Musician Feature: Carol Jantsch, Tuba

Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Tuba Carol.Jantsch, shown here in a poster from a November performance in Norway, in an interview from our Facebook page:

Hometown: Lorain, OH/Michigan #goblue

Orchestra member since: 2006

What made you choose to play the tuba? --I knew I didn't want to play what all the normal kids were playing, and I was strangely drawn to all the large and cumbersome instruments, so I guess you could say it was fate.

What are some of your hobbies? --Ultimate Frisbee, rock climbing, reading, puzzles

Tell us about Tubular. --Tubular is my totally rad tuba cover band! The five of us (2 euphoniums, 2 tubas, and drums) play better versions of all your favorite tunes (because more tuba = more better)--from Lady Gaga to Led Zeppelin and everything in between. Check us out on facebook!

What are your favorite pieces to play in the orchestra? --Prokofiev writes AWESOME tuba parts. Love me some Prokofiev 5.

What do you like to do when the orchestra is on the road? --I love hiking when we're in Vail every summer. One of my hikes last summer got cut short due to an ill-tempered moose, so I'll have to try that one again this year!

Do you teach? --Yes! I commute up to New Haven a couple times a month to teach at Yale School of Music.

Do you have any upcoming performances of your own? --I'm playing on the POM chamber music series at the Mutter Museum on February 27th.