Tuba
Gary Carper
Tuba • Fredericksburg Symphony Orchestra
A founding member of The Dallas Brass and the first tubist to earn a BM in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas, Gary brings a rare jazz pedigree and decades of freelance artistry to the FSO tuba chair.
Full Biography
Gary Carper studied Music Education at Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia before transferring to the University of North Texas, where he became the first tubist to earn a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies/Performance.
Since launching his professional career in 1976, Gary has performed as a freelance musician across 39 states and Europe. A founding member of The Dallas Brass, he has also served as artist-in-residence at Southern Methodist University and as a clinician for the Yamaha Band Instrument Corporation. He has been a finalist in national and international jazz improvisation competitions and has toured with ensembles including the Rodeo Bands and Guy Lombardo’s Royal Canadians.
Since 2008, Gary has been Adjunct Instructor of Low Brass at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. He currently performs on tuba with the Fredericksburg Symphony Orchestra, the New Town Jazz Band, and the Edelweiss Band, and plays tuba and trombone with numerous ensembles between Baltimore and Richmond.