Constance J. Weldon, an educator and the first woman tubist to earn a position in a major symphony orchestra, died on August 7, 2020 in Southport, North Carolina. She was 88 years old.
A native of Winter Haven, Weldon later moved to Miami where she graduated as valedictorian from Miami Jackson High School. She then entered the University of Miami and earned a bachelor’s degree in tuba performance and a master’s degree in education.
In 1954, Weldon attended The Tanglewood Music Festival performing under the direction of Leonard Bernstein. She also played with the Boston Pops Touring Orchestra under the direction of Arthur Fiedler. In 1956 and 1957 she was a member of the North Carolina Symphony. After studying in Europe, Weldon joined the Kansas City Philharmonic for two seasons. She then returned to the Miami area, accepting a position in the Miami Philharmonic Orchestra.
In 1972, Weldon was appointed professor of tuba and the first assistant dean for undergraduate studies at what is now known as the University of Miami Frost School of Music. She taught there for nearly two decades until her retirement in 1991.