The loudest tuba playing is not found in Bruckner 7.

[bloke]

It lies within gospel choir orchestral accompaniment literature...and - no matter how loud - it would be pretty good if it could be yet just a little bit louder...or a lot louder.

[cktuba]

I played a gig at a church in New Orleans (Choir Director was a friend of our 1st Trumpet) 10 to 12 years ago. I was constantly being asked for more. Crazy...

[bloke]

I played a gig at a church in New Orleans (Choir Director was a friend of our 1st Trumpet) 10 to 12 years ago. I was constantly being asked for more. Crazy...

The writing/orchestration/style/sonic concept is (unless it's a slow/quiet/solo recitatif - if you will - style INTRO into the loud-as-hell rest of it) that of a brass band sousaphonist...although perhaps (??) at A=440, rather than (with the no-bits/24AW/slide-stuck-all-the-way-in sousaphonist) A=445+.

bloke "REALLY fun...and funner that Bruckner ! "

[bort2.0]

Back in high school, I was in all-county band (which shared a concert with the all-county orchestra and all-county chorus). The director of the chorus was the head of the choir at a local HBCU -- there was some piece at the end of the concert that was band + choir, and was rehearsed and conducted by him.

Besides the "more tuba" thing (which I honestly remember happening!), the joy, energy, and enthusiasm that he brought to the podium was incredible, and it brought out the best in everyone. It was a LOT of fun to play whatever piece that was. Sadly, he died in his mid-60s from cancer.

[Mary Ann]

The loudest tuba playing I have ever done was this past Sunday when I was trying to be heard over that 40 piece old folks band --- and according to the recording, in a lot of places I managed it. This little Eb, I can blow its bell off and it doesn't woof back at me like the CC does.

That being no commentary on the pros and what they do in "real" music.

[bloke]

Accomplished gospel choir singers can INDIVIDUALLY sing AT LEAST as loud (and REALLY well) as trombones and trumpets.

Additionally, there are the heavy drums, the bass, the keyboard, the (as always) the rest of the orchestra - including timps, crash cymbals, gongs, and what-have-you.

OK...Then there are countless microphones - ALL hooking into a huge-honkin' sound system (no tuba mic, obviously. "Tubas are very loud, and require no amplification.")

[Casca Grossa]

The loudest tuba playing is done in the elephant room at any conference where everyone is grabbing whatever 6/4 York copy is available and cranking on the Ride.

[bloke]

The loudest tuba playing is done in the elephant room at any conference where everyone is grabbing whatever 6/4 York copy is available and cranking on the Ride.

pfft...a bunch of pikers..
I could wipe the floor with all 25 of them at once.

[Breavdah]

Making loud "work" and making loud "happen"...2 different things imo.