Profile for Michael Forbes

Brief biography

Mike Forbes (b. 1973) is “…an outstanding tubist with a solid, colorful tone, terrific technical skills, and dramatic flair” (American Record Guide). Today, he is the Principal Tubist with the La Crosse Symphony and Manitowoc Symphony Orchestras and Low Brass Instructor at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He is an internationally renowned soloist, composer, soloist, chamber musician, recording artist, and pedagogue.

In 2015, Dr. Forbes released his 2nd solo album featuring his own compositions for solo tuba. This album, "Forbes Plays Forbes" can be found in the Summit Records catalogue along with his first solo album, "Forbes Plays Koetsier" and five other albums with the Sotto Voce Tuba Quartet and two albums from the Isthmus Brass. He also collaborated on three recently released chamber music albums:  "Full Tilt" with Sergio Carolino,  "Alec Wilder Four Suites" on Albany Records and "Snapshots" with euphonium virtuoso, Demondrae Thurman.

Staff Sergeant Forbes began his career as a tubist with the U.S. Army Band, "Pershing’s Own" and subsequently served on the music faculties at a number of universities from the East Coast to the Midwest. He is an active soloist, high in demand throughout around the world. This past year he performed and taught at music conservatories and festivals in Norway, Taiwan, Portugal, and Mexico.  He has given similar residencies in Spain, France, Puerto Rico, and Canada. As the founder and manager of the Isthmus Brass and the Sotto Voce Quartet, Forbes enjoys performing and recording exhilarating chamber music with his colleagues around the globe.

Dr. Forbes has received numerous awards and accolades for his compositions and is regularly commissioned by notable brass artists and band directors. He has won the Dallas Wind Symphony Fanfare Composition contest numerous times, and his compositions have been given awards of merit by the U.S. Army Band, Humboldt Brass Festival, and the International Tuba-Euphonium Association. He has been commissioned by the National Band Association of Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Music Association, International Tuba/Euphonium Association, Geneva Tuba Forum and numerous wind and brass bands around the world.

Mike is a Yamaha Performing Artist and performs on a Yamaha Custom 822 F Tuba (pictured). He acquired this instrument in 2001 from one of his teachers:  renowned tubist, Toby Hanks.