William Roper, performer on the tuba

Folks ask me what I do in life? I tell them, "I play the tuba." Mostly there follows a moment of silence. If I bother to look, it is easy to see their struggle. They really don't want to get off to a bad start in the relationship by immediately laughing in my face. Yet, the tuba?

"It's all right", I tell them. "People have been laughing at me my whole life." Since I was thirteen anyway. Which is when I started on the tuba. Over time I've come to understand their amusement. Even to appreciate it. How serious can such an instrument be taken? Believe me, I'm a serious guy. But I've played the tuba for more than three decades. One thing I've learned: you can't take the tuba too seriously.

Here is a bio of sorts.

Look, I should say that if you want more SERIOUS fare, you should go here.