In the lead up to Fanfare and Dances, our special chamber music concert in November we spoke with Karina Filipi, our fantastic Tuba Faculty who has curated this fantastic program, about playing the Tuba in chamber music settings and what we can expect to hear in this concert.
Tell us about the upcoming program you have curated for the ANAM brass cohort
I’ve treated this curated program as an end of year celebration! It is a chance to celebrate the year together as a cohort by coming together to play energetic and uplifting music - hence the title Fanfare and Dances. I also wanted to celebrate some ANAM brass alumni that have gone on to do wonderful things in the music world, which led to me selecting works by Louisa Trewartha and Josh Rogan.
Tell us about your experience playing the Tuba in chamber music settings, rather than orchestra
It’s not something I’ve done regularly but have thoroughly enjoyed whenever I have been given the opportunity to perform in a chamber music setting. Just last year I had the privilege of with playing in and tutoring a brass quintet at ANAM. Workshopping a new compositing by Thomas Green was a fantastic experience, not only to work directly with the composer but also to witness the group’s sense of unity and musical cohesion grow exponentially throughout the year.
The Tuba is perhaps not the first instrument people think of as an instrument included in chamber music. What should audiences listen out for in works that include Tuba?
Tuba is often underestimated generally as an instrument and shoe-boxed into being used for low and loud passages or works (which is not entirely untrue)! However, the instruments breadth of sound colours, technical dexterity and large spectrum of range and dynamics make it a chameleon. It is able to morph to blend with brass, winds and lower strings but also able to take on a percussive rhythmic drive when needed.
Tell us about some of your plans for 2026
Doing more of what I love! Performing great music, with passionate and inspiring people as well as continuing to work with and advocate for the next generation of music makers to ensure our art form has a strong and bright future ahead for years to come.
Fanfare and Dances
Friday 7 November 7pm
Josh ROGAN (ANAM alum) Fanfare, Reflection and Ending for two trumpets
Katy ABBOTT Fanfare for the Melancholy
Mogens ANDRESEN Three Norwegian Dances
Louisa TREWARTHA (ANAM alum) Inspire
Astor PIAZZOLLA arr. VERHELST Suite from Maria de Buenos Aires
Alexander BORODIN Polovtsian Dances
Nat MCINTOSH and YOUNGBLOOD BRASS BAND Brooklyn
Karina Filipi (ANAM Faculty) conductor/tuba
ANAM Musicians
Venue Rosina Auditorium, Abbotsford Convent
Tickets from $20
This article was first published in volumne 57 of Music Makers.
Words by Evan Lawson, Marketing Manager