- William Bell (tuba player)
William Bell (Dec. 25,1902-1971) [ [http://www.chisham.com/tips/bbs/dec2002/messages/114685.html TUBACHRISTMAS- Dallas, TX- Dec. 24 ] ] was the premier
tuba player and teacher of tuba in America during the first half of theTwentieth Century . From1924 to1937 , William Bell served as Principal Tuba with theCincinnati Symphony Orchestra . In 1921 He joined the band ofJohn Philip Sousa . In1937 ,General Electric 'sDavid Sarnoff invited conductorArturo Toscanini to select personnel for TheNBC Symphony Orchestra [ [http://www.windsongpress.com/brass%20players/tuba/bell.htm Welcome to WindSong Press ] ] . William Bell was the third musician selected by Toscanini, after hisconcertmaster Mischa Mischakoff and principal oboePhilip Ghignatti . In1943 he became principal tubist for theNew York Philharmonic . [http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/FAMOUSIOWANS/41221030]Leopold Stokowski invited Bell to perform and narrateGeorge Kleinsinger 's "Tubby the Tuba" (song), and to perform and sing a special arrangement of When Yuba Plays TheRhumba on theTuba . In 1955 Bell performed the American premiere ofRalph Vaughan Williams ' Concerto for Bass Tuba and Orchestra. He was professor of tuba at theManhattan School of Music until1961 , andIndiana University from 1961 until1971 . Students includedHarvey Phillips andR. Winston Morris .Under the auspices of the
Harvey Phillips Foundation , thousands of tubists worldwide join together each December at localTubaChristmas events in honor of not only the season, but of the life and teaching of Bill Bell. Usually played at these events is an arrangement of theBach chorale "Komm Susser Tod " (Come Sweet Death), Bell's favorite chorale.References
Bill Bell and His Tuba http://www.windsongpress.com/CD/phillips/bell/bell.htm
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.