Though you have probably seen her shuffling around campus, you probably would never have guessed that this sandal-and-sock-wearing, impressively modest senior is one of the most talented tuba players that the conservatory has yet to see.
But how did little Beth Wiese begin playing such an unwieldy piece of brass? “I actually started playing tuba sort of accidentally-I made a joke one day to our band director that I should take up the tuba, and I think my humor was lost on him because I had a tuba the next day,” says Wiese.
Though she herself admits this is a lame reason to start an instrument, no one can deny that playing the tuba has not turned out well for her.
One doesn’t normally think of tuba as being a particularly lovely or pleasant-sounding instrument, but those in attendance at Beth’s Senior Recital last week saw this myth completely debunked. Gushed junior Tim Phelan, “It was just as good as seeing a professional performance-unbelievable.”
Beth’s tuba-cred certainly does not begin and end at Lawrence University. In fact, as she is so loath to admit due to her burdensome modesty, she competed and placed second in the Leonard Falcone International Tuba and Euphonium Competition, was the winner of last year’s LU Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition and a few summers ago was hired to perform with the American Wind Symphony Orchestra as they traveled around Louisiana on a barge.
When asked what she planned to do with her post-Lawrence life, Wiese replied, “In true liberal arts fashion, I’m going to try to be a student as long as possible. Next fall, I’ll be starting my masters in Tuba Performance somewhere cool.future career goals include world-famous tubist/world traveler, but if I have to be realistic, I’d like to eventually teach and perform somewhere.”
“And that is the extent of my honor and glory.
Artist Spotlight: Beth Wiese
