Ulrich Haas

Ulli Haas took his first lessons in baritone / euphonium in 1969 from his father, Berthold Haas, who was the Principal Tubist of the WDR Symphony Orchestra in Cologne. Then, in 1973, he started to study tuba with Paul Heims, the Principal Tubist of the Guerzenich Orchester in Cologne. Four years later, in 1977 he was awarded Second Prize for solo tuba at the German youth competition “Jugend Musiziert”, which he would later win in 1979 in the ensemble category. From 1978 until 1982, he played as a member of the Landesjugendorchester Nordrhein-Westfalen. From 1979 until 1983, he studied tuba with Prof. Hans Gelhar at the Music Conservatory in Cologne. His professional career started simultaneously, as he won the post of Principal Tubist of the Staatstheater Kassel in 1982. However, he was there for only one year, as the following season, he became Principal Tubist of the Duisburger Philharmoniker / Deutsche Oper am Rhein, where he still plays to this day. His teaching career began shortly after, as he was appointed Professor of Tuba at the Folkwang-Hochschule Duisburg in 1985. His other chamber music endeavors include performing as the tubist of the Rhein Brass, the quintet of the Duisburger Philharmoniker. He has been a member of the Melton Tuba Quartett since 1987, and now teaches at the Folkwang-Hochschule Essen. Among his successful students are Markus Hoetzel, presently in the NDR Sinfonie Orchster Hamburg, Florian Heinl, presently in the Opera Schwerin, and Sven Kock, solo tubist at the Bielefelder Philharmoniker.