Kenyon Wilson
Kenyon Wilson
composer | teacher | performer
Dr. Kenyon WilsonIn 2006, the International Astronomical Union clarified the definition of a planet, creating a new class of objects known as dwarf planets. They are defined as a celestial body orbiting the Sun that is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity but has not cleared its neighboring region of planetesimals and is not a moon. There are five known dwarf planets: Eris, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, and Ceres.
Eris, the goddess of strife and discord, is the largest of the known dwarf planets. The movement commences with a brief fanfare based on Eris’s original catalogue designation, UB313. Following the opening section, the audience hears the main motive that appears throughout the entire movement. An argument between the principal trumpet, horn, and trombone follows the opening motive and represents the mythology that Eris started the Trojan war by creating discord between Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. The movement concludes with a restatement of the original fanfare.
Pluto, the god of the underworld and the second largest of the dwarf planets, was discovered in 1930 and designated a planet for 76 years. After the discovery of Eris, a larger neighbor, Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet. Because of Pluto’s demotion, the movement is appropriately set in the style of a funeral march.
Haumea, the patron goddess of Hawaii, is an atypical dwarf planet. Unlike the other dwarf planets, its rapid rotation causes the planet to be ellipsoid rather than spherical in shape. As such, the outer sections of the movement are humorous and asymmetrical with the inner section being a ethereal chorale section.
Makemake is the god of fertility in the mythos of the Rapanui, the native people of Easter Island. It is unique in that it is the only dwarf planet in the Kuiper belt (the region past the orbit of Neptune) that lacks a moon. The music of this movement, therefore, represents the longing of a childless mother.
Ceres, the goddess of growing plants, the harvest, and motherly love, is the only dwarf planet to inhabit the asteroid belt. Since its discovery in 1801, it has seen its status change from planet to asteroid and finally to dwarf planet. Ceres takes 4.6 years to orbit the sun compared to over 245 years for the other dwarf planets and because of its extremely fast orbit, a moto perpetuo style is employed throughout the movement.
Kenyon Wilson is the Head of Performing Arts at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Principal Tubist with the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra in Alabama and the Symphony Orchestra Augusta in Georgia. His past teaching positions include full-time appointments at Central Michigan University, Valdosta State University in Georgia, and the Baku Music Academy in Azerbaijan where he served as a Lecturing Fulbright Scholar. He has performed recitals in the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia. Dr. Wilson holds degrees from the University of Georgia, Baylor University, and Tennessee Technological University.
He contributed a chapter to the Guide to Tuba Repertoire: The New Tuba Source Book. He has several published compositions and arrangements, and in 2008 his music was the subject of an article in the Arts Section of the Wall Street Journal.
Dr. Wilson serves on the Board of Directors for the International Tuba/Euphonium Association.
Our annual Chattanooga TubaChristmas concerts are returning to the Chattanooga Zoo! This year's event is Sunday, December 3 as part of the Asian Lantern Festival at the Chattanooga Zoo.
| Registration: | 5:00 pm |
| Performances: | 6:00 & 7:00 pm |
Our guest conductor this year is Dr. Robert Truan, Visiting Professor of Music at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Registration is $10, which includes a TubaChristmas 2023 Commemorative Button. All participants will have free admission to the park for themselves and one additional person.
We will be using Carols for a Merry TubaChristmas, Vol. II. Copies of the music are available for $25 in both treble- and bass-clef versions. Please bring a folding stand or lyre and wear festive attire. A limited number of hats and scarves will be available for purchace at the registration table.
For more information and a listing of other TubaChristmas cities, visit www.tubachristmas.com.
Chattanooga TubaChristmas 2018
Chattanooga TubaChristmas 2017
Chattanooga TubaChristmas 2016
Chattanooga TubaChristmas 2015
Chattanooga TubaChristmas 2014
Chattanooga TubaChristmas 2013
Chattanooga TubaChristmas 2012
Chattanooga TubaChristmas 2011
Chattanooga TubaChristmas 2010
Chattanooga TubaChristmas 2009
Fellow tubist and long-time friend Tracy Luna is battling cancer, so I decided to compose him a series of get-well etudes. These are free to download, perform, and record. Please consider a donation to support pancreatic cancer research. If performed as a suite, please use the title Convalescence Sketches.
Eric Henson organized a group commission for Cruise Elroy, a new work for solo contrabass trombone and piano. It was premiered at the 2019 International Trombone Festival.
Commissioning Members:
Congratulations for our biggest turnout yet for Chattanooga TubaChristmas! Sixty-four performers strong at the Tennessee Aquarium in downtown Chattanooga.
For more information and a listing of other TubaChristmas cities, visit www.tubachristmas.com.
Chattanooga TubaChristmas 2017
Chattanooga TubaChristmas 2016
Chattanooga TubaChristmas 2015
Chattanooga TubaChristmas 2014
Chattanooga TubaChristmas 2013
Chattanooga TubaChristmas 2012
Chattanooga TubaChristmas 2011
Chattanooga TubaChristmas 2010
Chattanooga TubaChristmas 2009