Dana School of Music will host daylong events for flute and tuba / euphonium players next weekend.

The 27th Youngstown State University Flute Festival runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 26.

Kathryn Umble, YSU professor of flute, will present a workshop on practicing techniques at 11 a.m. Guest artist Mark Sparks, former principal flute of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, will present a guest artist recital at 12:30 p.m., a masterclass with YSU flute students at 2 p.m. and a workshop on tone development and orchestral excerpts at 4 p.m.

Sparks has appeared as soloist and orchestral artist throughout the world. He is a faculty member of Chicago’s DePaul University and the Aspen Music Festival and School. He has recorded several solo albums, published arrangements for flute and piano and writes about flute playing as a contributing editor of Flute Talk magazine.

YSU Tuba / Euphonium Day runs from 2 to 8 p.m. March 27.

The event includes a rehearsal and master class with guest artist Anthony Kniffen, principal tubist of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. A closing concert at 7 p.m. will feature all participants, the guest artist and the YSU Tuba / Euphonium Ensemble.

Kniffen began his professional career at age 18 playing principal tuba in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Sir Georg Solti as part of their principal tuba audition. The next year he joined the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra as their principal tuba and was appointed to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in 1997.

Kniffen is the “play-along” tuba player on a Hal Leonard educational project called “Essential Elements 2000,” and he can also be heard on “Basically Baker,” a tribute CD to jazz legend David Baker, and on the popular 2010 recording “CSO Resound: The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass Section Live.”

Both events take place at Bliss Hall. Admission to both is free, but advance registration is required at ysu.edu/music. Once registered, attendees will receive further instruction.