Statement of Intent for MMus

2024
Name: Likhona Tokota

SU. No.: 22292225

Proposed supervisor: Pamela Kierman

Working title: Harmonies and transformations: a comprehensive exploration of the

evolution, influences, and contemporary dynamics of tuba playing in South Africa

 What is the central question driving the proposed project?

The central question driving the proposed project will be the following: How has the journey
of tuba playing in South Africa evolved, been influenced by diverse musical traditions, and
adapted to contemporary dynamics, considering the pivotal roles of influential tubists, the
growth of tuba literature, and advancements in instrument design?

 What current research is being done in the proposed area of interest?

Although there has been a significant amount of literature written about the tuba, globally,
details of this instrument and players in South Africa is extremely limited. Bowers, in The
tuba in solo and ensemble repertory: a critical perspective (2008), suggests that the tuba in
modern performance practice is greatly dependent on its history and important predecessors
and lists notable tuba players from the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom
(UK), Europe and Asia, who have made a substantial contribution to the development of
tuba technique and performance. Hynds (2019) provides an extensive history of the tuba,
discusses new directions in tuba design, the use of the tuba in the UK and USA and the
preferred tubas for different types of performance (solo, chamber, orchestral, military band
etc.). Foster, one of South Africa’s most prominent tuba players, in An investigation into a
proposed syllabus for tuba performance studies at South African universities (2021),
expounds on the use of extended techniques in modern tuba music, specifying which pieces
require them.
 What are the aims and outcomes of the proposed research?

Through this research, I aim to explore the evolution of the tuba in South Africa, tracking
pedagogues who have expanded the pool of tubists in this country, and players who have
taken tuba performance to new heights. The study will include a discussion of the tuba in
both the formal and non-formal music setting in South Africa.

The British style, in terms of instrument and performance, predominated initially in South
Africa but in the 1970s and 1980s an American and German influence became prevalent. Vurl
Bland, principal tubist of the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra (CTSO) and brass
pedagogue, Sean Kierman, both from the USA, had a profound influence on the style of tuba
playing in South Africa.

To summarise, the journey of tuba playing in South Africa will be tracked, the influence of
diverse musical traditions will be documented and the pivotal roles of influential tubists, and
teachers will be considered. Details of the global expansion of tuba literature will be recorded
as much of it is being explored by current-day tubists in this country, and the use of the tuba
in the non-formal music setting, an important musical sphere in South Africa music and tuba
playing, will also be discussed.

 Why is the proposed research worth pursuing?

This research is worth pursuing because it could shed light on the rich and diverse musical
traditions in South Africa, specifically in relation to tuba playing. The tuba is often
overlooked in traditional African or local music and is commonly associated with Western
classical music. By exploring the evolution, influences, and contemporary dynamics of tuba
playing in South Africa, this research can bring attention to the unique ways in which South
African musicians have incorporated the instrument into their musical practices, including the
minstrels, Christmas Choirs (marching bands), church bands and arrangements of African
folksongs. It should also assist in challenging stereotypes and provide a more nuanced
understanding of the intersection of African music and Western influences in the country.

 How are you qualified to undertake this research?

I specialised in tuba performance in my undergraduate studies, and managed to maintain a
high academic and performance level. During the course of my formative and tertiary music
studies, I played with various music ensembles, from the minstrels to orchestras, symphonic
wind ensembles and military bands. I have played chamber music, performing in brass
quintets and low brass ensembles and performed on bass tuba (EEb, BBb, CC), contrabass
tuba and sousaphone which provided insight into different tuba designs. I have also been
fortunate enough to perform contemporary music for tuba, in a brass quintet which performed
a work by the South African composer, Michael Blake. Titled Africosms, this piece
incorporates African rhythms and various types of beats including Seakhi which has Famo
music influences. Famo is a type of traditional Sotho music consisting of singing
accompanied by the accordion, a drum and sometimes a bass drum. A great collaboration of
African music and modern brass instruments including the tuba, can be found in the album
Intsholo by Amampondo and the Solid Brass quintet (Amampondo, 2008).

Conclusion

As the pool of advanced level tubists expands in South Africa, it is important that the largely
unrecorded history of tuba teaching and playing in this country is recorded before it is lost.
Through this research I aim to ensure that this valuable information is preserved.

Reference list

Bower, D. 2008. The Tuba in Solo and Ensemble Repertory: Critical Perspective. Published
master’s thesis. Grafiati.

Foster, G. 2021. An investigation into a proposed syllabus for tuba performances studies at
South African universities. unpublished doctoral dissertation. Free State: University of the
Free State.

Hynds, A.M. 2019. The composer’s guide to the tuba: Creating a new resource on the
capabilities of the tuba family. Published doctoral dissertation. Bowling Greeb State
University. OhioLINK.

Viljoen, M (ed). 2015. Musics of the Free State: Reflections on a musical past, present, and
future. Zagreb: Croatian Musicological Society.
Vurl Bland: SWOSU [Online]. [n.d.]. Available: https://www.swosu.edu/directory/vurl-bland.php
[2023, November 2023].

Whewell, T. 2022. The deadly accordion wars of Lesotho. BBC [Electronic], 28 April.
Available: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61097386 [2023, November 30].

Reference for Amampondo:

Amampondo. 2008. Intsholo: Amampondo and Solid Brass Quintet [Online]. Available:
https://open.spotify.com/album/5qIwt9xGMl9IcQr2TIk6l4 [2023, 30 November].

Indicative bibliography: ITEA