Zach Collins, professor of tuba and euphonium at IUP, released an album of hymn arrangements for five-part tuba ensemble on Summit Records, titled Firm Foundation.
Collins, along with Chris Olka (principal tuba, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra), Tony Kniffen (principal tuba, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra), Zach Bridges (US Army Band “Pershing’s Own” and principal tuba, Maryland Symphony Orchestra), and Kent Eshelman (professor, Baylor University) recorded the album in summer 2023 at Wright State University. Together, the ensemble calls themselves QuinTuba.
The album features arrangements of 18 hymns arranged by eight different arrangers, including Emmy Award winner Bruce Broughton and IUP alumnus Jim Self ’65. Collins arranged "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" for the album. The arrangement will be published by Cimarron Music Press.
The album was made possible in part by funding from the University Senate Research Committee. Firm Foundation is available on CD from Summit Records and digitally on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and other major streaming platforms.