Carol Jantsch (Camp 94-96, 98-99, Academy 99-02) wasn't surprised when she was not asked to audition for a tuba vacancy at the Philadelphia Orchestra. A position at a top-five orchestra seemed like a long-shot for a 20-year-old.

Yet, several months after being discouraged from even auditioning for the spot, Carol has earned a seat with the highly regarded orchestra and become one of the youngest musicians in the country to play with a major orchestra.

Some Interlochen patrons and NPR listeners may recall seeing or hearing Carol Jantsch perform "Flight of the Bumblebee," complete with costume, at Collage and for a recording of "From the Top."

Unbeknownst to Carol, she set the process in motion when she applied to an altogether different program, the Bar Harbor Brass Week, whose Music Director, Blair Bollinger, also happens to be the bass trombonist for the Philadelphia Orchestra. While reviewing audition tapes, he was struck by Carol’s performance of the first movement of Aram Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto, which she had transcribed for tuba. He felt that she should, at least, have an opportunity to audition.

The call from Philadelphia for an audition came on a Saturday night in the middle of an ultimate Frisbee tournament. (Ultimate Frisbee is another of Carol’s passions and a sport she learned at Interlochen.)

"I was totally caught off-guard. It was very exciting but I was also pretty anxious," said Carol. "Because I was at the ultimate tournament, I didn't have my horn with me – but I actually appreciated having the day to brainstorm before I dove into preparation!"

With a mother who works as an opera singer, music had always been a way of life for Carol’s family, and musical instruction began early with piano lessons. She started with euphonium in the fifth grade, came to Interlochen as a camper and eventually switched to tuba in junior high. By her freshman year in high school, she reached the top band but felt bored. "I practiced 45 minutes a week and I was fine."

In her fifth summer at Interlochen, Carol caught the attention of Tom Riccobono, who encouraged her to enroll at the Academy. "When I heard her play, I was immediately impressed by her musicianship. She really had the ability to sing through her instrument."

"When I got to the Academy, I met all these people who were better than me, and they were my motivation to start working really hard," Carol said. "It’s a really nurturing place for students to grow together because everyone’s going through the same things. You help each other realize there’s a bigger world out there and push each other to work harder to be the best you can."

Carol’s efforts helped her rise to the top of the 194 candidates for Philadelphia’s vacancy. And her audition went well enough that she was one of several tuba players who played with the orchestra until a permanent hire could be made - all while continuing her studies at the University of Michigan.

After months of auditions and waiting, the selection committee narrowed the decision to three finalists and gathered them in a small room, where Carol and the others were informed that she had been selected. After congratulations were exchanged, she was invited to meet the selection committee. "It was a very unreal feeling. I went into the hall to meet them and shook everyone’s hands. Daniel Matsukawa, the principal bassoonist, said that he wished they could take me out for a drink, but it was still two weeks until I would turn twenty-one!"