Taylor, Philip 1958 VIOLIN
Deceased
(This entry dated 1/8/06)
Philip passed away in March of 2004. This was reported to Mel Ponzi by Philip's brother.

Thieme, Darius '55 - '56 BASS dthieme@fisk.edu
PFC
Currently: Teaching, Fisk University
I think I was in the Symphony just before England (NATO Tour). My dates of service were from August 54 to August 56. I may have made it into the symphony before Jan 1, 1955, so maybe I was 1954-56; I was in the glorious & patriotic soldier show we sent out before my talents were required in the 7th Caravan.
1915 Ashwood Ave. Nashville, TN 37212

Thies, Larry A. 12/58 - 2/61 'CELLO   larryathies@popp.net
SP4
Currently: Retired.
Permission to list. Biographical information may follow.
3317 W.44th St. Minneapolis, MN 55410

Thomason, Daniel 9/58 - 6/60 VIOLA   altviool@sbcglobal.net
E4
(This entry updated 5/15/05)
Currently: Playing with the Rogue Valley Symphony, Ashland, OR. & other groups.
I married my beautiful bride, Anita van Heers in 1959 at Patch Chapel, and the Rathaus Sindelfingen. Anita (a fine violinist) and I joined the Dallas Symphony & Opera Orch. (1960-62), Paul Kletzki and George Solti, conds. When Solti moved on, I decided to finish my graduate work at USC. We played many seasons with the Carmel Bach Festival. In 1962 we returned to L.A., to pursue my Masters in viola performance. I also began a career in continental music-making with the "Monseigneur Strings", until the untimely passing of leader Murray Korda in 1998. In 1964, I joined the Glendale Symphony, and am still with them. Our first-born, Matthew (1965) is an old-fashioned fine art print maker. I began teaching in the L.A. Schools in 1966 and "retired" in 1991 - since then, a string consultant & viola coach in various schools. Our 2nd son, Peter (1970) is finishing his degree at Cal. State U., Northridge. He plays classical piano, acoustic & elec. guitar. In 1974 I completed the DMA in viola d'amore perf. & related research and joined Myron Rosenblum in forming & directing The Viola d'amore Society of America. Anita and I are for the past 5 yrs. members of the Jefferson Baroque Orch., (period instruments), in Grants Pass, OR. When I don't have some sort of fiddle under my chin, I am editing & publishing music for viola d'amore.
Photos of Dan -Then & Now.

Tiberio, Albert '59 - '61 TRUMPET   a1tiberio@aol.com
SP4
Currently: Composer, Conductor, College Professor
(This entry dated 2/5/06)
226 Melrose Drive New Stanton, PA 15672   (724) 925-2694

Toposlky, Marvin '56 - '58 BASS   mtopolsky@msn.com
PFC
Currently: Bass section, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Studied at Juilliard with Fred Zimmerman. Played in the Houston Symphony under Stokowski. Now playing in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra under James Levine.
332 Vandelinda Ave. Teaneck, NJ 07666

Trombley, Dick 12/54 - 9/56 OBOE, FLUTE trombley@oregon.edu
PFC
Currently: Associate Professor Emeritus of music history, film, and flute at the University of Oregon (since 1963; retired in 2003)
Married best friend from high school in 1957; graduated from Juilliard in 1960; graduated from the Manhattan School of Music in 1962 with a db. Master's in both flute and musicology; started the Ph.D program at N.Y.U. in 1962; accepted a position at the U. of O. in music history and flute in 1963; past principal flute in Eug. Sym., Oregon Bach Fest., U. of O. W/W Quintet, etc; had two children; finished doctorate at Stanford University in Music history in 1971; left my wife and kids for this really cute guy in 1973; just finished 34 articles for an encyclopedia on 20th-cent.mus.
Link to Photo and Bio of Dick Trombley

Trubitt, Allen Roy 1954 CELLO
Deceased
(The following comments are from a note by John White to Mel Ponzi - June, 2008):
Allen passed away at his home in Honolulu in May of 2008. He and I were stand partners in the cello section of 7ASO in the years 1954-56
After army days Allen earned a D.M.A. in composition at Indiana U., taught at Indiana U. of Pennsylvania, and then moved to Hawaii where he became Chair of the Music Department at the U. of Hawaii Manoa. He retired after he contracted Parkinson's disease several decades ago. He is survived by his wife Janice.
Among Allen’s many virtues were his wisdom and his deep consideration for other people. He was a true gentleman in every sense. Even though I seldom saw him after our Army days, I will miss his presence in this world. (end of comments)
Allen Roy Trubitt was born in 1931 in Chicago, Illinois. In 1954 he graduated from the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt U. with a master of music education degree, and began his professional musical life performing as a cellist with 7ASO. He then taught cello and music theory at Indiana State College in Pennsylvania. Trubitt did doctoral study at Indiana U. with Bernard Heiden, a disciple of Paul Hindemith. In the fall of 1964, Trubitt accepted a position at the U. of Hawaii at Manoa where he taught for over thirty years including two terms as chairman of the music department.
His compositional output included 2 symphonies, a symphonic poem for band, numerous chamber works, 6 piano sonatas, 2 violin sonatas, and sonatas for trumpet and saxophone. His choral work "An American Letter" won first prize in a state competition commemorating the Bicentennial of American independence. He co-authored several texts in music theory and ear training.
Although he had been suffering from Parkinsons' disease for the past twenty years, in March 2006 he had his "Nine Studies for Trumpet" published in the International Trumpet Guild Journal. When asked to describe his music in an interview in 1998 by Ruth Bingham of the "Star-Bulletin" newspaper on the occasion of an upcoming premiere titled "Birds of Passage" written to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the music department at the U. of Hawaii, Trubitt responded, "All my life, I've never known what to tell people when they ask me what kind of music I write...I like to think that my music is easily accessible and that what I'm doing is fairly conservative. It's not earthshaking; it's just good listening."

Tucci, Paul R. '56 - '57 BASSOON
Deceased
(From the 1996 reunion directory).
Played principal bassoon in the Houston Symphony for many years before he died. (Thanks to David Sweetkind for this information).

Tyree, Ronald 5/58 - 8/59 BASSOON ronbevtryee@mchsi.com
Currently retired professor emeritus from the University of Iowa School of Music.
Ron and Bev send regards to all. We hope to receive biographical data soon.

Ulrich, Bill 6/58 - 6/60 OBOE billul@snet.net
SP4
Currently: Retired
Retired data processor; Play oboe in community orchestra; married Erika while in 7ASO; We enjoy entertaining our 11 grandchildren 38 years later.
26 Vicki Lane, Colchester, CT 06415-1041

Valdes, Richard 1960-c. SAXOPHONE, ADMINISTRATION
Sgt.
Deceased
(From the 1996 reunion directory).

Valpreda, Ronald 4/54 - 2/56 VIOLIN
Sgt.
Deceased
Founding member of I Solisti Veneti (Padua) - played with them for 20 years (Violin).
1st Viola at La Fenice Opera in Venice for 10 years.
Ron died March 13, 1999 in Verona, Italy, from leukemia. He was remembered by his professional colleages in Italy - a moment of silence at La Fenice and a memorial concert by the Chamber Orchestra of Padua. His wife, Jill, remains in Verona with their daughter Julia.
Photo of Ronald Valpreda  - late 1995, with daughter, Julia.
Rest in peace, old friend.

Van Cleave, Richard 2/56 - 2/59 TENOR SAX/CLARINET   evancleave@aol.com
Rank: Unknown
(This entry dated 12/30/07)
In 1958 Brussels Worlds Fair Tour:
In Indiana
308 South Cheryl Drive
Muncie, IN 47304-3440 (765) 289 9725
In Florida
4201 Sharon Way Sarasota, FL 34232 (941) 379 2787

Van Loon, Arthur ? - ? TRUMPET
Deceased
(This entry dated 8/5/05)
Arthur passed away in 1996. Reported by Mel Ponzi, who spoke to his son.

Venman, William C. 4/53-c. - 1/54 HORN wcvenman@comcast.net
Sgt.
Currently: Retired from University of Massachusetts
After 7ASO I returned to Oberlin, married, taught music in Michigan for a few years, and then after doing graduate work at the U. of Mich. came to the U. of Mass. in 1962. I retired -- finally -- last spring after a career as what I characterize as a "utility administrator" -- Dean of Admin., Director of the Summer Session, Director of Continuing Educ., etc. I continued to play horn with local ensembles for many years, but finally couldn't keep the chops up and turned to my secondary instrument, tuba, which I still play now and then. My wife and I founded the Valley Light Opera in 1975 and in the intervening years we've produced and I've conducted all of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas -- some multiple times -- plus a few otherss (like Sousa's "El Capitan"). I am also music director for a local Revels group. Sally and I have had five children, and among them they've given us nine grandchildren.
43 Ridgecrest Road Amherst, MA 01002-1417 (413)549-1098

Voight, Clifford 1954 VIOLA
Deceased   Clifford died in 1999, as reported by Mel Ponzi, who spoke to his son.

Walden, Stanley '56 - '57 CLARINET
Deceased   (Reported 2/27/05)
We received reports that Stan died just before the Minneapolis reunion of 2004 (July).
After 20 years of free-lancing in NY (Philharmonic, Met, jingles, etc.), moved out of the city following success of OH! CALCUTTA! Started returning to Germany in 1970, composing for theater and film; founder of Musical Dep't. at Berlin HDK. Commissions included WEEWIS for Joffrey Ballet, INVISIBLE CITIES for Philadelphia Orch., CIRCUS for Louisville (also Ozawa & Chicago), etc. 2 operas, 6 musicals, lots of chamber music.

Wasserman, Howard '58 - '60 ASST. CONDUCTOR, CLARINET
Deceased
Thanks to Bill Merrell for reporting this, and to Dick Lawson for the following tribute:
Howard played first clarinet with 7ASO and conducted sporadically during Edward Lee Alley's tenure as conductor, and after separation from the army went on to study conducting with Herbert von Karajan. He was a dedicated musician and loved music with a passion. He died from injuries sustained in a climbing accident.

Weber, LeRoy 1961 VIOLA hansweber@gmail.com
Currently:  Un-retired, making cases for string instrumen
(This entry updated 1/15/08 - email)
In college I was a violin major, made violins, and studied restoration with Hans Weisshaar in Hollywood. Immediately on graduation I got engaged to my wonderful wife and was drafted. We got married in Basel the following year. Played viola in the 7ASO because of the scarcity of violists. After the orchestra I taught music in a private academy in Auburn, WA for 5 years, then went to work for a violin maker in Seattle. After about 3 years he died and I opened up my own violin shop in Seattle for the next 10 years or so. During this time I developed the suspension system that you see in almost all violin/viola cases made today.  I sent one to Francais' shop in NY where Isaac Stern saw it, called me and wanted one, and we became good friends. I closed the violin shop and my 4 daughters and wife went into making violins and custom made string instruments full time. The business just stopped, so I retired and we moved to Piedmont, AL where I worked in my wife's brother's business sharpening carbide saw blades, which did not agree with me at all, so after a year we moved up to Calhoun, GA where I have un-retired and started case making again. This and chamber music are my first loves. We are both 71 now. My web page shows what we make. I still play and teach a little bit here and play the organ in a church in Calhoun.

Wehlan, John Walter '58 - 60 VIOLIN
Deceased
John was taken by a sudden heart attack on November 17, 1996.
Julie W. Schroeder (forerly Wehlan) sent this news during the 2001 reunion search effort.

Weisser, Charles 19?? - 19?? VIOLIN
Deceased
Charles played viola in the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra for many years and retired several years ago. He passed away sometime during the past year. Thanks to Jake Berg for reporting this (7/9/01).

West, Philip 12/55 - 12/56 OBOE, ENGLISH HORN
Deceased   (Reported on Feb. 27, 2005)
Several members reported that Phil died just before the Minneapolis reunion in 2004 (July).
At Eastman, director of the Eastman InterMusica Ensemble. Prepared many editions of solo and chamber music, including those for the final recording of his late wife, Jan DeGaetani, featuring songs of Mahler and Berlioz. Recitalist in U.S. and Britain, performing standard literature for oboe as well as premiers of solo and chamber works. A leading free-lance performer in NYC and a member of the Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, the Boehm Quintet, the Festival Winds, and the NY Pro Musica under Noah Greenberg (treble and alto shawm). A founder of the Bloomingdale Concert Series. Peformed often with NY Philharmonic, Symphony of the Air, Mostly Mozart Festival, and orchestras of NYC Ballet & Opera. Author of the article on oboe in Colliers Encylopedia. Recorded for major record labels.

Whalin, John Robert '59 - '60 PIANO   jw21@swt.edu
SP4
Currently: Professor of Music.
I was married to Mary Case in Dec. 1960, studied in NY with Mieczyslaw Munz 1960-62; went to Indiana U. for my Doctorate in Piano Performance (DM 1969) - have 2 children - Robert Brent Whalin and Mary Kimberly Whalin - two grand-children and have done a lot of playing as well as chair of the Humanities area for the university. Will go on modified retirement in Dec. 2000, so we have more time to travel. Was chair of the keyboard division for 25 years before taking over the directorship of the humanities area.
108 Laurel Ridge   San Marcos, TX 78666

White, Henry ? VIOLIN
Deceased
(This entry dated 6/5/05)
Henry passed awas some years ago. Details are not known. Thanks to Dave Sweetkind for reporting this. This was in response to Mel Ponzi's search for missing members for the 2006 reunion.

White, John 1/55 - 9/56 'CELLO   jwhite48@earthlink.net
Rank ?
Currently: Professor Emeritus, University of Florida
7ASO Principal Cellist under Ronald Ondrejka and Henry Lewis.
B.A., Magna Cum Laude, U. of Minnesota; Ph.D. and M.A. in Composition and Performers Certificate in Cello from Eastman. Taught composition, and my music has been performed by major orchestras in the U.S. and Europe. A new choral work, "O Sing to the Lord a New Song" was recently published by Schirmer, and "Summer Storm Madrigals" received a premiere at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center, March, 1998. Concertized as a soloist and in chamber music. Served for many years as principal cellist of the Akron Orchestra under Louis Lane, and as principal cellist of the Eastman Philharmonia under Howard Hanson. Most recently, served as cellist of the Florida Arts Trio and the Florida Baroque Ensemble. Perform on 5 string violoncello piccolo and explore the literature for that instrument. Author of numerous books on music. In 1996, held a Fulbright Research Fellowship to Reykjavik, and in 1997 was appointed Fellow of the American Scandinavian Foundation for research on recent Nordic music. Now under contract for 2 new books both of which will be out in 2001. Recently lectured at major conservatories in the Nordic countries and served as visiting professor at the U. of Innsbruck in 1994.
29862 Troutdale Park Pl., Evergreen, CO 80439   (303) 679-1304

Wiand, Thomas M. '54 - '55 'CELLO ntwiand@aol.com
Currently: DDS, Pennsylvania
I am still playing and I also conduct an orchestra at our church.
More biographical info. soon.

Willaman, Ken 9/59 - 12/60 'CELLO
PFC
Deceased
Ken passed away in Baltimore in August of 2000, apparently of cancer.
Member of Baltimore Symphony for 37 years.
A Mahler freak. Visited and photographed all of the small cottages in which he wrote all the Symphonies from 2 to 10.

Williams, John R. 5/56 - 6/57 VIOLIN   JWILL34449@aol.com
SP3
Currently: Retired - Emeritus Professor of French, University of New Orleans
Although I did not pursue music as a career (I became a university professor of French language and literature), I continued to study violin from time to time over the years and have played in various orchestras all of my life. After retiring from my academic position in 1996, I joined the Gulf Coast Symphony (located in Biloxi, MS) and also serve as Personnel Manager.
125 Palm Ave., Pass Christian, MS 39571

Wills, Robert '52 - '55 TUBA   robertwills@zianet.com
E-6
After I retired from the military in 1963 I worked in the computer department at New Mexico State University and played double bass in the New Mexico State University symphony for 9 years.
1905 Thomas Dr., Las Cruces, NM 88001   (505) 522-4294

Winzenburger, Walter ? - ? VIOLA
Deceased
Walter passed away in December of 2000, not long after retiring - per the president's office at Baldwin Wallace College (reported by Mel Ponzi).

Wolf, Charles ? - ? FLUTE/PICCOLO
Deceased
Charles passed away sometime before 1992, as reported by Harlow Hopkins.

Wolfrom, Lyle C. 9/53 - 2/55 'CELLO   lylewolfrom@bellsouth.net
PFC
Currently: Professor Emeritus, E. Kentucky University
(This entry changed on 1/14/08 - email)
Onward, the Grandpa 7ASO Bear, is living with me in Kentucky. Forward is with Al Gove in California. Both animals are doing fine. Still in frequent communication with several other alumni. The Fort Scott, Kansas High School Class of '47 celebrated their 50th reunion Oct. 3-5, 1997. Lyle Wolfrom, Olympic Cellist performed at the assembly.
448 Breck Avenue Richmond, KY 40475

Wotten, Gerald '53-c. - '54-c. TUBA
Deceased
Known as "Jerry" to his friends, he was a member during the orchestra's early years. He was also a member of the USMA Band at West Point. He played Sousaphone, Tuba, and String Bass in dance groups. He died of Cancer in the Keller Hospital at West Point, and is buried in the nearby cemetery. Thanks to Regis Cronauer for calling this to our attention and to Abby Mayer, a close friend of Jerry, for further information.

Wygant, David M. 1958 FLUTE/PICCOLO   dmwygant@yahoo.com
SP4
Currently: Retired.
Sales Management Various TV Stations. Small Business Owner.
213 N. Berkshire, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302   (248) 333-2244

Yalanis, Tom '58 - '59 VIOLIN
Deceased
Tom died of cancer in 1994, as reported by Ralph Lane.  He is survived by his wife Melanie.

Young, Donald 1/59 - 8/60 TROMBONE donaldyoung1@mac.com
SP4
Currently: Sacramento City College faculty and performance.
After playing trombone with the 7ASO, Don spent several years in New York City as a freelance trombonist playing Broadway musicals, recording, touring with the Bolshoi Ballet and several jazz and pop bands. After moving to California Don continues to perform as well as teach at Sacramento City College. He will be teaching in Paris next spring.
5941 Kifisia Way, Fair Oaks, CA 95628

Zeitlin, Sidney '57 - '59 FLUTE
Deceased
This tribute by Dick Lawson:
Sid was the piccolo player in the L.A. Philharmonic before induction into the army. During his 7ASO stint as first flutist, I remember him playing a Telemann Concerto with the orchestra. After leaving the army he gained the principal flute position with the Minneapolis Symphony, a post he held until he had a major heart attack. Sid was a wonderful musician and flutist, posessed of a beautiful tone quality.