John started writing music as soon as he was taught music writing regulations in high school music classes – 1983

At this early stage of writing, John was more into arranging “likeable songs” for tuba solos and tuba quartets than writing original music.

In the mid 90s, along with a new computer, came some notation software. Every piece could become electronically updated. This meant self publication was a viable option.

In 2012 iTubaOnline.com was launched as John’s music publication web site.

Many reasons and inspirations to write music have flowed through John over many years.

Some tuba solos were written as a result of a lack of tuba music available for brass band solo competitions. Other pieces were inspired by experiences with wonderful people and locations. Sometimes music was floating around in John’s head and needed to escape to manuscript before they disappeared. This has been the catalyst for a number of works. There also are writing competitions that motivate John to create new and unique works.

A number of John’s pieces have been performed by other musicians at competitions and recitals to very appreciative audiences. These include cornet and euphonium works besides the usual biased tuba music.

His work Trojan was selected as the Junior Bb Tuba test piece for the Australian National Band Championships in 2006.

As a tuba performer, most compositions were were written for tuba, being solos, solos with piano and quartets.

As a brass performer, brass band and ensemble music dominates John’s compositional landscape.

John is now writing more for orchestra as accompaniment for solo instruments.

Symphonies and other individual orchestral works are currently swimming in John’s creative mind.

 

Some euphonium and tuba works are included in

Guide to the Euphonium Repertoire 
By Lloyd E. Bone, Eric Paull, R. Winston Morris

and

Guide to the Tuba Repertoire
By R. Winston Morris, Daniel Perantoni

Click on each link, then in the left column, type Szkutko in the search box.