Dr. Preston Light currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at Tennessee Tech University and is Principal Tuba of the Bryan Symphony Orchestra and the Springfield (OH) Symphony Orchestra. Previously, he taught tuba and euphonium at Xavier University and Northern Kentucky University.
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An active freelancer, Preston has performed with a variety of ensembles. His orchestral experience includes performances with the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, Dayton Philharmonic, Kentucky Symphony, Youngstown Symphony, South Bend Symphony, Richmond (IN) Symphony, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Queen City Opera, and the Cincinnati Ballet Orchestra. As a chamber musician he has performed with Summit Brass, the Linton Chamber Music Brass Quintet, and is a member of Cincinnati based Seven Hills Brass Ensemble. Preston has presented masterclasses and recitals across the United States, as well as being a featured soloist with many bands and orchestras.
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Preston also has had an accomplished competitive career. He won the 2018 Solo Tuba Competition at the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Tuba-Euphonium Workshop, 3rd prize in the 2018 Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Brass Competition, 1st prize at the 2016 Falcone International Tuba Artist Competition, 1st prize in the Mock Band competition at the 2016 International Tuba Euphonium Conference, and won the 2016 Jan and Beattie Wood Concerto Competition at the Brevard Music Center. Preston has also won and placed at many regional conferences hosted by the International Tuba Euphonium Association.
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In 2019, Dr. Light published an etude book with composer Benjamin McMillan titled "15 Orchestral Etudes for Contrabass Tuba", which can be purchased through Cimarron Music. He can also be heard on the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra's newest CD "Voyage", and on "Evolutions (Carnegie VIII)" by the Tennessee Tech Tuba Ensemble. A strong advocate for new music, Preston has commissioned pieces by Todd Goodman, Benjamin McMillan, Evan Zegiel, Frank Gulino, Dr. Steven Darling, and Lucas Garner.
Dr. Light holds a B.M in Music Education from Tennessee Technological University and a M.M. and D.M.A. from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. His primary instructors include Timothy Northcut, Chris Olka, R. Winston Morris, and Jimmie Self.