Honolulu, Hawaii – T.J. Ricer (BM ’02 in tuba performance), has won a position playing tuba with the Royal Hawaiian Band, based in Honolulu, Hawaii, it has been announced by the organization.

“I am incredibly pleased and proud to join such a wonderful organization with such a rich history,” writes Ricer, who holds a MM from the University of Tennessee and a doctorate in performance from the Eastman School of Music.

The 29-piece band was established 176 years ago by King Kamehameha III, and is the only band in America with a royal legacy. A department unto itself as part of the City and County of Honolulu, the ensemble is the only full-time municipal band in the US and performs over 300 concerts a year at venues ranging from the grounds of the Iolani Palace to Retirement Communities and Elementary Schools.Previous to his permanent appointment with the band, Ricer had been subbing with the band since last year and working as acting principal tubist with the Hawaii Symphony and Pops. He will be join the music faculty at the University of Hawaii-Manoa in the fall of this year as lecturer of tuba, euphonium and music education.

“The numbers are a bit down in the tuba and euphonium studios, so if you are interested in pursuing a BM, BA, BE, MM, MA, or PhD and would like to study at one of the most beautiful places on earth, please consider checking out UH,” he says.