Keith first started playing tuba in 1964 when
he wanted to play in the high school band. At the time, Keith played the clarinet, but the band director told him he didn't need additional clarinet players. Instead, what he really
needed was tuba players. So after a few weeks of practice, he was playing tuba in the band.After high school, Keith enlisted the Navy and while attending school at Great Lakes, Ill. he played in the local Navy sponsered band, marching in parades and playing military concerts in and around the Chicago area. When school was finished, the tuba was put away for 20 years while he completed his career in the Submarine Service.
When a friend mentioned she had band practice one evening, Keith told her he was considering playing again. When asked what instrument he played, the answer resulted in her 'forcefully' escorting Keith to meet the band director. Peter Davis, director of the Salve Regina Community Band, loaned Keith a rather beat-up but playable tuba and got him started playing again. After a few years playing there, he joined the Warwick Symphony and has been playing with us since that time.
In addition to the WSO, Keith plays in the Wakefield Civic Band and participates in the annual Christmas and Spring Tubaphonia events held in North Kingstown.