OXFORD, Miss. – A summer trip to the Mediterranean coast of Spain may sound like an idyllic vacation, but for University of Mississippi student Coda Ethridge, it inspired him to become a better musician and teacher.
Ethridge, a music education major from Pontotoc, was among only four American musicians invited to perform solo recitals at the prestigious International Tuba and Euphonium Conference in Valencia. The conference also included lessons and master classes with renowned brass musicians.
“This opportunity has changed my life as a musician and person because it is so easy to connect with others and learn from each other,” Ethridge said. “There were some off periods where I went with friends that I made there to a practice room, and we played our instruments for each other, giving each other tips and tricks to help our overall playing.
Coda Ethridge plays an alto horn while in Spain for the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference. Submitted photo
“You basically get to learn from all types of teachers across the world when talking with other students.”
The Ole Miss junior began preparing for the opportunity earlier this year. He landed a spot in auditions for the U.S. Army Field Band and even taught himself the basics of sound recording and editing to help him audition for even bigger challenges.
Ethridge was among 14 candidates nationwide selected for in-person auditions for the Army Field Band, on May 20 in Maryland. The process included an interview, solo excerpts and a live performance with the ensemble.
“This was Coda’s first professional audition, and while he was not awarded the position, advancing to the live rounds on the first try is an achievement in itself and provided valuable experience and networking opportunities,” said Micah Everett, a UM professor of music. “He has a bright future ahead.”
Everett loaned Ethridge some professional recording equipment so he could record and submit his own audition tapes.
“At first glance, it was a lot of buttons and a lot of knobs that I had no idea on how to work,” Ethridge said. “I just knew how to plug in the power cord and the microphone.”
He spent a long night watching YouTube videos to learn how to place the microphones and adjust the settings for best results. He also taught himself to use Audacity, an audio recording and editing software package.
“This process was very stressful,” he said. “I did not have a lot of time to record, so I had to learn fast.”
Coda Ethridge (right) and a friend visit the Queen Sofia Palace of the Arts in Valencia, Spain. The facility was home to the 2025 International Tuba and Euphonium Conference. Submitted photo
Ethridge recorded his audition tape in Nutt Auditorium during Wind Ensemble Camp, but by the time he got everything set up and adjusted, he had only 30 minutes to record it. After fine-tuning the microphone placement and audio settings, he got it done on the second take.
“I was really upset after the first attempt didn’t record because it is an 8-minute-long audition, which can take a toll mentally and physically sometimes when you play for that long,” he said. “I made some adjustments on the recording equipment and then went ahead with the second recording.
“I just hoped and prayed that when I sent in my recording that my technique and playing ability would be good enough for me to advance to the next round.”
Winning a spot at the international conference was a huge confidence boost, but Ethridge still had things to learn, he said.
“When going into the competition, I had a couple of instrument malfunctions before going into the performance, so I had to adapt on the fly,” he said. “I also learned how to enjoy the moment. I always get nervous when I’m about to perform because I tend to focus on everything that could possibly go wrong rather than focusing on the things that can go right.
Coda Ethridge performs at the spring honors convocation for the Department of Music in Nutt Auditorium, where he was named the department’s Outstanding Undergraduate Instrumentalist for 2024-25. Submitted photo
“I learned to take in the moment because this is not an opportunity that everyone gets.”
Ethridge plans to use things he learned in Spain to help himself and his peers at Ole Miss. The most significant, he said is “to have fun while performing.”
“I learned different ways to conduct and different techniques that I can use when I conduct students in the future,” he said. “If I teach beginner students on their instrument, I could help them excel better at the beginning stages with comments that I wish I had growing as a musician at my instrument.”
Ethridge is a member of several UM performance ensembles and has served as principal euphonium in the Wind Ensemble for three years and is a section leader for the Ole Miss Pride of the South marching band. He also plays trombone for the Mississippians jazz ensemble and tuba, euphonium and bass trombone for the Brass Quintet.
The Department of Music honored him as the Outstanding Undergraduate Instrumentalist for 2024-25.
Ethridge is preparing for the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival next spring in Michigan. He performed there as a freshman in the student division, but this year he will compete with professionals in the artist division.
After completing his bachelor’s degree, Ethridge plans to pursue a master’s in music performance and then a Doctor of Musical Arts. His goal is to teach at a major university and perform with professional bands.
“I would tell people to always keep pushing their musical abilities,” he said. “You never know where your instrument can take you.”
Top: Ole Miss junior Coda Ethridge (right) and a friend talk with Arisa Makita (center), an award-winning professional brass player and teacher from Japan who served as a judge at the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference in Spain. Ethridge was among only four Americans invited to present solo recitals at the conference. Submitted photo