Barton Cummings (b. 1946)

Barton Cummings (b. 1946)

Barton Cummings enjoyed a distinguished international career as a tuba player. An early pioneer in establishing the tuba as a true solo instrument, he began a campaign in the 1960's to commission new compositions for the tuba. As a result of his efforts, more than five dozen new compositions were written for him. Included among the contributing composers were Bennie Beach, Carroll Butts, Barney Childs, David Cope, David Ernst, Lejaren Hiller, Gyorgy Kosa, Joyce McKeel, Harold Oliver, Linda Ostrander, Joseph Ott, Walter Ross, Donald Stratton, David Uber, Marilyn Ziffrin and Fredrick Zinos. Mr. Cummings performed as a soloist at many Tuba Symposiums, the New York Brass Conference, the 1975 -1976 Carnegie Hall Tuba Recital Series, Lincoln Center Library and state and national band, orchestra and music educator conferences. He was a popular clinician and presenter of master classes and in this capacity, appeared at schools, colleges and universities throughout the United States. Mr. Cummings also created a number of recital programs for National Public Radio and PBS Television. At home in all musical styles, Barton Cummings was a member of the New Hampshire Philharmonic, San Diego Ballet and Opera Orchestras, California Symphony, Vallejo Symphony, Cal Jackson Orchestra, San Diego Brass Quintet, Koman Brass Ensemble, San Diego Jazz Society Orchestra, Solano Dixie Jubilee and the Brassworks of San Francisco. In demand as a studio musician, Mr. Cummings performed on the soundtracks of such films as The Contrary Warriors, Blood of Heroes, Henry and June in Paris, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Faces of The Enemy, Eat A Bowl Of Tea, and radio and television commercials. Mr. Cummings recorded recital albums for the Capra, Coronet and Crystal labels, on which he performed many of the compositions written for him. His recordings were met with great critical success and reviews of albums appeared in the American Record Guide, Fanfare, The Instrumentalist, Recorded Classical Music, and others. He recorded promotional albums of tuba solos for music publishers including Kendor Music and Studio P/R. Mr. Cummings was also a member of special recording ensembles for music publishers such as Alfred Music, Kjos Music and Studio P/R. Highly regarded as a teacher, Mr. Cummings served on the faculties of the University of New Hampshire, Indiana State University, San Diego State University, Point Loma College of San Diego and the Educational-Cultural Complex of the San Diego Community College District and Delta State University in Mississippi. In recent years, he taught part time for Diablo Valley College, Napa Valley College and Solano Community College.

His consistent and scholarly writing have produced three books, more than four hundred articles, scores of reviews and several editorship positions. His work is constantly cited in articles, books and dissertations by other authors.

The music of Barton Cummings has been performed throughout the world by such prominent artists and ensembles as Harvey Phillips, Mark Nelson, Mary Ann Craig, Fritz Kaenzig, Dennis Askew, Kenyon Wilson, Susan Bradley, Susan Nigro, James J. Pellerite, Tony Clements, David Deason, Carson Cooman, Janet Polk, Jae Young Heo, San Jose (CA) Chamber Orchestra, Bowling Green State University Euphonium-Tuba Ensemble, Colonial Tuba Quartet, Meridian Arts Ensemble Brass Quintet, St. John's Brass Quintet, Prima Toni, Tokyo Bari-Tuba Ensemble, University of Michigan Euphonium-Tuba Ensemble, New Castle Brass Ensemble, Harmonious Brass Choir, University of New Hampshire Concert Choir, University of the Pacific Wind Ensemble, University of Memphis Concert Band, University of North Carolina - Greensboro TubaBand, Georgia Honors Euphonium-Tuba Choir, and The Chicago Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Many of his original and arranged compositions have been recorded on the Channel Classics, Crystal and Mark record labels.

Now retired from tuba playing, Mr. Cummings lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.