Current Studio Members

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Studio FAQ

How many students are in the studio?

The goal is to have 18 students in the studio- 10 tubas and 8 euphoniums. This is enough to service our two large wind ensembles and our two symphony orchestras.

How many openings do you anticipate for next fall?

It looks like we will have room for 2 or 3 new euphoniums and 3 new tubas.

What does the audition process look like?

Pre-screening materials are due on December 1. Those invited to the next round of auditions have the option of coming to Ann Arbor or auditioning remotely via Zoom. Live auditions for BM and MM students will be held on February 2 and 3, and Zoom auditions on February 4. While live auditions are always preferable, those choosing to do remote auditions will receive the same consideration as the live auditions. Live DMA auditions for tuba will be held on February 17. BM and MM applicants will audition in Professor Zerkel’s studio with only him evaluating the auditions. The process is very friendly and relaxed. DMA auditions will audition for a panel of three brass faculty members. 

Are there good scholarship opportunities?

The Admissions team works hand in hand with the Office of Financial Aid to strategize on scholarship opportunities for our accepted applicants. The University of Michigan is generally very good about recognizing financial need, based on information gathered in the FAFSA and CSS forms. Typically, the top applicants receive very competitive scholarship offers. DMA students are typically offered full tuition scholarships.

How do auditions for ensembles work?

We hold blind auditions for our large ensembles at the beginning of each semester. The audition repertoire usually consists of a mix of etudes and excerpts. In order to make the process as fair as possible, Professor Zerkel does not coach any students on the audition repertoire. Students indicate their preference for their top choice for placement and we fill the spots based on the ranked results.

What kind of playing opportunities are there for students at Michigan?

We have two large wind ensembles, Symphony Band and Concert Band, and two symphony orchestras, University Symphony Orchestra and University Philharmonia Orchestra. We have a tuba-euphonium ensemble, the University of Michigan Euphonium Tuba Ensemble (UMETE). Chamber music is supported very actively, with a full-time faculty member whose only job in to administer the chamber music program. Students often choose to play in either a brass quintet or a tuba-euphonium quartet. There is a contemporary chamber ensemble which sometimes calls for tuba. The opportunities are limited only by the students’ imagination.

Why Michigan?

The University of Michigan boasts a world-class School of Music within a world-class University. Students here are bright, attentive, and success oriented. The Tuba Euph Studio is a very tight knit and supportive group of people. Professor Zerkel is a full-time educator whose students are his first priority. While his standards are very high, he is totally approachable and unfailingly supportive of his students, whatever their goals might be. Ann Arbor is one of the quintessential college towns in the US, with a plethora of cultural opportunities and a lively foodie scene.

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Accomplishments of Former UM Tuba Euph Students

Mike Andrew-Tuba (retired), United States Air Force Bands

Stacy Baker– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Morehead University

Greg Battista– former Euphoniumist/Trombonist, US Naval Academy Band

Justin Benavidez– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Florida State University

Robert Benton– Professor of Low Brass, University of Nebraska at Kearney

Jay Bertolet– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Florida International University

David Biedenbender– Professor of Composition, Michigan State University

Chris Blaha– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, University of Akron

Michael Brown– Bass Trombone, US Navy Band

Landres Bryant- Tuba, United States Marine Band

John Caputo– US Air Force Bands (retired)

Warren Deck– Principal Tuba (retired), New York Philharmonic

Scott Devereaux– Tuba, United States Army Field Band

Peter DuBeau– Principal Tuba, Virginia Symphony Orchestra

Kent Eshelman– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Baylor University

Tony Halloin– Tuba, United States Navy Band

Grant Harville– Music Director, Great Falls Symphony

Brendan Ige– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Eastern Michigan University

Ken Heinlein– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Baldwin Wallace College & Kent St U

Carol Jantsch– Principal Tuba, The Philadelphia Orchestra

Morris Kainuma– Tuba, top New York freelancer 

Ken Kroesche– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Oakland University

Alex Lapins– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, University of Tennessee

Matt Lyon– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Ball State University

Jarrett McCourt– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Vanderbilt University

David McLemore– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Central Washington University

Michael Nickens– Director of Athletic Bands, George Mason University

Roger Oyster– Principal Trombone, Kansas City Symphony

Ben Pierce– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, University of Arkansas

Mitsuru Saito– Lecturer, SHOBI College of Music & Kunitachi  Colleges of Music

Dave Saltzman– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Bowling Green State University, Oberlin College, and Principal Tuba, Toledo Symphony

Travis Siehndel – Tuba, United States Navy Band

Steven Seward– Principal Tuba (retired), Kansas City Symphony

Tom Stein– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium (retired), University of Missouri at Kansas City

Craig Sutherland– Principal Tubist, Rochester Philharmonic

Matt Summers– Euphonium, United States Marine Band

Mark Thiele– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium and Director of Bands, University of Idaho

Matt Tropman– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, University of Arizona

Jeremy Van Hoy– Bass Trombone, Colorado Springs Philharmonic

Kevin Wass– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Texas Tech University

Brad Weaver- former Tuba, United States Marine Band

Scott Teeple- Director of Bands, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Accomplishments of David Zerkel Students

Alex Avila– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Columbus State University

Nick Beltchev– Tuba, Dallas Wind Symphony, Adjunct Professor, Oklahoma State University

Joseph Bickel- Euphonium, United States Air Force Band

Willie Clark– Tuba, United States Air Force Band, Professor of Tuba, University of Maryland

Fernando Deddos– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Norte , Brazil

Charlie Goodman– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Louisiana State University

Matt Gordon– Euphonium, US Navy Fleet Band

Joseph Guimaraes– Tuba, United States Navy Band

James Hicks– Tuba, The United States Navy Band

Chris Leslie– Euphonium, United States Military Academy Band (West Point)

Adam Lessard- Euphonium, United States Army Band (Pershing’s Own)

Alec Mawrence- Tuba, United States Military Academy Band Brass Quintet (West Point)

David McLemore– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, University of Central Washington

Sarah Stout Miller– Associate Director of Athletic Bands and Professor of Trombone, Washington State University

Cale Self– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium and Associate Director of Bands, University of West Georgia

Matt Shipes– Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, University of Georgia

Simon Wildman – Tuba, United States Marine Band