New Orleans Symphony Trumpet Section

allstarbugler · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 6:48 am Post subject:

Gilbert Mitchell was the principle for 2 seasons: 1944-1945 and 1945-1946. He was preceded by Hans Kelter but he did not know how long Kelter was there.

Following Gil Mitchell was a fellow by the name of Jenkins, who was then followed by Gil Johnson but the dates are not clear.

Now when Gil was principle during the 44-45 season, Walter Pavlovski was 2nd trumpet and Mike Kaplan was 3rd trumpet.

During the 45-46 season John "Jack" Pinto was 2nd trumpet and Mike Kalpan was 3rd trumpet.

[ This Message was edited by: allstarbugler on 2004-04-12 09:50 ]

[ This Message was edited by: allstarbugler on 2004-04-12 10:10 ]

allstarbugler · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 2:39 pm Post subject:

Any reason this orchestra is not included?

Derek Reaban · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 11:02 pm Post subject:

Mark,

I can certainly include this group on our lists. Is this the Louisana Philharmonic Orchestra? Were they once the New Orleans Symphony, or are they two different organizations?

Thanks,
_________________
Derek Reaban
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe Winds / Symphony of the Southwest

AverageJoe · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 7:42 am Post subject:

I know that the N.O. Symphony had some struggles in the past...they disbanded sometime in the 1990's, and they may have reorganized as the Louisiana Philharmonic in New Orleans.

I know two former members. The first is Paul Randall (current principal with NC Symphony). Paul was 2nd trumpet with N.O. from 1973-77, and was principal from 78-88. The other is Mary Weber (freelancing in St. Louis last I heard). I am reasonably sure that Mary was the last principal of the N.O. Symphony before they disbanded.

Paul Poovey

Derek Reaban · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 7:55 am Post subject:

Paul,

Thanks for the input! This gives us a start to our list along with what Mark has already provided. I'll put this in our folder soon.

Thanks again,
_________________
Derek Reaban
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe Winds / Symphony of the Southwest

allstarbugler · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 8:49 am Post subject:

I emailed John Tafoya at NOS and am awaiting a reply. Will keep you posted. Thanks!!

Derek Reaban · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 9:25 am Post subject:

Mark,

Here is the New Orleans ensemble in our format. I’m assuming that the New Orleans Symphony / Philharmonic became the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra after a reorganization. If this is not correct, please let me know.

New Orleans Symphony / Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Principal Trumpet Players

Start-End________Name

199?-Current_______Vance Woolf
New Orleans Symphony Disbanded (Late 1990s)
1988-199?_________Mary Weber
1978-1988_________Paul Randall
1958-1978_________???
1953-1958_________Gilbert Johnson
1946-1953_________Mr. Jenkins (End date?)
1944-1946_________Gilbert Mitchell
19??-1944_________Hans Kelter
19??-19??_________???

Web Site: http://www.lpomusic.com/musician/index.html#trumpet

Current roster for the 2003-2004 Season:
Vance Woolf – Principal Trumpet
Michael Bucalo
Ronald Benko – Associate Principal

Reference:
In on Page 5 of the May 1999 ITG Journal article by David Champouillon entitled “Gilbert Johnson: Artist and Teacher”, Gil Johnson was Principal Trumpet with the New Orleans Philharmonic from 1952 to 1958 before he joined The Philadelphia Orchestra: http://www.trumpetguild.org/pdf/1999journal/9905cham.pdf
_________________
Derek Reaban
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe Winds / Symphony of the Southwest

wiseone2 · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 9:40 am Post subject:

Paul Oman played principal in the sixties. Norman Smith was principal a little later.
Wilmer

Derek Reaban · Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2004 9:25 am Post subject:

Wilmer,

Thanks for the input. I have included Paul Oman and Norman Smith on our list. I found some references to Norman Smith on the Internet (recordings with Gerard Schwarz) but no other details. I could find nothing for Paul Oman.

New Orleans Symphony / Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Principal Trumpet Players

Start-End________Name

199?-Current_______Vance Woolf
New Orleans Symphony Disbanded (Late 1990s)
1988-199?_________Mary Weber
1978-1988_________Paul Randall
196?-197?_________Norman Smith
196?-196?_________Paul Oman
1953-1958_________Gilbert Johnson
1946-1953_________Mr. Jenkins (End date?)
1944-1946_________Gilbert Mitchell
19??-1944_________Hans Kelter
19??-19??_________???

Web Site: http://www.lpomusic.com/musician/index.html#trumpet

Current roster for the 2003-2004 Season:
Vance Woolf – Principal Trumpet
Michael Bucalo
Ronald Benko – Associate Principal

Reference:
In on Page 5 of the May 1999 ITG Journal article by David Champouillon entitled “Gilbert Johnson: Artist and Teacher”, Gil Johnson was Principal Trumpet with the New Orleans Philharmonic from 1952 to 1958 before he joined The Philadelphia Orchestra: http://www.trumpetguild.org/pdf/1999journal/9905cham.pdf
_________________
Derek Reaban
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe Winds / Symphony of the Southwest

ScottA · Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 12:32 pm Post subject:

Tom Wohlwender followed Gil Johnson as principal in New Orleans and stayed there for 2 years before leaving to play 2nd trumpet in Cleveland under George Szell.

Derek Reaban · Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 1:10 pm Post subject:

Scott,

Thanks for the reference to Thomas Wohlwender. I found the ITG article by John Almeida with the specific details. We’re making progress with this list!

New Orleans Symphony / Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Principal Trumpet Players

Start-End________Name

199?-Current_______Vance Woolf
New Orleans Symphony Disbanded (Late 1990s)
1988-199?_________Mary Weber
1978-1988_________Paul Randall
196?-197?_________Norman Smith
196?-196?_________Paul Oman
1958-1960_________Thomas Wohlwender
1953-1958_________Gilbert Johnson
1946-1953_________Mr. Jenkins (End date?)
1944-1946_________Gilbert Mitchell
19??-1944_________Hans Kelter
19??-19??_________???

Web Site: http://www.lpomusic.com/musician/index.html#trumpet

Current roster for the 2003-2004 Season:
Vance Woolf – Principal Trumpet
Michael Bucalo
Ronald Benko – Associate Principal

Reference:
On Page 5 of the May 1999 ITG Journal article by David Champouillon entitled “Gilbert Johnson: Artist and Teacher”, Gil Johnson was Principal Trumpet with the New Orleans Philharmonic from 1952 to 1958 before he joined The Philadelphia Orchestra: http://www.trumpetguild.org/pdf/1999journal/9905cham.pdf

On Page 18 of the September 1995 ITG Journal article by John Almeida entitled “An Interview with Thomas Wohlwender: 2nd Trumpet, Cleveland Orchestra 1960-1972”, “After playing principal trumpet in Denver for one year (1957-1958), I played principal in New Orleans Symphony for two years" http://www.trumpetguild.org/journal/s95/9509Alme.pdf

_________________
Derek Reaban
Tempe, Arizona

[ This Message was edited by: derek reaban on 2004-05-03 11:12 ]

Derek Reaban · Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 9:49 pm Post subject:

I found details concerning the “folding” of the New Orleans Symphony and it’s reorganization as the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in an ITG Journal article. I’m guessing on the exact dates that Paul Merkelo was the principal trumpet based on the text in the article, but he was the principal trumpet during this reorganization period. If I have the dates wrong, please let me know. I know they’re close, but I may be slightly off.

New Orleans Symphony / Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Principal Trumpet Players

Start-End________Name

199?-Current_______Vance Woolf
1993-199?_________Mary Weber (Not certain about these dates)
1992-1993_________Paul Merkelo
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra reorganized (1992)
New Orleans Symphony Disbanded (1990)
1988-1990_________Paul Merkelo
1978-1988_________Paul Randall
196?-197?_________Norman Smith
196?-196?_________Paul Oman
1958-1960_________Thomas Wohlwender
1953-1958_________Gilbert Johnson
1946-1953_________Mr. Jenkins (End date?)
1944-1946_________Gilbert Mitchell
19??-1944_________Hans Kelter
19??-19??_________???

Web Site: http://www.lpomusic.com/musician/index.html#trumpet

Current roster for the 2003-2004 Season:
Vance Woolf – Principal Trumpet
Michael Bucalo
Ronald Benko – Associate Principal

Reference:
On Page 5 of the May 1999 ITG Journal article by David Champouillon entitled “Gilbert Johnson: Artist and Teacher”, Gil Johnson was Principal Trumpet with the New Orleans Philharmonic from 1952 to 1958 before he joined The Philadelphia Orchestra: http://www.trumpetguild.org/pdf/1999journal/9905cham.pdf

On Page 18 of the September 1995 ITG Journal article by John Almeida entitled “An Interview with Thomas Wohlwender: 2nd Trumpet, Cleveland Orchestra 1960-1972”, “After playing principal trumpet in Denver for one year (1957-1958), I played principal in New Orleans Symphony for two years" http://www.trumpetguild.org/journal/s95/9509Alme.pdf

On Page 35 of the May 1999 ITG Journal article by P. Bradley Unrich entitled “Paul Merkelo – Trumpeter for the 21st Century”, “My senior year at Eastman I auditioned for and won the principal trumpet position with the New Orleans Symphony where I played for three seasons. It soon folded and I was unemployed for about six months. I went to play briefly with the New World Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas. After six months in Miami, I went back to New Orleans because the orchestra reorganized as the Louisiana Philharmonic. As soon as I returned, I won the principal trumpet position in the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. After honoring my Louisiana contract, I played with Rochester from 1993 until 1995.” http://www.trumpetguild.org/pdf/1999journal/9905ulri.pdf
_________________
Derek Reaban
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe Winds / Symphony of the Southwest

Derek Reaban · Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 7:56 am Post subject:

Wilmer has found dates for Paul Oman, so I have updated our list. Thanks Wilmer!

New Orleans Symphony / Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Principal Trumpet Players

Start-End________Name

199?-Current_______Vance Woolf
1993-199?_________Mary Weber (Not certain about these dates)
1992-1993_________Paul Merkelo
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra reorganized (1992)
New Orleans Symphony Disbanded (1990)
1988-1990_________Paul Merkelo
1978-1988_________Paul Randall
196?-197?_________Norman Smith
1963-196?_________???
1961-1963_________Paul Oman
1960-1961_________???
1958-1960_________Thomas Wohlwender
1953-1958_________Gilbert Johnson
1946-1953_________Mr. Jenkins (End date?)
1944-1946_________Gilbert Mitchell
19??-1944_________Hans Kelter
19??-19??_________???

Web Site: http://www.lpomusic.com/musician/index.html#trumpet

Current roster for the 2003-2004 Season:
Vance Woolf – Principal Trumpet
Michael Bucalo
Ronald Benko – Associate Principal

Reference:
On Page 5 of the May 1999 ITG Journal article by David Champouillon entitled “Gilbert Johnson: Artist and Teacher”, Gil Johnson was Principal Trumpet with the New Orleans Philharmonic from 1952 to 1958 before he joined The Philadelphia Orchestra: http://www.trumpetguild.org/pdf/1999journal/9905cham.pdf

On Page 18 of the September 1995 ITG Journal article by John Almeida entitled “An Interview with Thomas Wohlwender: 2nd Trumpet, Cleveland Orchestra 1960-1972”, “After playing principal trumpet in Denver for one year (1957-1958), I played principal in New Orleans Symphony for two years" http://www.trumpetguild.org/journal/s95/9509Alme.pdf

On Page 35 of the May 1999 ITG Journal article by P. Bradley Unrich entitled “Paul Merkelo – Trumpeter for the 21st Century”, “My senior year at Eastman I auditioned for and won the principal trumpet position with the New Orleans Symphony where I played for three seasons. It soon folded and I was unemployed for about six months. I went to play briefly with the New World Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas. After six months in Miami, I went back to New Orleans because the orchestra reorganized as the Louisiana Philharmonic. As soon as I returned, I won the principal trumpet position in the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. After honoring my Louisiana contract, I played with Rochester from 1993 until 1995.” http://www.trumpetguild.org/pdf/1999journal/9905ulri.pdf

Paul Oman reference provided by Wilmer Wise.
_________________
Derek Reaban
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe Winds / Symphony of the Southwest

LarryP · New Member Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 10

Don Tison might be the missing player in between Oman and Smith during the sixties. I studied with Tison for two and half years while he was in Baltimore and I am fairly certain he was Principal in New Orleans before he came to the BSO.

wiseone2 · Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 11:37 am Post subject:

Derek Reaban · Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 11:48 am Post subject:

Larry and Wilmer,

Thanks for the input on Don Tison. I am making some assumptions on the dates in our list, and we will use these until specific references can be found. Since Don Tison became Principal Trumpet in Baltimore in 1969, I’m assuming that he held this position from 1963 until 1969 (between Norman Smith and Paul Oman). I’ve also plugged in dates for Norman Smith (1969 – 1978), assuming that he was the only player between Don Tison and Paul Randall.

Does anyone know when the New Orleans Symphony was founded (before it was the Louisiana Philharmonic)?

New Orleans Symphony / Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Principal Trumpet Players

Start-End________Name

199?-Current_______Vance Woolf
1993-199?_________Mary Weber (Not certain about these dates)
1992-1993_________Paul Merkelo
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra reorganized (1992)
New Orleans Symphony Disbanded (1990)
1988-1990_________Paul Merkelo
1978-1988_________Paul Randall
1969-1978_________Norman Smith
1963-1969_________Donald Tison
1961-1963_________Paul Oman
1960-1961_________???
1958-1960_________Thomas Wohlwender
1953-1958_________Gilbert Johnson
1946-1953_________Mr. Jenkins (End date?)
1944-1946_________Gilbert Mitchell
19??-1944_________Hans Kelter
19??-19??_________???

Web Site: http://www.lpomusic.com/musician/index.html#trumpet

Current roster for the 2003-2004 Season:
Vance Woolf – Principal Trumpet
Michael Bucalo
Ronald Benko – Associate Principal

Reference:
On Page 5 of the May 1999 ITG Journal article by David Champouillon entitled “Gilbert Johnson: Artist and Teacher”, Gil Johnson was Principal Trumpet with the New Orleans Philharmonic from 1952 to 1958 before he joined The Philadelphia Orchestra: http://www.trumpetguild.org/pdf/1999journal/9905cham.pdf

On Page 18 of the September 1995 ITG Journal article by John Almeida entitled “An Interview with Thomas Wohlwender: 2nd Trumpet, Cleveland Orchestra 1960-1972”, “After playing principal trumpet in Denver for one year (1957-1958), I played principal in New Orleans Symphony for two years" http://www.trumpetguild.org/journal/s95/9509Alme.pdf

On Page 35 of the May 1999 ITG Journal article by P. Bradley Unrich entitled “Paul Merkelo – Trumpeter for the 21st Century”, “My senior year at Eastman I auditioned for and won the principal trumpet position with the New Orleans Symphony where I played for three seasons. It soon folded and I was unemployed for about six months. I went to play briefly with the New World Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas. After six months in Miami, I went back to New Orleans because the orchestra reorganized as the Louisiana Philharmonic. As soon as I returned, I won the principal trumpet position in the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. After honoring my Louisiana contract, I played with Rochester from 1993 until 1995.” http://www.trumpetguild.org/pdf/1999journal/9905ulri.pdf

Paul Oman reference provided by Wilmer Wise.

Donald Tison reference provided by LarryP and Wilmer Wise.
_________________
Derek Reaban
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe Winds / Symphony of the Southwest

allstarbugler · Posted: Mon May 31, 2004 5:37 pm Post subject:

Derek,

I recieved the following email from Jim Atwood which should fill in a few blanks.

Mark,

I've gathered the following...
New Orleans Symphony
Don Tyson, some years before '65 to around 1972
Norm Smith, around '72 to '77
Paul Randall, 77 to 88(?)
Mary Weber, '88 - '89
Paul Merkelo, '89 - '93
Cheryl Hollinger, '93 - 97 (?)
Vance Woolf, 97 to present

The New Orleans Symphony folded in September of '89, we started giving concerts as the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in January of 1990; same players.

All the records from the N.O. Sym. are gone, so the dates listed above are not guaranteed.

Best Regards,
Jim Atwood

bftrumpet · Posted: Mon May 31, 2004 6:35 pm Post subject:

The starting date for Vance Woolf in New Orleans has to be 1999, not 1997. He was Gil Johnson's TA at the University of Miami just before I was the TA there and I started in the fall of 1999. That means, he left Miami around the spring/summer of 1999. I'm going to see him in Denver at ITG for the Tribute to Gil Johnson that we will both be participating in. Hope to see some of you there. Mr. Johnson was a great man and a fantastic musician and is truly missed by many people.

Ben Fairfield

Derek Reaban · Posted: Mon May 31, 2004 8:23 pm Post subject:

Mark,

Thanks for following up with additional information for the players and their dates of tenure with the Louisiana Philharmonic / New Orleans Symphony. For Donald Tison, I will keep the dates that I received from Wilmer. Certainly the end date of 1969, that aligns with his move to Principal trumpet with the Baltimore Symphony, and knowing that Paul Oman who preceded him in the chair left in 1963. Norman Smith’s starting date would then need to be 1969 as it is currently shown on the list. I have included Mary Weber in the chair from 1988 to 1989 between Paul Randall and Paul Merkelo. I have added Cheryl Hollinger from 1993 to 1999 (instead of 1997) based on the input from Ben Fairfield who puts Vance Woolf’s start date at 1999 (thanks Ben!).

Does anyone know when the New Orleans Symphony played their first season?

Thanks!!!

New Orleans Symphony / Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Principal Trumpet Players

Start-End________Name

1999-Current_______Vance Woolf
1993-1999_________Cheryl Hollinger
1990-1993_________Paul Merkelo
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra reorganized (1990)
New Orleans Symphony Disbanded (1989)
1989-1989_________Paul Merkelo
1988-1989_________Mary Weber
1977-1988_________Paul Randall
1969-1977_________Norman Smith
1963-1969_________Donald Tison
1961-1963_________Paul Oman
1960-1961_________???
1958-1960_________Thomas Wohlwender
1953-1958_________Gilbert Johnson
1946-1953_________Mr. Jenkins (End date?)
1944-1946_________Gilbert Mitchell
19??-1944_________Hans Kelter
19??-19??_________???

Web Site: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra Trumpet Section

Current roster for the 2003-2004 Season:
Vance Woolf – Principal Trumpet
Michael Bucalo
Ronald Benko – Associate Principal

Reference:
On Page 5 of the May 1999 ITG Journal article by David Champouillon entitled “Gilbert Johnson: Artist and Teacher”, Gil Johnson was Principal Trumpet with the New Orleans Philharmonic from 1952 to 1958 before he joined The Philadelphia Orchestra: http://www.trumpetguild.org/pdf/1999journal/9905cham.pdf

On Page 18 of the September 1995 ITG Journal article by John Almeida entitled “An Interview with Thomas Wohlwender: 2nd Trumpet, Cleveland Orchestra 1960-1972”, “After playing principal trumpet in Denver for one year (1957-1958), I played principal in New Orleans Symphony for two years" http://www.trumpetguild.org/journal/s95/9509Alme.pdf

On Page 35 of the May 1999 ITG Journal article by P. Bradley Unrich entitled “Paul Merkelo – Trumpeter for the 21st Century”, “My senior year at Eastman I auditioned for and won the principal trumpet position with the New Orleans Symphony where I played for three seasons. It soon folded and I was unemployed for about six months. I went to play briefly with the New World Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas. After six months in Miami, I went back to New Orleans because the orchestra reorganized as the Louisiana Philharmonic. As soon as I returned, I won the principal trumpet position in the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. After honoring my Louisiana contract, I played with Rochester from 1993 until 1995.” http://www.trumpetguild.org/pdf/1999journal/9905ulri.pdf

Paul Oman reference provided by Wilmer Wise.

Donald Tison reference provided by LarryP and Wilmer Wise.
_________________
Derek Reaban
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe Winds / Symphony of the Southwest