Derek Fenstermacher became Principal Tuba of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra in 2011. In addition to his work with the NJSO, Fenstermacher is also Principal Tubist with the Albany Symphony Orchestra. From 2018-2020, he was honored to serve as principal tuba with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Fenstermacher’s first principal appointment was with Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Orchestra from 2006-2014, and he has also performed with with the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Mariinsky Theater Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, the New World Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, Houston Ballet Orchestra, and Alabama Symphony.
A devoted educator, Mr. Fenstermacher has been on faculty at Bard College’s Conservatory of Music since 2012, and this past fall joined the faculty of Manhattan School of Music as Adjunct Professor of Tuba and Chamber Music. He has also taught tuba and euphonium at Montclair State University and Kean University. Since 2016 he has toured nationally with the world- renowned Sotto Voce Quartet, an internationally acclaimed tuba and euphonium quartet, and maintains a regular touring scheduling of masterclasses and performances throughout the United States.
A native of Huntsville Alabama, Mr. Fenstermacher began playing the tuba at the age of 14 and by age 19 he was a featured soloist with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. He received a B.M. from the University of Alabama studying with Demondrae Thurman and James Michael Dunn. He then went on to receive a master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati College- Conservatory of Music with Timothy Northcut, and was pursuing a Performer’s Certificate from the University of Houston with Mark Barton prior to joining New Jersey Symphony.
Mr. Fenstermacher will be joining the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra as interim Principal Tuba for the 2021-2022 season.
Derek Fenstermacher is a Buffet Crampon Performing Artist, and performs on B&S tubas.