Constance Weldon

Constance Weldon (January 25, 1932 – August 7, 2020) was an American tuba player, who was the first woman to play the instrument in a major American orchestra.

Early life Constance Janet Weldon was born in Winter Haven, Florida, on January 25, 1932. Her father, George, was a groundskeeper and soon after Weldon was born the family moved to Miami, where he worked on the Vizcaya estate. She moved from Boston to perform with the North Carolina Symphony from 1956 to 1957. During her time there she was the founder and director of the University of Miami Tuba Ensemble. The foundation of tuba chamber music ensembles by Weldon was pioneering. She taught at the university until her retirement in 1991. Many of her students became notable tuba players, including: Mike Roylance, principal tuba at the Boston Symphony Orchestra; James Jenkins, principal with the Jacksonville Symphony; Sam Pilafian, founder of Empire Brass.

Awards 1991 – University of Miami's Distinguished Alumna Award 2004 – International Tuba and Euphonium Association's Lifetime Achievement Award