Alexander Lapins teaches applied tuba and euphonium, chamber music and performs with the faculty brass quintet at the University of Tennessee School of Music. During the summer he serves as an instructor at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Dr. Lapins has also taught at Northern Arizona University, the University of Indianapolis and Indiana State University.
Dr. Lapins has appeared as a soloist with orchestras, concert bands, and chamber groups. He has performed throughout the United States, China, South America, and Europe. A diverse performer, Dr. Lapins is the only tubist to have won fellowships at both the Tanglewood Music Center and the Henry Mancini Institute.
Alexander Lapins performed as principal tubist of several professional orchestras and brass quintets throughout Indiana, and was a first-call substitute/extra musician with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. He has also performed with the New Mexico Philharmonic Orchestra, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera Orchestra, Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, and the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Lapins has also performed with the Disney Collegiate All-Star Band, the Guy Lombardo Orchestra, the New Sousa Band, and Harvey Phillips' Tubacompany.
Dr. Lapins has extensive experience as a first-call studio musician. He can be heard on hundreds of recordings for Hal Leonard, Warner Brothers, Disney, Plank Road, Sacred Music Services, the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, SMS Brass Choir, and a variety of other record and publishing companies.
Alexander Lapins is devoted to expanding the repertoire of the tuba across all genres. An avid supporter of new music, Dr. Lapins has premiered dozens of new works and has been active in regularly commissioning new works for brass.
Dr. Lapins has been featured at regional and international ITEA conferences and United States Army Band Tuba Conferences, the 2012 Southwest Horn Workshop, and the 2012 and 2019 International Women's Brass Conferences. In 2011 he hosted the Southwest Regional ITEA conference at the NAU School of Music, and in 2016 he hosted ITEA's International Tuba/Euphonium Conference at UT. He has presented guest recitals and master classes at many schools of music.
Alexander Lapins has graduate degrees in music performance from Indiana University and the University of Michigan, and a bachelor's degree in music industry from James Madison University. His principal teachers include Daniel Perantoni, Fritz Kaenzig, Kevin Stees, Tony Kniffen, and Mike Bunn. He has also studied with Gene Pokorny, David Fedderly, Jim Self, and Mike Roylance.
Dr. Lapins' books "Dueling Fundamentals for Two Tubas" (2018) and "Dueling Fundamentals for Two Euphoniums" (2019), innovative advanced fundamentals exercises in two voices, are available from Mountain Peak Music. He is also author of the "Tuba" chapter of Mountain Peak Music's innovative "Teaching Brass" hybrid text.
He is a member of the International Tuba/Euphonium Association, the American Federation of Musicians, a regular contributor to the ITEA Journal, and an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi. Alexander Lapins is an Eastman Artist.
What They Play
EBF864
Old world design and craftsmanship meet with the consistency of modern manufacturing. This full size F tuba combines the sound of a Germanic rotary F tuba with a fluid low register and great intonation throughout its range. This tuba works well for the soloist, soars over an orchestra, or blends well with a quintet.
- Key of F, 4/4 size
- .667" - .820" bore
- 16.5" yellow or gold brass, upright bell
- 5 right hand rotary valves
- Clear lacquer or unlacquered finish
- Laskey 28K US mouthpiece
- Deluxe case w/wheels
EBC836
The EBC836 is a 6/4 size tuba inspired by the legendary York orchestral CC tuba. This large tuba is at home on stage with a symphony orchestra or concert band, in the pit of an opera or ballet orchestra, and is nimble enough to play in small chamber ensembles. The next generation 6/4 tuba has arrived!
- Key of CC, 6/4 size
- .750" bore
- 20" upright bell
- 4 front-action pistons + 5th rotary valve
- Clear lacquer or unlacquered finish
- Laskey 30H EU mouthpiece
- Deluxe case w/wheels