Paul Mergen

Paul Mergen is a distinguished tuba player and educator with a rich background in performance and teaching. He served as a member of the United States Marine Band, “The President's Own,” from 2004 to 2014.  During his tenure, he performed at numerous high-profile events and collaborated with esteemed musicians, including his brother, trumpeter Michael Mergen.​

After his service with the Marine Band, Mergen transitioned into academia. In January 2017, he joined Indiana State University as a tuba instructor and became a member of the ISU faculty brass quintet.  His dedication to education was further recognized when he was appointed Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at Indiana State University. In this role, he has been celebrated for outstanding performances, such as his rendition of Philip Sparke’s Tuba Concerto.

Mergen’s commitment to advancing tuba repertoire is evident through his commissioning of new works. Notably, he and his brother Michael commissioned “Hanging by a Thread,” a concerto for solo trumpet, solo tuba, and wind ensemble, composed by James M. Stephenson. This piece was premiered at the Sydney International Brass Festival. 

In addition to his teaching and commissioning efforts, Mergen actively engages in performances and recitals. For instance, he participated in the Faculty Recital Series alongside horn player Brian Kilp at Indiana State University.