Growing up, music was part of daily life. My father played trombone, my mother sang in a choir and played piano, and all three of my siblings were musical. At primary school, I sang and played the recorder. Then, at age eight, I moved to the German Tenor Horn. I was still too small for the tuba, which fascinated me with its deep, resonant low notes and the rhythmic pulse it gives an orchestra. It anchors everything.

Michael Sterzinger. Photo © Glenn Hunt

We lived in Mellrichstadt, a small Bavarian town of about 3,500 people. My parents would take me to local festivals, and I’d sit for hours watching the brass bands and wind orchestras – every village had one. It was an early education in the power of live music and ensemble playing.

I finally switched to tuba at 15 when I’d grown big enough to handle it. I loved the idea of driving the orchestra from the bass line, being essential to the music without being in the spotlight.

After a few years of learning an instrument, I joined music camps and youth orchestras, including the Bavarian Youth Orchestra. Being surrounded...