Charles Decker holds a Bachelor of Music degree in music education from Eastman School of Music, where he was a student of Sidney Mear, a three-year member of the famous Eastman Wind Ensemble, principal trumpet of the conservatory's premiere orchestra, the Eastman Philharmonia, and performed with the Rochester Philharmonic. Following graduation, he became solo cornet and trumpet soloist with the U.S. Army Field Band of Washington, D.C., which toured the United States, Canada, and Central and South America.
After discharge, he received a fellowship to the Berkshire Music Center (Tanglewood), summer home of the Boston Symphony, where he studied in master classes with Armando Ghitalla and Roger Voisin. He received a Master of Music degree in trumpet performance from Northwestern University where he studied with Vincent Cichowicz, and holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in trumpet performance from the University of Texas where he studied with Raymond Crisara. During his two years as doctoral candidate, he performed with the University of Texas Faculty Brass Quintet and the only brass soloist to perform with the University Orchestra. He has been a member of the Colorado Philharmonic, Berkshire Music Center Orchestra, Austin Symphony, and principal trumpet of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.
Appointed to Tennessee Tech's faculty in 1981, he is first trumpet of the Bryan Symphony Orchestra, TTU's professional orchestra, and appears often as a recitalist and soloist with university ensembles. As first trumpet and musical director of the faculty Brass Arts Chamber Quintet, he has recorded two compact discs and performed with the group in four nationally distributed public television concert specials. He recently recorded a university funded album of recital music for trumpet and piano.
In various roles as a clinician, performer, conductor, and arranger, he has appeared at major music conferences in 13 states and International Trumpet Guild Conferences. He has written articles for the Instrumentalist, Tennessee Musician, International Trumpet Guild Journal, NACWPI Journal, BD Guide and his published 17 works with Encore Music, Medici Music Press, and Kendor Music have sold more than 10,000 copies. His arrangements and compositions have been performed by students and professionals in the United States, Europe, and Russia.
As director of the Tennessee Tech University Trumpet Ensemble, he is a leading figure in the development of music for trumpet ensembles of more than five parts. Works created for the TTU Trumpet Ensemble have been performed by professionals at national and international trumpet conferences. More than 70 works have been premiered by the group giving it a repertoire which spans from the Renaissance through the 20th century, and includes jazz and pop arrangements. The ensemble has performed at universities, conferences, and competitions, and is the first trumpet ensemble to perform a complete concert at the internationally famous Streitweiser Trumpet Museum.
He is the founder and coordinator for the annual Tennessee Trumpet Competition and Trumpet Seminar held at TTU and has been the trumpet instructor for the Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts for three summers. TTU undergraduate trumpet students have competed successfully at the national level, been awarded major scholarships to summer music festivals, become successful educators, attended graduate music schools as scholarship students, and performed professionally.
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This page maintained by John Gardner last updated 10-30-00