The Power of Overcoming, Resilience & Determination
The UNM Alumni Association proudly invites Lobo alumni and community members to the Lobo Living Room: “R.A.W. Tuba”: The Power of Overcoming, Resilience & Determination, with Dr. Richard White in Keller Hall on Main Campus. With over two decades of performing on the world’s classical music stages, tubist Richard White has matured into a musician known for his clear sound and stylistic flexibility. As a child, Richard slept wherever he could, sometimes in abandoned rowhomes where rats nibbled on him during the night. Now in his 40s, he still has those scars across his abdomen. But despite enormous challenges, he went on to become the first African American in the world to receive a Doctorate in Music for Tuba Performance and not just from anywhere, but from one of the most prestigious music programs in the US: Indiana University. He is now not only a tenured professor at the University of New Mexico, but he’s also the principal tubist of the New Mexico Philharmonic and Santa Fe Symphony. We hope you will join us to hear Dr. White’s story and a brief performance.
After the program, the UNM Bookstore will also have Dr. White's book, “I’m Possible” available for sale and Dr. White will be signing copies.
Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be provided from 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Speaker Bios
Author of the memoir “I'm Possible: A Story of Survival, a Tuba, and the Small Miracle of a Big Dream”, he began his tuba studies with Ed Goldstein at age twelve at The Baltimore School for the Performing Arts, where he graduated with honors. He then went to the Peabody Conservatory of Music to study with David Fedderly (Principal Tubist, Baltimore Symphony) where he received his Bachelor’s degree. On the advice of Mr. Fedderly, Richard traveled to Indiana University to study with the legendary Professor Daniel Perantoni. He continued his studies there receiving both his Master’s and Doctoral degrees becoming the first African American in the world to receive a DM in Tuba Performance. For 7 years, Dr. White held the position of Principal Tubist with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and from 2011 until today, he is the Principal Tubist of the New Mexico Philharmonic in addition to being principal tubist of The Santa Fe Symphony. Richard enjoys teaching at the University of New Mexico, where he is a Professor of Tuba/Euphonium. Dr. White has performed with the Canadian Brass Quintet, Indiana University Faculty Brass Quintet, New Mexico Symphony Brass Quintet, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Malaysian Philharmonic, Santa Fe Opera, Sphinx Symphony, Chineke Orchestra, Spoleto Music Festival U.S.A., Music in the Mountains, a summer festival located in beautiful Durango, CO, and many others. Dr. White is an Adams and Conn-Selmer Artist, and performs exclusively on these instruments. Prior to moving to New Mexico, Dr. White was one of the top freelance musicians in the Indianapolis area, where he recorded with such greats as movie film composer John Williams, Cincinnati Pops conductor Eric Kunzel, and the late great wind ensemble conductor Frederik Fennell. Throughout his musical and educational career development, Dr. White has had a passionate interest in motivational speaking. That dream has recently materialized itself with the launching of the documentary RawTuba. Sharing inspirational thoughts and philosophies that have motivated Dr. White has taken him to Mexico, Canada, South America, Europe, South East Asia and across the United States of America – with more engagements on the horizon.
By attending, you understand and accept the risks associated with in-person events during a pandemic. All attendees must wear a mask indoors in accordance with UNM policy. Guests are required to show proof of vaccination with an ID or a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours per Music Department Policy