Tom McCaslin

Tom McCaslin has been described by Fanfare Magazine as “one of the contemporary tuba virtuosos.” Originally from Regina,  Saskatchewan, McCaslin’s playing and teaching have taken him around the  globe. He has performed and taught in Canada, the United States, Switzerland, Portugal, Finland, New Zealand and Australia.

As an orchestral musician he has performed with the Minnesota  Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the  North Carolina Symphony, the Regina Symphony, the Winnipeg Symphony, the  New Mexico Symphony, the Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto Casa da Música  (Portugal), the Lahti Symphony (Finland) and was acting Principal Tuba in the Auckland Philharmonia (New Zealand).  

As a soloist, McCaslin’s solo recordings appear on the Crystal  Records and Potenza Music labels. His first solo release, “Inside Out,”  was met with much critical acclaim.  The International Tuba and Euphonium Association journal wrote: “Hopefully this CD will serve to inspire the ‘next  generation’ of young tubists who will hear and accept this as regular  playing, and strive to push the limits even further.” Gramophone magazine wrote: “lf this recital doesn’t convert you to the lyricism of  the tuba, nothing will.” Regarding his second release, “One More  Dance,” Gramophone wrote: “McCaslin’s technical abilities are  brilliant and his musicianship is inspiring.” McCaslin has also recorded  for the Canadian Broadcast Company, National Public Radio and performed  on Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor. He has performed at  numerous International Tuba and Euphonium Conferences and at the United  States Army Band Tuba and Euphonium Conference held in Washington, D.C.

McCaslin received degrees from McGill University and Arizona State University, with extensive study with legendary tubists John Griffiths,  Fritz Kaenzig, Roger Bobo, Dennis Miller, and Samuel Pilafian. In 2003  he became the first tubist to return three summers to the prestigious  Tanglewood Music Center, the summer training center for the Boston Symphony. Prior to joining the Calgary Philharmonic, McCaslin was Associate  Professor of Tuba and Euphonium and Chair of the Instrumental Department at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina.

McCaslin is a Yamaha Performing Artist and plays exclusively on Yamaha instruments. When not sitting behind his tuba he relishes his time with family, cycling, espresso, and laughing as much as humanly possible.