Triumph of the Tuba

Think the pen is mightier than the sword? Check out the tuba

I’m a native of South Carolina, growing up in a small town called Peak. To my knowledge, they still have a population of about eighty-eight. (Or maybe there’s been a growth surge, and it’s ninety; or the crazy cat lady died and Josh went off to live in the big city, so it’s eighty-six. Whatever…you get the point.)

So, when I read about all the hoopla surrounding the confederate flag that has flown over the state capital for all these years, I was a little confused because I always thought it helped remind us that our country fought to bring liberation from injustice. But I guess not everyone thinks the same way, as evidenced by the KKK protesting on the state capitol grounds. Seems we still have some work to do on the liberation front. But I digress…

Enter an average guy from South Carolina named Matt Buck who apparently found the KKK demonstration embarrassing. Did he bring a megaphone? No. A gun? No. A crowd of protesters to get his point across? No. He did something far more diabolical.


He pulled a big silver tuba out of his closet (must have been a really big closet) that he had barely played since college, went to the KKK rally at the state capitol, and…marched in the midst of the rally (in 100 degree heat) playing Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries.” He stole the show, and basically let all the air out of the rally. After all, a rally can’t have gravitas when its soundtrack is a clumsy tuba performance.

Team Harmony Central has always believed music is the one language that crosses all borders and breaks down many barriers. No matter what language you speak, music lets you communicate effectively with anyone. It brings thrills to action movies (imagine Jaws without the soundtrack), provides solace in times of sadness, and spreads joy to the world. It can deliver a message, and even triumph over evil.

Matt Buck showed up like a lone Israelite taking down the walls of Jericho with a Sousaphone. John Phillip Sousa would have been proud.

The net result? 4.5 million YouTube views (and counting) of his march against the KKK. To me, it’s proof positive of the power of music. And yes, the power of even a tuba.

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Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.