(NEWARK, NJ) -- Concertgoers can see, hear and take photos with “Big Carl,” Carl Fischer Music’s historic giant tuba, at a free NJSO Accent event following the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Vaughan Williams’ Tuba Concerto with NJSO Principal Tuba Derek Fenstermacher on Sunday, April 9, at 3 pm at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. Tuba players who bring their own mouthpieces can enter a drawing for a chance to play the nearly 8-foot-tall, 100-pound instrument. College students can also see Big Carl at the College Night party after the 8 pm concert on Friday, April 7.
The event on April 9 is free and open to all ticketholders. Fenstermacher will demonstrate Big Carl and talk about the tuba’s century-long history with Steve Dillon, the founder of Woodbridge’s Dillon Music, who restored the instrument to playing condition in 2014. Attendees can take selfies with Big Carl, and drawing winners can play the instrument. (Tuba players who wish to enter the drawing must bring their own mouthpiece and sign in at the welcome table in the lobby.)
College Night, one of the Orchestra’s signature NJSO Accent events, is an exclusive event for college students on April 7. $10 student tickets include entrance to the 8 pm performance and post-concert all-student party, where Fenstermacher will demonstrate Big Carl. Tuba players attending College Night can bring mouthpieces and enter a drawing to play the tuba. Additional information is available at www.njsymphony.org/college.
Fenstermacher says: “I feel very fortunate to be playing the Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto and showcasing the wonderful music that can be played on the tuba, an instrument not normally associated with being a solo instrument. The addition of Big Carl is something that I believe will make this concert irresistible for brass players, and also for anyone who has never seen a nearly 8-foot-tall tuba before! Big Carl is on the move!”
Big Carl has been a fixture at Carl Fischer Music’s New York City locations since the early 1900s. The subcontrabass tuba stood in the music publisher’s storefront windows from the East Village to Cooper Square and Bleeker Street for a century and now resides at the company’s Wall Street headquarters.
Dillon invited Fenstermacher to play the tuba after its 2014 restoration. The New York Times documented the experience in a video; Fenstermacher told the outlet: “I saw it in person and I was speechless. I thought I might need another lung to play it.”
The NJSO Accent events featuring Big Carl were inspired by Fenstermacher’s solo performance of Vaughan Williams’ Tuba Concerto—the first of its kind written for the instrument. Music Director Xian Zhang conducts the eclectic concert program, which also features Ravel’s Boléro, Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals and Tan Dun’s Internet Symphony No. 1, “Eroica.”
Thanks to Carl Fisher Music and Steve Dillon, owner of Dillon Music, for their help making Big Carl’s appearances at the NJSO possible.
TICKETS
Tickets start at $20 and are available for purchase online at www.njsymphony.org or by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).
College Night student tickets are $10 and include the concert and a post-concert party. Student tickets are available for purchase online at www.njsymphony.org/college (using promo code COLLEGENIGHT) or by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO.
THE PROGRAM
Ravel’s Boléro
Friday, April 7, at 8 pm | NJPAC in Newark
Saturday, April 8, at 8 pm | State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick
Sunday, April 9, at 3 pm | NJPAC in Newark
Xian Zhang, conductor
Derek Fenstermacher, tuba
Ying Li and Zitong Wang, piano
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
TAN DUN Internet Symphony No. 1, “Eroica”
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Tuba Concerto
SAINT-SAËNS Carnival of the Animals
RAVEL Boléro
Full concert information is available at www.njsymphony.org/events/detail/ravels-bolero.
The April 7 performance is generously sponsored by Northern Trust. The April 8 and 9 performances are generously sponsored by Bank of America.
NJSO ACCENTS
Inspired by the concerts and designed to inspire audiences, NJSO Accents are pre- or post-concert events that complement the concert experience and provide audience members with more opportunities to personally connect with the music and music makers.
Classical Conversation—Fri, Apr 7; Sat, Apr 8; and Sun, Apr 9; before the concert
Enjoy a lively Classical Conversation beginning one hour before the performances. NJSO Director of Artistic Planning Patrick Chamberlain will talk with NJSO Music Director Xian Zhang. Free for ticketholders.
College Night—Fri, Apr 7, after the concert
$10 tickets for college students include the concert and a post-concert party with refreshments and live entertainment. More info.
#BigCarlinJersey—Sun, Apr 9, after the concert
Concertgoers can see, hear and take photos with “Big Carl,” Carl Fischer Music’s gigantic historic tuba at the concerts on April 7 and 9. Following Sunday’s concert, soloist Derek Fenstermacher and Steve Dillon, owner of Dillon Music, explain Big Carl’s history before Fenstermacher demonstrates this unique instrument.
NJSO Food Drive—all concerts
Non-perishable food items will be accepted at all performances for donation to local food banks. More info.
NJSO Accents in Newark are generously sponsored by the Prudential Foundation.
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