Affectionately referred to as Uncle Artie, Frackenpohl was a prominate composer, arranger and proponent of brass music. Many of his compositions and arrangements are accessible to young students and enjoyable to perform. A prolific arranger for the Canadian Brass, his music has been performed all over the world.  A student of Bernard Rogers, Darius Milhaus and Nadia Boulanger, Frackepohl received a bachelor's and master's from the Eastman School of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts from McGill University. He went on to join the faculty of the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam where he was appointed professor of music and coordinator of keyboard courses, a position he held until retirement. His texbook, Harmonization at the Piano, is used in music programs around the country.

 Tubatunes was written for tubist Daniel Perantoni. It is a lighter work with considerable jazz influence, each movement highlighting a different jazz style and utilizing extended techniques.