A wave of deep brass tones echoed through the Shigemi Matsumoto Recital Hall on Saturday, Oct. 26, as Dr. P. Blake Cooper lifted his tuba and kicked off this year’s OcTUBAfest. The annual celebration of low brass blended artistry, education and community under one resonant sound.

The faculty recital, hosted by CSUN’s Department of Music, featured Cooper alongside pianist Katie Eames and trombonist Dillon MacIntyre. Together, they performed a dynamic mix of works by Szentpáli, Redden, Koetsier, Meador, Nickens and Nishimura, taking the audience through a wide range of moods and styles.

Cooper, principal tuba for the New West Symphony, said preparation goes beyond practice. He described the program as a “blues sandwich,” opening with a blues, closing with a Latin-inspired blues and including contrasting pieces in between.

“The audience needs to come first. I want to have fun, but it has to be pleasing to them,” he said.

He structured the recital as a musical journey, alternating between the larger C tuba and the more agile F tuba, using each instrument’s strengths to create contrast and texture. He said he wanted to feature the C tuba in some pieces and the F tuba in others, making the performance both bold and nimble.

One of the standout moments came at the end of the program with Honk, a recently commissioned piece that made its California premiere during the concert. Cooper said the work was created to expand tuba literature for the larger C tuba and to spotlight diverse, living composers.

Cooper performed alongside trombonist and longtime friend Dillon MacIntyre. He noted that these concerts allow faculty to not just teach but to also demonstrate their craft. Students have the chance to see how professional musicians work together on stage, while the audience can experience the details and emotion of the performance up close.

“Most of the time, we’re teaching lessons telling students what to do,” he said. “Today was about showing and demonstrating.”

Cooper added that most of the general public does not fully realize what these instruments can do in the hands of a professional.

“I’m trying to rip that shadow away and put some light on the instrument in a really positive way,” he said.

Behind the scenes, Justin Page, a student technician working through CSUN’s work-study program, made sure everything ran smoothly, from setting up the lights to closing the doors after the show.

Page said faculty recitals like OcTUBAfest not only highlight professor talent but also inspire future musicians.

“A lot of local high school students come to watch. It gets them excited about coming to CSUN,” he said, explaining that he hopes attendees leave with a greater appreciation for the instrument and its possibilities.

Among the audience members was local Maria Hernandez. She attended to enjoy some live music and experience something new. It was her first time at a tuba recital, and she said it opened her mind to new sounds and instruments.

“The recital made me realize how many instruments there are that I’ve never even heard before,” Hernandez said. “Today inspired me to explore more kinds of sounds and discover new genres that I don’t typically listen to.”

Hernandez’s favorite piece was “She Danced in the Rain.” She said the performance felt emotional, explaining sitting and listening allowed her to become fully immersed in the music. According to her, the energy and passion of the performers made the experience even more memorable.

“I felt completely in tune with the music while the atmosphere made me forget everything else, and it left me wanting to hear more performances like this,” she said.

CSUN’s Department of Music hosts concerts and recitals throughout the year, featuring faculty, students and special events for the community. Performance calendars for future musical events can be found on their website.

Gallery • 6 Photos

Benjamin Hanson

Dillon MacIntyre and P. Blake Cooper during Faculty Artist Recital OcTUBAfest in Shigemi Matsumoto Recital Hall at CSUN on Oct. 26, 2025.