MHCC MUSICIAN BRINGS THE TUBA TO LIFE

Roughly one score ago, a tubist was born into this world with the duty of bringing brass sounds to your local symphonic bands.

Sticking true to his passion (if not his destiny), Emanuel Aguilar is playing some amazing tuba currently in MHCC’s symphonic band. This is one committed tubist: He typically practices his tuba for at least one or two hours per day, depending on how much homework he must do.

While this is only Aguilar’s third term playing the brass instrument for MHCC, he has played the tuba for six years. Tuba is his main instrument, but he has also practiced the trombone for eight years, and currently plays it in MHCC’s Jazz Ensembles. And the dedication doesn’t end there. 

During his sophomore year of high school, Aguilar auditioned for the Portland Youth Philharmonic and got the spot as principal tubist – first chair/soloist, basically. Prior to that audition, Aguilar had just begun to start orchestral playing. After earning the spot, he found that he loves the setting of playing in an orchestra.

In fact, his favorite piece he has played so far in an ensemble setting was with the PYP: During his junior year in high school, the Philharmonic decided to play Tchaikovsky’s 4th Symphony.

“The tuba only comes in during the first and fourth movements,” said Aguilar. He describes the tuba parts of the piece as “loud and exciting,” and finds the whole last movement of this piece to be an adrenaline rush. He enjoyed the change in atmosphere of the music hall. The audience was as visibly as excited as the musicians, and by the end, he said, “I had goosebumps all over my body. Every single arm hair was straight.”

Playing in an orchestra professionally is something Aguilar could see himself doing in the future. His current plan is to double major in music education and music performance. He is considering a transfer to the University of Oregon next year. He has already been admitted to the UO school of music and is currently working on being admitted to the institution itself.

With his education in music, Aguilar’s dream job is to play in a professional symphony. However, he would also enjoy being a school instructor in order to pass on his love of music, he said.

If you are interested in seeing your local tubist in action, you have some choices.

MHCC’s Jazz Ensemble will perform at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, at the 2019 NW Jazz Band Festival and Concert, held here at several locations at the Mt. Hood campus, starting early in the day and running into the evening.

The PYP also has a concert the following day at 4 p.m. on May 5, at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in downtown Portland.