Wister Quartet

Nancy Bean, violin :: Davyd Booth, violin :: Pamela Fay, viola :: Lloyd Smith, cello
(Members of the Philadelphia Orchestra)

Since its formation in 1987, the Wister Quartet has earned high praise from critics and audiences alike for its superb musicianship and memorable performances. In addition to concerts in Europe and China, the Quartet performs regularly in concert series presented by The Philadelphia Orchestra, The German Society of Pennsylvania, The Chamber Music Society of Bethlehem, and the Glencairn Museum.  In the summertime they’ve appeared at such places as Music at Gretna, the Lenape Chamber Players Gala Concerts in Doylestown, and the Chamber Series at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. The Quartet has recorded for Direct-to-Tape Records; its first CD was nominated for a Grammy. It is the core group of the popular Philadelphia chamber ensemble, 1807 & Friends, which performs at Philadelphia's Academy of Vocal Arts. 1807 & Friends’ recent recording on the Direct-to-Tape label, “The Philadelphia Connection”, features the Wister Quartet’s highly acclaimed performance of the Barber String Quartet.

Carol Jantsch, tuba

Carol Jantsch's musical career started with piano lessons at the age of six, then euphonium lessons at nine, graduating to the tuba at age twelve. She attended the prestigious arts boarding school, Interlochen Arts Academy, for three years, earning her high school diploma as salutatorian of her class. She continued her studies at the University of Michigan under the tutelage of Fritz Kaenzig. During this time, Carol was very active with auditions and competitions, winning first place in four international solo tuba competitions, and receiving laureates at several others. While still a senior in college, she won her position with the Philadelphia Orchestra. She then graduated with her BM from the University of Michigan, also receiving the Albert A. Stanley medal, the highest honor awarded to an undergraduate student in the School of Music. Carol began her appointment with the Philadelphia Orchestra in August of 2006 as the first female tuba player in a major symphony orchestra.