Mike Roylance

Tuba (BSO principal)

Mike Roylance is Principal Tuba with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Roylance attended the University of Miami and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla. At Rollins College, he served on the faculty conducting the brass ensemble and directing the Pep Band. Roylance was also the professor of tuba and euphonium at the University of Central Florida. Since relocating to Chicago, he has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, and Seattle Symphony Orchestra. He also served as the principal tubist with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago for the 2001-02 season. Prior to that, Roylance spent 15 years as a freelance musician and teacher in Orlando, Fla. He performed on tuba and electric bass in a wide genre of ensembles such as orchestras, chamber groups, Dixie-land bands, big bands, and Broadway shows. He was a member of Walt Disney World's "Future Corps" and principal tubist with the Walt Disney World Orchestra. Roylance was also a member of Rosie O'Grady's Dixie-Land Jazz Band. His career also includes performances in Europe and Japan. While in Japan, he performed as a soloist and taught master classes. His European performances have included the Classical Festival Orchestra in Vienna, Austria, and with the Sam Rivers Rivbea Jazz Orchestra in Portugal.



Mike Roylance has studied with former BSO Tubist Chester Schmitz, as well as former University of Miami professor Connie Weldon, James Jenkins (Jacksonville Symphony), Bob Tucci (Bavarian State Opera), Gene Pokorny (Chicago Symphony), and Floyd Cooley (San Francisco Symphony, retired).

Photo by Betsy Bassett

2009-08-04