Legacy sophomore, Caleb Chambers, has been selected as one of six international student semi-finalists to compete for the top prize in the 34th Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival Student Division. It will be held August 9-12, 2019, in Twin Lake, Michigan.

Caleb was selected from anonymous recording submissions to a panel of adjudicators consisting of university professors and international performers. The other five semi-finalists hail from a high school in Texas, a high school in the Chicago area, as well as collegiate finalists from the University of Texas, Penn State, and the University of Vermont. The Leonard Falcone festival is considered the most prestigious low brass competition in the United States, and it is open to applicants internationally, both in the student (under 20) and artist (over 20) divisions. This year, semi-finalists are from the U.S., Japan, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Canada. Prior to the final competition on August 12, semi-finalists will attend master classes and recitals provided by internationally recognized euphonium and tuba artists.

The festival honors the memory of Leonard Falcone, a musician whose prestigious solo and pedagogical career lasted for almost three-quarters of the last century. Additionally, the 2019 guest artist will be Thomas Rüedi, a Swiss-born international euphonium artist, music educator, composer, and arranger.

I was shocked when I learned that I had been selected for the Leonard Falcone Festival. I have been playing the tuba for five years, but I have been involved in music ever since I can remember. The reason that I specifically chose the tuba is that my dad played it in high school, so I thought that it would be a good choice. I am looking forward to playing with amazing tuba players from all over the country, and I hope to grow as not only a musician but also a person during my time in Michigan. I would not be where I am today without the support of my parents, band directors, tuba instructors, and God.

Caleb Chambers '21

Tuba Player

Caleb was also recently honored at the Upper School Awards ceremony on April 29th as the recipient of the John Philip Sousa Band Award. This award recognizes superior musicianship and outstanding dedication. It is the most prestigious award a high school band student can receive. Andy Murphy, Director of Bands, said “It has been an honor to teach and watch this young man grow into a fine musician.”

Caleb Chambers performs a solo at the TPSMEA concert earlier this year.

Legacy Christian Academy offers students a college preparatory education; central to that education is fine arts. 100% of students in Pre-K through high school participate in a fine arts course, and many upperclassmen continue with their fine art study. For the latest information on Legacy fine arts, subscribe today. For more information on Legacy, visit our admissions page.