Adam Frey to write euphonium textbook

In middle school, Dr. Adam Frey was the first chair trumpet player and loved it. Then, he was "asked" by the director to change to the euphonium for a single concert. He did and never switched back.

Now, the University of North Georgia (UNG) associate professor of music plans to share his fondness for the instrument with a euphonium textbook in three languages.

"This will be the first book with original material written for the euphonium that will be presented in multiple languages: English, Spanish and Chinese," Frey said.

Frey explained most textbooks for euphoniums are adapted from trumpet or trombone books. He thought the euphonium, commonly described as a baby tuba, deserved to have a book of its own.

"This new textbook will take traditional teaching elements and scenarios I've developed and put them into a written form," he said.

Frey received a semester release to write his textbook, which is funded by a Presidential Incentive Award. Earlier this year, Dr. Bonita Jacobs funded 44 faculty and staff projects with a $415,000 investment.

Frey's vision for the book is to organize euphonium exercises from basic to advanced levels to help musicians master the instrument. He plans to serve as an artist-in-residency at four higher education institutions to test the effectiveness of the textbook.

Frey also aims to present the completed book at the International Tuba Euphonium Conference in May 2021.