ORGANIZATIONAL MISSION: Tuba Bach: Enriching the lives of adults and children in Big Rapids and West-Central Michigan through exemplary performances and programs presented by world-class musicians.
The Tuba Bach Chamber Music Festival brings world class concert events to Big Rapids. The Festival continues to bring some of the finest musical talents from our community, the state of Michigan and from across the country to present six weeks of unique concerts, educational programs for our students, and community outreach events available to all. We continue also to stretch the imaginations of our audiences and the established definitions of chamber music in general by presenting a wide variety of musical styles and offerings, from soaring operatic arias and rousing choruses to brilliant improvisations and laugh-out-loud humor, intricate classical presentations and graceful dance to flourishing brass and boisterous Dixieland Jazz.
The Tuba Bach Chamber Music Festival has entertained and educated thousands of Big Rapids area residents and students, Ferris State University faculty and students and neighboring West Michigan community members, as well as audience members from across the state and many out-of-state patrons who have made their journeys to Michigan for the festival an annual event. Musicians have come from fourteen different countries, twenty-two states, and throughout Michigan, as well as from our local communities to share their talents.
Tuba Bach has also commissioned and premiered several new musical compositions as well as numerous transcriptions and arrangements, adding quality new works to the repertoire by internationally known composers as well as composers from right here in our community.
And while the roster of musicians has been impressive indeed, with Grammy award winning musicians, Grand Ole’ Opry regulars, and many internationally recognized artists from a variety of genres, Tuba Bach has and will continue to offer its world class Sunday afternoon concerts to everyone, with no admission fee.
EDWARD K. MALLETT is the president and artistic director of the internationally acclaimed Tuba Bach Chamber Music Festival, held annually in Big Rapids, Michigan, where he has shared the stage and collaborated with award winning artists and ensembles including the Harlem String Quartet, Classical Jam, tenor Rodrick Dixon, jazz trumpet legend Marcus Belgrave, pianist/composer Alvin Waddles, comedic genius Heywood Banks, electric bassist Steve Bailey, drummer Bernie Dresel, harpist Sylvia Norris, African griot Mady Kouyate, harmonica virtuoso Mike Stevens, bluegrass legend Raymond McLain, Venezuelan flute master Marco Granados, blues guitarist Rick Hicks, jazz vocalists Sunny Wilkinson and Eve Cornelious, the New Millennium Chorale Gospel Ensemble, the Tuba Bach Quartet – with Chuck Guy, Phil Sinder and Demondrae Thurman, and hundreds of other musicians.
Dr. Mallett has performed as soloist and chamber musician across North America in venues ranging from major concert halls to small town band shells, east coast Ivy League colleges to west coast elementary school gymnasiums, international music festivals to inner city clubs. In addition to his euphonium and tuba performance career, Mallett is also recognized as one of the world’s foremost authorities on the double bell euphonium, presenting clinics and seminars on the instrument at a variety of international events. He is also active as a composer and arranger.
Dr. Mallett earned his undergraduate degree in music from Central Michigan University in 1992 and graduate degrees in music from Michigan State University in 1993 and 1996. He taught for over a decade at colleges and universities in Michigan and North Carolina before returning to his hometown to pursue his performing and compositional career full time. Mallett happily lives in the Big Rapids area with his wife Adriana.
Tuba Bach Board Members
Dr. Edward Mallett, President and Artistic Director
Katie McInnis, Board Chair
Jane Pedelty, Secretary
Dr. Amy Buse, Treasurer
Members At-Large:
Paula Beilfus
Steve Beilfus
Bob Clark
Dr. Richard Scott Cohen
Rev. Jerena Keys
Janet Mallett
Dr. Gunder Myran
Glen Pepper