Carol Jantsch
My primary aim is to help my students sound how they want to sound. We refine their musical ideas so that they are clear, specific, and engaging; and then we explore the techniques and strategies that will enable those ideas to come out on their instruments.
Carol Jantsch
Praised by the Philadelphia Inquirer as having “a sound as clear and sure as it [is] luxurious,” Carol Jantsch has been principal tuba of the Philadelphia Orchestra since 2006. She won the position during her senior year at the University of Michigan, becoming the first female tuba player in a major symphony orchestra. Jantsch is a renowned tuba soloist who can be heard regularly in solo recitals, on the radio, in recordings, and with orchestras around the world. Jantsch is also the founder of and chief arranger for the tuba cover band Tubular, which expands audiences’ notions of the capabilities of low brass instruments by presenting pop and rock music in a fun and engaging way.
At the Yale School of Music, Jantsch teaches a studio of graduate-student tuba players and coaches chamber ensembles. She is also on the faculty at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music, and has given master classes across the globe. An advocate for music education in her community, in 2018 she founded Tubas For Good, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides instruments for students in the Philadelphia School District. Jantsch also coaches music students from the district and hosts an annual Tuba/Euphonium PlayIN, a free event where players of all ages and skill levels perform as a mass tuba ensemble at Verizon Hall.
Raised in a musical family, Jantsch began studying euphonium at Interlochen Arts Camp at age nine. After switching to tuba, she attended the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy, then continued her studies at the University of Michigan with Fritz Kaenzig. After winning her position with the Philadelphia Orchestra, she returned to Michigan to complete her Bachelor of Music degree, graduating with highest honors. Jantsch is a Yamaha Performing Artist. She plays a Yamaha YFB-822 F tuba, a YFB-826 “Yamayork” CC tuba, and a PT-6 CC tuba.
Recordings
Reflections on the Mississippi for Tuba and Orchestra by Michael Daugherty (Naxos, 2018), Reflections on the Mississippi for Tuba and Band by Michael Daugherty (Soundset, 2015), Cascades (2009), numerous Philadelphia Orchestra recordings
