Lawrence University Tubist Earns Bronze Medal at International Competition

APPLETON, WIS. — Lawrence University musician Stephanie Frye earned third place honors in the Tuba Artist Division of the 21st annual Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival held in mid-August at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Mich.

A senior from Beverly Hills, Mich., and a student in the tuba studio of Marty Erickson, Frye was one of 144 musicians from around the world in the competition. She was the youngest performer to advance to this year’s finals, receiving $500 for her bronze medal performance. This was the second straight year Frye was named a finalist in the tuba artist division. Prior to Frye, the last undergraduate student to be a finalist at this festival — Carol Jantsch in 2004 — earned a position with the Philadelphia Orchestra earlier this year.

Founded in 1986, the festival honors the legacy of long-time Michigan State University music teacher and band director Leonard Falcone (1899-1985). The festival is considered one of the premiere international euphonium and tuba competitions in the country and is the only annual festival of its kind.

Earlier this year, Frye was a semifinalist at the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference held in Denver, Colo.