Schools
Port Jefferson Students Participate on Howard Hovey Tuba Day at Smithtown HS West
Port Jefferson School District students participate in 30-year tuba tradition.

On Nov. 1, band students and siblings Gani Ates (fifth grade) and Sinan Ates (sixth grade) participated in the Howard Hovey Tuba Day at Smithtown High School West.
Back in 1975, Hovey organized the first SCMEA OcTubafest as a way for tuba players to come together and play. Hovey got the idea from a concept developed by Dr. Harvey Phillips, former professor of tuba at Indiana University in Bloomington.
Together, the day brings recognitions to euphonium and tuba players by a set of public performances of tuba solo and ensemble music all over the world. This year, Smithtown High School West participated in the event and welcomed tuba players from all over the island to participate.
During this year's event, more than 200 tuba students from across Suffolk County gathered on one stage to perform alongside professional musicians, including renowned guest artist Phil Sinder.
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