RIP Bob Rushford

[Denny Schreffler]

—Bob had played principal with the Seventh Army Symphony in Europe, was principal with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and subbed and played extra with CSO in the '60s and '70s until a medical condition impacted his ability to perform at the highest level. He continued in Chicago as a contractor before moving to San Diego and, finally, southern Arizona.

His Chicago Brass Ensemble (a core quintet, augmented as needed) performed - on screen - in Robert Altman's 1978 film, "A Wedding."

In talking about her comeback in 1964 after a six-year layoff, in the Winter 2007 Noteworthy of the International Women's Brass Conference, Bette Eilers responded to Michael Goode's question about, "Who helped you out after you got back into playing again?" with — "Bob Rushford, principal trumpet of the Lyric Opera, really helped me out. He set me up with great musical habits and got me work. His taste was exceptional in music. Rushford did a lot to help musicians. Bob impressed me tremendously as somebody who worked well with people." In a follow-up question - "Who did you play with of note?" Bette begins with, "Besides Rushford and Herseth ..."

Adolph Herseth, Vince Cichowicz, Frank Kaderabek, and Bob Rushford with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Paul Hindemith -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Cu74HDLL0g&t=70s

—Denny

[cbtj51]

[mattdalton]

Thanks for posting the tribute, Denny. Great video find. RIP Mr. Rushford.
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Matt Dalton