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Former Members
Chris Gekker, trumpet
Robert Biddlecome, bass trombone
Upon returning to New York, Mr. Biddlecome’s first performing opportunity was with the Goldman Band, under Richard Franko Goldman. He remained with the band for three summers; two as a trombonist and one as solo euphonium. Following his first season with Goldman, he made an extensive tour with the NY City Ballet, under Robert Irving, playing both trombone and euphonium, followed by running off to finish the season as a member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra under Peter Herman Adler. Next came what would turn out to be one of the most important auditions he would ever take, to replace Gilbert Cohen, who was leaving the fledgling American Brass Quintet in order to join the New York Philharmonic. He got the job and shortly afterwards was offered the bass trombone position with the NY City Ballet Orchestra. From this point on, he became a bass trombonist, who also doubled on euphonium. He performed throughout the world as a member of the American Brass Quintet for twenty-eight years, until he left the group in 1990, and may be heard on more than thirty recordings with the ABQ. It was during his tenure that the ABQ began its ongoing commissioning program, made its first recordings, made its first international tours, started the Aspen and Juilliard residencies and became recognized as the premier brass ensemble that it remains today. Despite his busy performing schedule, Mr. Biddlecome managed to return to Juilliard and obtain both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Mr. Biddlecome is still an active performing musician and bass trombonist of the New York City Ballet Orchestra and the American Composers Orchestra and also plays frequently with the New York City Opera. For twenty years he was bass trombonist of the American Symphony Orchestra, under Music Directors Leopold Stokowski, Kazuyoshi Akiyama, Sergiu Comissiona, Giuseppe Patane, Moshe Atzmon, Catherine Comet, John Mauceri and Leon Botstein. In addition he was bass trombonist of the Musica Aeterna Orchestra, did a Broadway run of 110 in the Shade and has played bass trombone with the Aspen Festival Orchestra since 1970. Presently Executive Director of The American Brass Chamber Music Association, Mr. Biddlecome also served for many years as a board member of Chamber Music America, as a board member and president of the American Symphony Orchestra, and for more than twenty years was a member of the Aspen Music Festival administration and Festival Orchestra Manager from 1970 to 1997. He has been a faculty member at Brooklyn College Conservatory, the Mannes School of Music and the Juilliard School.
Adjunct lecturer, Seattle Washington; consultant for musical and presenting
organizations nation-wide; former managing director and executive vice president, Seattle
Symphony Orchestra; former director, Music Program, National Endowment for the Arts;
former orchestra manager, Boston Symphony Orchestra; former executive director, Los
Angeles Chamber Orchestra; former managing partner/performing artist, American Brass
Quintet. |
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Chris
Gekker is currently Associate Professor of trumpet at the School of Music at
the University of Maryland, having previously served on the faculties of The
Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music and Columbia University. He was
a member of the world-renowned American Brass Quintet for eighteen years, as
well as principal trumpet for the Orchestra of St. Luke's. He has performed and
recorded frequently with various other groups, such as the Orpheus Chamber
Orchestra and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and remains in demand
with these organizations. Mr. Gekker appears as soloist on numerous recordings.
His recording of solos by Hovhaness won "Best Recording on an Independent
Label" in 1994 by Billboard magazine. He has been a featured soloist at
Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, as well as throughout the United States,
Europe, and Asia. Mr. Gekker has recorded and performed with many jazz and
popular artists. At the 1998 Rainforest Benefit in Carnegie Hall, he was a
featured soloist with Sting and Elton John. His solo trumpet is also prominent
in the recent movie, "The Thin Red Line."
Robert Biddlecome (bass trombone, euphonium) began his music studies with
piano lessons and later took up the euphonium, then the trombone. With only a few lessons
he demonstrated a musical talent that brought encouragement from his teachers to continue
his studies and to follow a musical career. Upon graduating from high school, he decided
that the trombone was his instrument of choice and undertook studies with the great
trombonist and euphonium soloist, Simone Mantia. He progressed rapidly with Mantia, who
immediately recognized his potential and after one year recommended that he audition for
Juilliard. He was accepted as a student of Roger Smith and graduated with a diploma in
trombone in 1952. While at Juilliard he gained considerable orchestra experience under
conductor Jean Morel. At the same time he was a member of the National Orchestral
Association Orchestra conducted by Leon Barzin. At graduation he had already been playing
with the Radio City Music Hall Orchestra, played under Fritz Reiner at the Metropolitan
Opera, and seemed to be on his way. Nevertheless, he decided to join the United States
Army Band in Washington, DC, where he was assistant first trombone, alongside Keig Garvin,
for four years. He then moved to the solo euphonium chair and held that position for five
years, until he left the Band in 1961 to return to New York and further pursue his
"classical" music aspirations.
