The University of Iowa School of Music has acquired a modified saxophone known as the tubax – a portmanteau of the words “tuba” and “sax.” The unique, custom-made instrument has never before been owned by an American university, said Kenneth Tse, UI professor of saxophone.

“That alone brings prestige and spotlight to our campus,” he said. “Most importantly, the students are all very excited for this addition to the ‘family.’”

The tubax was developed in 1999 by the German instrument maker Benedikt Eppelsheim, and is a full octave lower than the baritone saxophone. The E flat contrabass tubax, the size acquired by the UI, has the same register as a regular contrabass saxophone, but is much more compact due to its tubing being folded more times. 

Since the tubax is smaller than a regular contrabass saxophone, the School of Music’s internationally recognized Iowa Saxophonists’ Workshop ensemble will be able to travel with the instrument to performances around the United States. The quality bass voice of the tubax will greatly enhance the overall sound quality of the ensemble, Tse said.

The School of Music is part of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.