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Biography
Adolph Herseth is one of a kind, a true master
recognized For his brilliant musicianship by his
colleagues and audiences the world over.
"Quite possibly the most dazzling player on
his instrument in the world today," noted the
New York Times. And yet he has always found time
to encourage and coach up and coming young brass
players. In the summer of 1983 when he traveled to
Sweden and Denmark, where he was named an honorary
member of the Royal Danish Guild of Trumpeters,
Mr. Herseth shared his expertise by giving a week
long seminar and took time off to coach the brass
sections of orchestras in Malmö and Gothenburg.
The previous summer he participated in activities
of the European Community Youth Orchestra.
This emphasis on education probably stems from
the fact that Mr. Herseth started out to become a
teacher but gravitated to music as a career choice
while he was in the armed forces. A native of
Minnesota, he holds a degree From Luther College
in Decorah, Iowa, and has taught at a number of
universities. During World War II he served as a
bandsman at Iowa pre_flight school and then the
U.S. Navy School of Music. He ended his military
service with the Commander of the Philippine Sea
Frontier in the South Pacific. He was appointed
principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony
Orchestra immediately after graduation from the
New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. His
Chicago years have included numerous solo
appearances with the Orchestra and with Chicago
Symphony brass ensembles. In addition, he has been
active as a soloist with community and regional
musical ensembles and orchestra throughout the
country. Many of his performances can be heard on
recordings prized by aficionados. He holds doctor
of music (honoris causa) degrees From Luther
College and the New England Conservatory of Music.
Mr. Herseth is a charter member of the Symphonic
Hall of Fame of the National Trumpet Symposium
(Denver). He collects jazz records and cooks on
occasion, "using every pot in the
kitchen." He and his wife, Avis, are the
parents of three children, and spending time with
his grandchildren is one of his greatest
pleasures. Other leisure interests include golf,
travel, and French Impressionist paintings.
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