William Roper, performer on the tuba
Folks ask me what I do in life? I tell them, "I play the tuba." Mostly there follow some moments of silence. If I bother to look, it is easy to see their struggle. They really don't want to get off to a bad start in the relationship by immediately laughing in my face. Yet, the tuba?"It's all right," I tell them. "People have been laughing at me my whole life." ...since I was thirteen anyway, which is when I started on the tuba. Over time I've come to understand their amusement, even to appreciate it. How serious can such an instrument be taken? Believe me, I'm a serious guy, but I've played the tuba for more than three decades. One thing I've learned: you can't take the tuba too seriously.
Here is a bio of sorts.
Look, I should say that if you want more SERIOUS fare, you should go here.
If you want to know how I came to play the tuba, you should read the Tuba Story.
Watch a video portrait of Roper by Joseph Santarromana.
upcoming events
compositions
discography
mo' betta butta
if i ran the circus
juneteenth
The recent "next big thing", that was on a hilltop near you: Fanfares & Arhoolies!
See the video of Roper's Fanfares and Arhoolies on youtube
