With graduation approaching, many students are challenged with the task of completing a capstone project. For senior Jacob Neiman, it’s his senior tuba recital. He will be featuring pieces that he has been learning since he first came to Baker.

The performance will be at 7:30 Tuesday in McKibbin Recital Hall.

“I really wanted to have variety in the program,” Neiman said. “I chose different pieces from different time periods, composers, and styles.”

Among the pieces he is performing is “Nautical John,” a medley of various sea chanties arranged by William J. Bell.

“’Nautical John’ is probably my favorite song to perform,” Neiman said. “It is very playful, and it is not as strict as some of the other pieces.”

Neiman has performed with multiple Baker ensembles such as concert band, concert choir, brass quintet as well as the National Small College Intercollegiate Band and the Kansas Intercollegiate Band. His favorite ensemble, however, was Baker’s Dixiecats.

“As a tuba, I don’t get to play jazz too much,” Neiman said. “Tuba is a traditional Dixie instrument so it is a nice change of pace.”

The Dixiecats perform Dixieland music, a type of jazz formed in New Orleans known for its loose song structures and march influenced rhythm section. Senior Clarinetist Bailey Stines was also a member of the Dixiecats. She finds Neiman’s talents to be unusual.

“Tuba is not really thought of as a solo instrument,” Stines said. “Typically they are very heavy and clunky, but he can get good tone and melody. He does a lot with the instrument he is given. He can manipulate it very well.”

Neiman won the 2013-2014 Music Major of the Year award at the Scholars Symposium. Frank Perez is the Director of Bands and is also Neiman’s private teacher.

“To me the award represents dedication,” Perez said. “Jacob has improved a lot this year, and it shows his dedication as a musician and as an educator.”

Before performing the recital, Neiman had to audition all of his pieces in front of the music faculty to determine if he would be able to play it publicly. Perez is proud of what Neiman has accomplished.

“I am very excited for his recital,” Perez said. “I had no doubt that he would pass his jury. This recital is a celebration to all of his hard work.”

The concert is free and open to the public.