Personal Summary

Dr. Benedict Kirby is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Montana where he instructs the University of Montana Tuba & Euphonium Studio and directs the UM Tuba & Euphonium Consort (UMTEC). He also teaches courses in music theory and is an avid composer and arranger.

Kirby performs regularly as the Principal Tubist for the Missoula Symphony and the Great Falls Symphony.  Past performance experience includes performing with the Minnesota Orchestra, Greeley Philharmonic, Madison Symphony, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra as well as a stint with the 1988 Walt Disney World All-American College Orchestra in Orlando, FL.  He has been a soloist with both the Missoula Symphony and the Glacier Symphony (Kalispell, MT) as well as a two-time presenter for the Flathead Valley’s Wild About Music concert series for young listeners.

Kirby is affiliated with the International Tuba & Euphonium Association (ITEA).  In 2013 he was a co-host for the ITEA Regional Conference held at Washington State University in Pullman, WA. He has also participated as an organizer of reading sessions for attendees of past iterations of ITEA’s International Tuba & Euphonium Conference (2019 & 2022) where he has also been able to feature UMTEC in performance.

Other past service to the arts community in Western. MT has included conducting the Missoula Community Concert Band, conducting community theatrical productions by the Missoula Children’s Theater & serving as director for a variety of festivals in the region, including the Bitterroot Band Festival & the 5-Valleys Honor Band.

In 2015 “Pershing’s Own” U.S. Army Tuba & Euphonium Workshop in Washington, D.C. selected his composition “Dark Matter - Petite Concertante for Tuba and (band/orchestra/piano reduction) as the winning selection among 49 entries for their inaugural (and now annual) composition competition.  His compositions & arrangements can be found published with C.L. Barnhouse Co., Grand Mesa Music Publishers & Cimarron Music Publishers.

Kirby holds degrees from the University of Minnesota & the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His tuba teachers include Ross Tolbert, Arnold Jacobs & John Stevens.  He studied composition with Frank Bencriscutto, orchestration with Dominic Argento & counterpoint with Paul Fetler.  Previous employment includes public school teaching in Minnesota and positions at both Luther College (Decorah, IA) and the University of Northern Colorado (Greeley, CO).

He has two sons, Evan & Owen & he and his wife, Jennifer, make their home in Missoula, MT.

Education

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, MADISON - Tuba Performance D.M.A. (Minor in Jazz Studies) - 1999.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, MINNEAPOLIS - Tuba Performance M.M. - 1992. 

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, MINNEAPOLIS - Music Education B.S.1989.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, MINNEAPOLIS - Tuba Performance B.M. 1989.

Brass (tuba) instruction from Ross Tolbert, Arnold Jacobs & John Stevens. 

Composition study Frank Bencriscutto, orchestration study with Dominic Argento & counterpoint study with Paul Fetler.

Courses Taught

MUSI-102A, MUSI-195, MMSUI-295, MUSI-395, MUSI-495 Applied Tuba and Euphonium - (Applied Studio Lessons)

MUSI-205, MUSI-206 - (Music Theory III & IV), MUSI-418 (Advanced Topics in Music Theory)

Director - University of Montana Tuba and Euphonium Consort (MUS162A, MUS362A)

Selected Publications

Kidstuff Protocols for Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble

Salutations for Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble

Through the Rings of Saturn for Concert Band

Celtic Dragon Fantasy for Concert Band

Alpha Waves for Concert Band

The Eclipse by W.A. Allen (arr. Kirby) for solo Tuba and Orchestra

The Robot for Tuba & Piano

Publications

in 2015 “Pershing’s Own” U.S. Army Tuba & Euphonium Workshop in Washington, D.C. selected his composition “Dark Matter - Petite Concertante for Tuba and (band/orchestra/piano reduction) as the winning selection among 49 entries for their inaugural (and now annual) composition competition.  His compositions & arrangements can be found published with C.L. Barnhouse Co., Grand Mesa Music Publishers & Cimarron Music Publishers.

Affiliations

Kirby is affiliated with the International Tuba & Euphonium Association (ITEA).  In 2013 he was a co-host for the ITEA Regional Conference held at Washington State University in Pullman, WA. He has also participated as an organizer of reading sessions for attendees of past iterations of ITEA’s International Tuba & Euphonium Conference (2019 & 2022) where he has also been able to feature UMTEC in performance.

Specialized Skills

Brass Instrument Performance

Chamber Music Performance

Orchestral Music Performance

Composition, Arranging & Orchestration

Music Engraving/Notation Software

Recording Technology

Professional Experience

Kirby performs regularly as the Principal Tubist for the Missoula Symphony and the Great Falls Symphony.  Past performance experience includes performing with the Minnesota Orchestra, Greeley Philharmonic, Madison Symphony, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra as well as a stint with the 1988 Walt Disney World All-American College Orchestra in Orlando, FL.  He has been a soloist with both the Missoula Symphony and the Glacier Symphony (Kalispell, MT) as well as a two-time presenter for the Flathead Valley’s Wild About Music concert series for young listeners.

Other past service to the arts community in Western. MT has included conducting the Missoula Community Concert Band, conducting community theatrical productions by the Missoula Children’s Theater & serving as director for a variety of festivals in the region, including the Bitterroot Band Festival & the 5-Valleys Honor Band.

International Experience

 Rome Festival Orchestra, Rome, Italy - Principal Tubist - (2011).

Honors / Awards

Winner of the U.S. Army Band's "Pershing's Own" 2015 Tuba and Euphonium Workshop Composition Competition for his composition "Dark Matter" Petite Concertante for Tuba & Orchestra/Band/Piano.  Semifinalist in New York’s Concert Artist’s Guild Chamber Music Competition Sotto Voce Tuba Quartet (1998). Semifinalist in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition Sotto Voce Tuba Quartet (1998). Semifinalist in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition Sotto Voce Tuba Quartet (1997). Graduate Tuition Scholarship, University of Minnesota (1991). Band Alumni Association Scholarship, University of Minnesota (1990). Walt Disney World All-American College Orchestra - Principal Tubist (1988). School of Music Scholarship, University of Minnesota (1986-89). Belle Bonesteel Sorenson Scholarship, University of Minnesota (1984).