Zach Collins, professor of tuba and euphonium, completed a tour of Tennessee and Arkansas with professional tuba-euphonium quartet, Brass Mammoth in October 2023. Members of the group include Kent Eshelman (Baylor University), Benjamin Pierce (University of Arkansas), Matthew Murchison (Cornell University), and Collins.
The group performed recitals at University of Arksansas-Fort Smith, University of Memphis, Arkansas State University, and the University of Arkansas. The group performs many pieces that were composed and arranged by members of the group, including Collins's Psalm.
Brass Mammoth was founded in 2022 to pursue a high level of musicianship in a fun, flexible, and inventive way. The group seeks to perform and expand the standard euphonium-tuba quartet repertoire while branching out into world music, jazz, folk, and other styles. The members of Brass Mammoth bring a wealth of experience to the group as performers and educators. Collectively they have released 15 solo and chamber albums, won first place in dozens of solo competitions, appeared as soloists around the world, and have performed with leading ensembles including the Brass Band of Battle Creek, the River City Brass Band, and the symphony orchestras of Los Angeles, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Toledo, Grand Rapids, San Antonio, West Virginia, and Tulsa. Their diverse backgrounds include composing and arranging, jazz performing, conducting, studio work, and adjudicating. They each hold a doctorate in music performance and are active as university professors.