Famous Sinfonians

[Tuba Guy]

I am pledging to Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and was wondering what famous tuba players are part of this fraternity. In a previous topic, I saw the names Harvey Philips and Mike Roylance, but (as with many topics on here), they got off track.
Does anyone know any more names? I have tried searching the Sinfonia website, but haven't been able to find anything that could help me in this search.

[Matt G]

Define "famous". Folks like Pavarotti and Andy Griffith (IIRC) would be famous Sinfonians.

Do you want professional tuba players who are Phi Mu Alpha brothers? That's a slightly different question.

[Tuba Guy]

Good point. Famous meaning ones who are consistantly employed at a high level (take that as you will), including but not limited to Professionals (who make their living playing tuba)(symphonic, band, solo, or other), street performers, anything. Just any tuba players who are Sinfonians and are active musicians and would be well known by other musicians.

[sinfonian]

I seem to remember reading that Andy Griffith was a trombone major in college (although a tuba player, his school did not have a major in tuba).

This would explain why the episodes of the Andy Griffith show that featured the Maybeery Town band, Andy was always playing the Tuba. Now all we need is a picture of him with his tuba to start a debate over what key and model it was (maybe York #3).

[tubatom91]

From wikipedia:

Among these famous Sinfonians are famous composers such as John Philip Sousa and Clifton Williams (composer), television personalities Fred Rogers (of Mister Roger's Neighborhood) and Andy Griffith, jazz musicians Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Maynard Ferguson, and Cannonball Adderley, rock musician Bo Diddley, Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart, philanthropists Andrew Carnegie and George Eastman, politicians including Presidential nominee Thomas Dewey and New York City mayor Fiorello La Guardia, folk singer and actor Burl Ives, tenor Luciano Pavarotti, and American Idol winner Ruben Studdard.

I'm thinking about pledging next year when in college. Seems like a notable thing to be a part of

[Steve Marcus]

There probably are a significant number of Sinfonians who post and/or lurk on TubeNet.

OAS AAS LLS

[djwesp]

Kappa Eta 2003 here!

[Arkietuba]

Dr. Jeff Jarvis (Chair of the UCA Music Dept./Former tuba Instructor) is a Sinfonian.

Dr. Louis Young (former tuba instructor here at UCA and former ITEA Competitions Coordinator) is one as well.

Dr. Denis Winter (Euphonium/Trombone instructor here at UCA is famous throughout the world for being in the USCG Tuba-Euphonium Quartet back in the day and has many recordings as well as being a Willson spokesperson) is also a Sinfonian.

I'm kinda famous around here...if that counts.

[Tubman]

Nowhere near famous yet, but I'm soon-to-be a member of the XI Gamma chapter...as in a week from today that is...

[BVD Press]

I would check with the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia chapter where you are pledging. I am sure they have a list somewhere that they use as an advertisement.

I am sure, and would hope, there are more than have been listed here so far, but maybe not.

[Matt G]

My suggestion:

Formulate a list of Phi Mu Alpha "hopefulls".

When list is ready, publish it in a new topic and ask if people know if the members of this list are Sinfonians.

Starting points:

-Tuba players in all major symphonies.

-Tuba instructors at major schools (that aren't redundant with the above).

-Former tuba players of note.

This should be a sizable list, and more than impressive enough for other tuba players "in the know".

[Arkietuba]

If I remember correctly, about this time last year, Marty Erickson came to UCA for a recital/master class and that night was our initiation ritual and I do remember inviting him to attend it...but I can't remember how I knew he was a member. Maybe I'm not remembering "correctly" but I do think he's an Honorary member...maybe not...I'm not 100% sure.

[Tuba Guy]

Anyone have any knowledge of Mr. Jacobs?

[THE TUBA]

We're hardly famous, but when the current batch of probationary members finish pledging, we will have 17 active Sinfonians in our tuba studio (not including Dr. Dennis AsKew, one of our chapter's faculty advisors).

Mike Robinson,
Iota Epsilon Historian

[Tuba Guy]

We're hardly famous, but when the current batch of probationary members finish pledging, we will have 17 active Sinfonians in our tuba studio (not including Dr. Dennis AsKew, one of our chapter's faculty advisors).

Mike Robinson,
Iota Epsilon Historian

That is really awesome.
If I am initiated, that will mean that our entire tuba/euph studio (including teacher) will be Sinfonians...of course, including the teacher, that only makes 4, but still, it's a cool thing to say.

[timdicarlo]

I realize Wikipedia is not a scholarly source, but for what it's worth, there's a list of notable Sinfonians in the Phi Mu Alpha article. I didn't know Mr. Rogers was a Sinfonian... w00t.

[TubaGoon]

Beta Omicron, '03 here, and presently PG 17. Anyone going to the National Convention in FL this summer?

[jonathonstuck]

I am currently CPR 3 and will be at the Convention. On the note of famous Sinfonians, find out what school they went to and then search the list of each school by visiting the website, http://www.sinfonia.org" target="_blank, and go to forgot ID on the left hand side. Type in their last name and choose the school from the list and your answer will appear!

OAS AAS LLS!

[Richard Murrow]

Someone mentioned earlier that Count Basie was a Sinfonian. I want to confirm this and say that I had the honor of being present at his initiation ritual. If fact we are down as having the same initiation date. This however is not exactly accurate, but I think it will make a good story anyway. My freshman class had just been initiated on a Sunday morning. The following Monday or Tuesday night, the Count Basie Band was on campus doing a concert. Our chapter president approached Count Basie to see if he was a member or would be interested in becoming a Sinfonian. Mr. Basie accepted and joined that evening in an impromptu ritual while his band waited on the bus. After the ritual we all went up to congratulate him and I will always remember the tears in his eyes and how deeply touched he seemed.
Move forward 9 years. I was traveling with the 1st and possibly only U.S. tour of the Moscow Circus. We’re playing in Memphis when one of our reed players comes to me before a show started and said, “Go check out the guy back stage”. Well, I walked back stage and there stands Count Basie with his entire band plus Sarah Vaughan and her rhythm section! I immediately walked up to Count Basie and explained that he probably wouldn’t remember this incident from 9 years earlier, but that I had been present when he was initiated into Phi Mu Alpha. Mr. Basie then pulled his sport coat back exposing the inside of the lapel and there was the Phi Mu Alpha pin that he said he had worn every day since his initiation 9 years earlier and once again he had tears in his eyes and hugged me! Wow! If that wasn’t enough he invited the entire circus band to the Hilton that night as his guests for the entire evening. He and Sarah Vaughan were appearing together in Memphis. Mr. Basie hung out with us all night and picked up the tab for everyone! That is one memory that I will take to the grave. What a guy! What a memory!

Richard Murrow

[Eric B]

Mr. Murrow's story was the best...LOVED IT!

Alpha Omicron '89