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Matt Hightower hired for IU Jacobs
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2026 6:42 pm
by Schlitzz
https://music.indiana.edu/news-events/n ... tment.html
There’s a new Sheriff in charge of the tubas, and euphoniums at IU. Officer Hightower has the chair.
Re: Matt Hightower hired for IU Jacobs
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2026 8:40 pm
by the elephant
HA! The Jacobs School Brass Department chair (Joey Tartell) is a guy I played with a few times way back in high school. He was an excellent trumpeter.
I have a tape of the two of us playing the Berlioz Hungarian March in our TMEA Region Orchestra in 1982. I also have a bootleg cassette of his high school band winning the 1983 UIL Regional Marching Band Competition, with him playing a beautiful solo. I graduated in 1983, and I think he followed in 1984. I went to Holmes and he to MacArthur in San Antonio.
I never got to know him, which is a shame. My first year here in Mississippi (1993), I heard that he was playing lead for Maynard Ferguson. I am not sure that is true, but I seem to remember reading his name on the roster of one of Maynard's albums from that era.
Funny the names you come across randomly as you get older…
Re: Matt Hightower hired for IU Jacobs
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2026 9:15 pm
by graybach
@the elephant
He indeed played lead for Maynard Ferguson, and the album he recorded with them was called “These Cats Can Swing.”
https://joeytartell.com/bio/
https://www.discogs.com/release/5708430 ... Rcj9XBQlg9
Re: Matt Hightower hired for IU Jacobs
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2026 9:21 pm
by gocsick
My son didn't apply to IU this year because he didn't know who the professor was going to be. Seems like he missed an opportunity.
Oh well.. hindsight is 2020.
Re: Matt Hightower hired for IU Jacobs
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2026 10:08 pm
by Schlitzz
I did an 8 yr hitch in the Navy, and then the BA.
Nothing wrong with waiting a year, or transferring in. Matt is a great guy.
Re: Matt Hightower hired for IU Jacobs
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2026 10:14 pm
by tofu
Big shoes to fill after William Bell, Harvey Philips and Dr. P. They took their time filling the position after Dr P retired last year- so they must have found the guy to carry on that distinguished legacy of excellence. Congrats to Matt. Hope he’s as funny as Dr P was. Never laughed as hard as I did in lessons with him at UofI. Then again that may have just been my playing.
I’m not sure what this ending quote from the IU press release means:
“As this job broadens to include euphonium, we couldn’t be more excited to have Matt Hightower joining us. He is an excellent educator, tuba player, euphonium player and composer. We’re happy to welcome him back to Bloomington.”
Was there previously a tuba prof & a separate prof of euph and IU has now combined the separate tuba & euph professorships into just 1? I assume if that’s the case it was a cost cutting measure.
Re: Matt Hightower hired for IU Jacobs
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2026 10:20 pm
by graybach
tofu wrote: Wed Feb 25, 2026 10:14 pm
Big shoes to fill after William Bell, Harvey Philips and Dr. P. They took their time filling the position after Dr P retired last year- so they must have found the guy to carry on that distinguished legacy of excellence. Congrats to Matt. Hope he’s as funny as Dr P was. Never laughed as hard as I did in lessons with him at UofI. Then again that may have just been my playing.
I’m not sure what this ending quote from the IU press release means:
“As this job broadens to include euphonium, we couldn’t be more excited to have Matt Hightower joining us. He is an excellent educator, tuba player, euphonium player and composer. We’re happy to welcome him back to Bloomington.”
Was there previously a tuba prof & a separate prof of euph and IU has now combined the separate tuba & euph professorships into just 1? I assume if that’s the case it was a cost cutting measure.
@tofu
Yes. Right now there is a separate euphonium studio.
Gail Robertson is the Visiting Professor of Euphonium.
This is the second year she has held that position.
https://music.indiana.edu/faculty/curre ... -gail.html
Before that, Demondrae Thurman was Professor of Euphonium. He was the very first IU Professor of Euphonium when the position was created in August 2018.
Re: Matt Hightower hired for IU Jacobs
Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2026 5:23 pm
by Stryk
Yet another huge loss for FSU.
Re: Matt Hightower hired for IU Jacobs
Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2026 12:43 pm
by Andy
tofu wrote: Wed Feb 25, 2026 10:14 pm
Big shoes to fill after William Bell, Harvey Philips and Dr. P. They took their time filling the position after Dr P retired last year- so they must have found the guy to carry on that distinguished legacy of excellence. Congrats to Matt. Hope he’s as funny as Dr P was. Never laughed as hard as I did in lessons with him at UofI. Then again that may have just been my playing.
I’m not sure what this ending quote from the IU press release means:
“As this job broadens to include euphonium, we couldn’t be more excited to have Matt Hightower joining us. He is an excellent educator, tuba player, euphonium player and composer. We’re happy to welcome him back to Bloomington.”
Was there previously a tuba prof & a separate prof of euph and IU has now combined the separate tuba & euph professorships into just 1? I assume if that’s the case it was a cost cutting measure.
When I was the (1981-1983) I don't recall any euphonium majors that weren't also studying trombone. Seems like most of those studied with Dee Stewart, but I don't recall any studing with Mr. Phillips. Of course, my memory could be failing since I'm old
Re: Matt Hightower hired for IU Jacobs
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2026 5:55 pm
by Schlitzz
Euphonium players. We’re a rare breed. Mr. Tindall is still recovering.
And in ‘61, the U of M euphonium players had their horns, in Russia. But meanwhile in their trombone section….. Morons.
Re: Matt Hightower hired for IU Jacobs
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2026 9:24 pm
by Jperry1466
It broke my heart when he left Kentucky. He had big shoes to fill, following Skip Gray and Rex Conner, but he did it admirably. I'm happy for this move for him.
Re: Matt Hightower hired for IU Jacobs
Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2026 3:12 pm
by LargeTuba
IU is removing the euphonium teacher because of University budget cuts to the school of music. Great Hire, everyone is excited!