Hall to witness the senior recital of tuba player Solomon Hightower on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024.

Hightower started his recital by performing several traditional tuba pieces with piano accompaniment courtesy of Dr. Chan Mi Jean. The arrangements included Concerto for Tuba (1997) by James Barnes, Serenade/Ständchen D. 889 (1826) by Franz Schubert and Earnest Wish (2018) by Michiru Ōshima, all of which exhibited Hightower’s gifted range and tonal quality as a tuba player.

The performance continued with a unique piece titled Six Pack (2007) by James N. Meador, which was divided into five different sections titled “I. Blowing Off Steam,” “II. Discotheque,” “III. Melancholy,” “IV. Angry” and “V. Inebriated.” Between each segment, Hightower drank a beverage and comedically related the piece to the current college football season, of which the audience would respond accordingly with laughter. Hightower continued to finish the recital with an outstanding piece called Watchers of the Night (2021) by Brian Sadler, accompanied by his good friend Zachary Cates on the trombone.

As a final statement, Hightower said “The first few people I want to thank are my mom, my dad…and all of my family that’s been…so supportive…There is no way I would have been able to do this without their support.” He continued to thank his friends and the UT Martin Music faculty and staff for all of the help and support they had provided him.

Solomon Hightower studies tuba under assistant professor Gregory McCracken. Once Hightower graduates with his Bachelor’s Degree, he plans to teach music in public schools, then return to college to get his Master’s Degree so he can become an associate director of bands.