ROCHESTER , NY — Chuck Daellenbach, internationally acclaimed tuba player and one of the founding members of the Canadian Brass, will return to his alma mater, the Eastman School of Music, later this month to address the School’s graduating class of 2005. The annual commencement ceremony for undergraduate and master’s degree students will begin at 11:15 a.m., Sunday, May 15, 2005, in Eastman Theatre, 60 Gibbs St. (The doctoral commencement ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 14.) More than 250 students will receive their degrees.
Known for his formative role and his continued leadership of the Canadian Brass — an ensemble hailed as “ the world’s most popular brass group” by The Brass Herald — Daellenbach and his tuba have added music, imagination and humor to the group since its beginnings in 1970. To audiences around the world, Daellenbach is also admired as a witty stage performer whose improvised banter with trombonist and co-founder Gene Watts is a concert trademark.
Daellenbach chose the Eastman School of Music for his undergraduate work after studying music on a daily basis throughout his Wisconsin childhood. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in 1966 and remained at Eastman for his graduate work, earning his Ph.D. in 1971. Today, Daellenbach spends most of his time on tour with the Brass, performing with many major symphony orchestras in the US, Canada, Europe and Japan, and gaining a large international following through solo performances, television appearances, and more than 75 CD recordings, videos and DVDs.
The Canadian Brass links with the Eastman School of Music this summer to present an innovative brass summer course here during the weekend of July 8-10. This intensive weekend will include a Canadian Brass concert on July 9 in the Eastman Theatre, master classes on individual instruments, and quintets coached by the Canadian Brass. The event will conclude with master class performances by student ensembles. The Canadian Brass invites high school students ages 16 and over, teachers (bring your major or minor brass instrument to perform), and professional players to join them for this unique brass weekend.
“We are proud of all of our alumni, but it is especially gratifying to see one of our former students—and a former classmate of mine here at Eastman—go on to enjoy the level of success Chuck has experienced,” said Eastman Dean James Undercofler. “It’s even more exciting when a distinguished alumnus returns to share his knowledge and expertise with our students. We are delighted to welcome Chuck back home for Commencement, and we look forward to his participation in this summer’s intensive classes.”
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