Chicago Symphony Trumpeter Solos with Midsummer’s Music

Tage Larsen, the first African American member of the Chicago Symphony in the orchestra’s 107-year history, joins Midsummer’s Music for four performances, June 27 – July 1.

A former member of the United States Marine Band and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Tage will be a guest artist with Midsummer’s Music in Aaron Copland’s Quiet City and in the stirring Septet for trumpet, piano, and strings by the late 19th century French composer, Alphonse Duvernoy. Also on the program is the heroic and exhilarating Quartet for piano and strings by Richard Strauss.

“There was always music playing at home when I was young,” Tage relates. Tage started trumpet in the fourth grade, and his father encouraged him to expand his musical horizons as his musicianship developed. He played in the youth orchestra, the jazz band, participated in music festivals, and continued private study.

Tage earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in 1992 and then went on to complete graduate work at the Eastman School of Music. After one year with the Dallas Brass, he landed the coveted position of Solo Cornet with the “President’s Own” U. S. Marine Band in Washington, D.C., during this period he also served as Principal Trumpet with the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra.

In 2000, he won the audition for the second trumpet position in the St. Louis Symphony. After two years in this position, he got the gold ring on his fifth attempt (against nearly 150 other applicants), and in 2002 earned his position with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

This will be Tage’s second season performing with Midsummer’s Music. He can be heard Friday, June 27, 7:30 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Ephraim; Saturday, June 28, 7:30 pm at St. Joseph Retreat Center in Baileys Harbor; Sunday, June 29, 2 pm at The Clearing in Ellison Bay; and Tuesday, July 1, 7:30 pm at Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church in Ellison Bay.

Tickets are $25 per adult and each concert is followed by an inviting reception where audience members can meet the musicians. For more information, or to make reservations, call 920.854.7088 or visit http://www.midsummerSmusic.com.