Alley, Edward Lee 2/58 - 9/60 CONDUCTOR, BASS, SOUND ENG., RADIO PRODUCER  
Deceased
Staff Sergeant - E-6
(This bio. was upated 7/14/20)
He was married on May 1, 2010 to June LeBell, former radio announcer and
personality on WQXR-AM-FM, New York City. They continued to live in Sarasota, FL.   Wedding Photo
He was basically retired, self-employed as arts consultant and adjudicator.
4/58 - 8/59 - Conductor, 7ASO
9/59 - 9/60 - Sound Engineer & Radio Producer, 7ASO
1960-1968 - Conductor, General Mananger- Goldovsky Opera Theater - 18 tours
1968-1979 - Vice President for Programs, Affiliate Artists, Inc. Developed and administered Exxon-Arts Endowment Conductors Program.
1979-1981 - Director - Martha Baird Rockefeller Fund for Music, Inc.
1981-1983 - Orchestra Manager, New York Philharmonic.
1986-1989 - Associate Director , Juilliard American Opera Center.
1991-1997 - Program Officer, International Visitors Pgm., Dept. of State, US Govt., NY, NY.

Allred, Karl '55 - 8/56 VIOLA fidkar@yahoo.com
Currently: retired
After leaving the Army I returned to Utah, attended the Brigham Young University and finished getting my Bachelor of Arts Degree. I started teaching music in the public school, most of the years teaching strings. I also started playing viola in the Utah Symphony Orchestra, and played with them for the next 17 years. When I was 45 I started fiddling, and have had a great time traveling all over the world playng fiddle with Folk Dancers. I am now retired, but am still doing a lot of playing (viola and fiddle).

Amram, David '53 - 8/54 HORN   Amramdavid@aol.com
PFC
Composer, conductor, multi-instrumentalist.
(This bio. was updated August 2009 )
First composer-in-residence, NY Philharmonic 1966-67. Music director of young people's concerts for the Brooklyn Philharmonic for the past 27 seasons. Guest conductor and soloist with major orchestras. Composer of over 100 orchestral and chamber works, two operas, and scores for theatre and films, including Splendor in the Grass & Manchurian Candidate. Also play piano, guitar, numerous flutes & whistles, percussion, and a variety of folkloric instruments from 25 countries. My latest symphony, Kokopelli:   A Symphony in Three Movements recorded by Kenneth Schermerhorn & the Nashville Symphony, Magnetone Records.
Books by David Amram, with their original publication dates; all are now published by Paradigm Publishers, Boulder, CO:
 Vibrations: A Memoir (1968)
 Offbeat: Collaborating With Kerouac (2002)
 Upbeat: Nine Lives of a Musical Cat (2007).
Douglas Brinkley had this to say about Offbeat: "An uplifting story of his close association with Jack Kerouac in vivid prose and riveting anecdotes. An essential new addition to the growing literature of the Beat Generation."
www.davidamram.com   (Dave Amram's Web-page)

Anderson, Chilton 1953-c. 'CELLO
PFC
Deceased
Forner Director, Taos School of Music, New Mexico

Anderson, Clyde B. 8/58 - 11/59 BASS cjanderson343@gmail.com
PFC (twice!)
(This entry updated 5/21/09 - email)
I taught public school music for some 25 years, eight of them in Minneapolis. I left teaching when I was elected Secretary/Treasurer of the Twin Cities Musicians Union, AFM, in 1997, and served for six years. I continue to be involved with the Musicians Union, currently serving as Vice President. I still play regularly, mostly in the casual jobbing field, here in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area
Twin Cities AFM Web Site

Anderson, Ronald K. 12/58 - 8/60 TRUMPET   opatrumpet@aol.com
Sp4
Currently: Music Faculties: N.Y.U. and Columbia U. Teachers College.
(This bio. was added 1/1/99)
Formerly: Principal Trumpet (18 yrs.), NY City Ballet Orchestra, Lincoln Center. Music Faculty (25 yrs.), SUNY - Stony Brook.
Currently: Teaching, Concert Artist, Free-lance chamber music, etc. (NYC based).
251 W. 92nd St., Apt. 11-B   New York, NY 10025-7336

Andrix, George 1/55 - 1/56 VIOLA (Principal)   george@andrix.ca
PFC
Currently: Musician
(This entry dated 12/8/05, contact info.)
(Also played clarinet and percussion in 7ASO).
Played in Houston Symphony Orchestra, Ohio Chamber Orchestra, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Ithaca String Quartet. Taught at Ithaca College, Morehead State University, Grant MacEwan College. Farmed in Edson Alberta, built a sailboat in Port Townsend Washington. My more recent exploits have included playing string quartets on several white water raft trips down the Grand Canyon, and releasing a C.D. entitled The Complete Blues Viola.
10427 81 Street, Edmonton,AB T6A 3K9 Canada (780) 633-1084

Anfinson, Ronald ? - ? CLARINET
Deceased
Ronald died in 2007, according to Mel Ponzi. He had lived in Benson, MN

Angel, Wayne A. '60-c. VIOLIN
Deceased
Wayne was a member of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington D.C. from 1962 to 1981. He was also a gifted watercolor painter. Wayne passed away in 1989. His home town was Klamath Falls, Oregon, and he is buried there. This information from Wayne's longtime friend, Ramon Scavelli.

Appleman, Gerald   '60 - '61 'CELLO   gerryap@aol.com
Sp4
Currently: Retired
(This bio. was updated 9/05/10)
I was the only remaining cellist when the orchestra was finally disbanded and became a chamber music group attached to an army band. After leaving the army I played in numerous orchestras, including the Pittsburgh and San Antonio Symphonies and the Cleveland Orchestra, where I was the youngest person ever to be named Principal Cellist. I joined the New York Philharmonic in 1966 and played with them for 32 years, much of it as Assistant Principal. I have participated in the Marlboro Music Festival, the Festival Casals in Puerto Rico, the Montclair Chamber Music Society in New Jersey, and the New York Philomusica, with whom I often perform now. I was a soloist with Mamoru Takahara’s New York Symphonic Ensemble and toured with them in Japan, Hong Kong and the Far East. Recently I performed with the violinist Matitiahu Braun and the pianist Helene Jeanney at Weill (Carnegie) Hall. I also make cellos, and perform now on one of my own creations. I have a son who is a doctor and a daughter who is a student. My first wife of 39 years, Sandy, died in 2002, and in 2007 I married Mickey Pearlman, a widely published writer.
Apt. 219, 200 Winston Drive, Cliffside Park, New Jersey 07010

Atkins, Richard A.   1958 CLARINET   reatkins1882@msn.com
Permission to list 1/18/07
Played some with the Riverside Symphony, got paid a little bit. Went on the get PhD in history from Berkley, taught at Berkley, U C Riverside and was dean of the History Dept at Marin College.
12 Pond Dr. W. Rhinebeck, NY 12572   (845) 876 5705

Badger, James '55 - '57 CELLO
Deceased
Jim was born and raised in LaPorte, Indiana. His undergraduate work was at the Eastman School, and he got a master’s degree from Ithaca College. After his army service, he put down roots in Rochester NY and spent his career teaching in the West Irondequoit School District, where he eventually served as head of his high school's music department. He was president of the Irondequoit Teachers Association 1968-69. Teaching was his passion in life.

Baker, Rodger W. 2/59 - 5/60 Office Staff   rwb@cs.rit.edu
Sp4
Currently: Professor Emeritus Computer Science - Rochester Institute of Technology
(This entry dated 6/9/06)
Corresponded with future members of the orchestra; Coordinated the printing of the concert programs for the orchestra (German/English); Secured full orchestral scores for the orchestra's conductors.
Spent most of my time in Stuttgart, however I did manage to include myself in a number of interesting orchestra trips to Italy, Northern Germany, etc. After 7ASO: I used LA credits from my Eastman BM in Trumpet to earn degrees in Math and Science, and then taught in universities for 30 years before retiring in 1996. Wife, 2 children and 4 grandchildren.
Photo (photographer unknown) - R_Jones_R_Baker_Rifle_Range

Barach, Daniel 1/56 - 6/57 VIOLA
Deceased
Daniel was Professor of Music at State University of NY (SUNY - Oswego) from 1964
Had played in 7ASO String Quartet with Ling Tung, Bill Bruni & John Sant'Ambrogio.
Played in Houston Symphony (1954-55), Minneapolis Symphony (1957-64). His two daughters are Ann (Nurse Practitioner) & Carol (String & Orch. Director). Certified as Alexander Teacher by STAT of London & NASTAT of NYC. Associate of Alexander Technique at Eastman School of Music from 1983. Was a member of Sheldon String Trio at SUNY - Oswego (NYC debut at Merkin Hall in 1985). Three sabbaticals from SUNY - Oswego spent in London, Eng. where he viewed much opera, ballet & recitals.

Bartek, Joseph 1961 VIOLA
Deceased
Joseph passed away on 1/15/97. Reported by Mel Ponzi on 1/16/06.

Basson, Edmond (Eddie) 1958 CELLO
Deceased
Edmond died on May 21, 2009 at the age of 75 in Atlanta, where he had lived for twenty-seven years with his wife Marcia. He studied at Julliard with Bernard Greenhouse and Leonard Rose. In the late fifties, he toured Europe, South America, and the Middle East with the Robert Shaw Chorale. In the 1960's he lived in New York where he played for recording studios, the Metropolitan Opera, in chamber groups, as a soloist, and in Broadway musicals such as Hello Dolly, Once Upon a Mattress, and West Side Story. In 1962, he again toured with the Shaw Chorale, this time for seven weeks in the Soviet Union. In fact, Mr. Shaw had held the plane for Edmond to complete a recital at Carnegie Hall and he boarded the plane still dressed in his tails. He was a member of the Tulsa Symphony, the Pittsburg Symphony, and when Robert Shaw became the conductor of the Atlanta Symphony in 1967, he invited Edmond to join. He was a member of that orchestra for thirty years under Shaw and later Yoel Levi, retiring in 1999. As an American Jew, he remained dedicated to the state of Israel. His memory of the terrible fate of Jews during the Nazi era never faded. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Marcia Basson of Atlanta, brothers Geoffrey Basson of New York City and Stephen Basson of Milwaukee, stepdaughters Annie Schumacher and Margaret Schumacher Harrison of Kennesaw, Georgia, and a granddaughter, Annie Harrison, of Kennesaw.

Bauer, John 8/56-c. - 11/57 VIOLIN   jbauer2@SC.rr.com
Rank ?
Currently: Distinguished Professor Emeritus
(This bio. was added 3/5/01)
Arrived in Vaihingen fall of '56. Departed after the bus accident 11/22/57, broken collar-bone and crushed disk. I was ass't-concertmaster most of the time.

Baylor, Cy 7/55 - 12/56 HORN
Field First Sgt., E-6
Deceased. Cy passed away on 2/28/05. Reported by Mel Ponzi on 1/14/07
Horn player by trade. Transferred from the Army Field Band (Washington, DC. Retired from Army 1962 (E-7). Retired from Unisys 1983 (Was Burroughs).

Becker, Eugene 4/54 - 11/55 VIOLA
Deceased
Gene died around midnight, June 25, 2006. The cause was colon cancer, probably complicated by a stroke he suffered in 2001. He was born August 2, 1929.
Assistant Principal Violist New York Philharmonic,1981-89; Violist NY Phil. 1957-81;
Violist Krasner String Quartet, Gramercy String Quartet; faculties of Syracuse University, National Orchestral Association, SUNY-Purchase, Herbert H. Lehman College of CUNY; the Mannes School, the Eastman School, the Juilliard School.
Summer venues: the Meadowmount School; Summit Bowdoin and Estherwood Festivals; Yong Pyong, (Korea), The Chamber Music Conference (Bennington College), Congress of Strings (University of Cincinnati) Violist and Music Coordinator; Concertium. Solo, chamber music appearances, master classes in USA, Asia and Europe.
Remembering Eugene Becker, by Jerry Pollack

Beglarian, Grant 6/53 - 10/54 VIOLA
Deceased (July, 2002)
Composed for orchestra, chamber groups, voice, band, etc. Gershwin Prize in 1960. Performances by major groups. Stopped composing in mid-80's. Director, Composers-in-Schools project of Ford Foundation, 1961-69; Dean, School of Music (and Performing Arts,) Univ. of Southern California, 1969-82; first President, National Fd. for Advancement in the Arts, 1982-91, where he established the New World Symphony, and other career entry programs in music and other arts. Consultant to non-profit groups in US and abroad, 1992-96. Later headed international programs of Advanced Network & Services in New York. Chair, Copland Society. Married to Joyce (see her bio) and sired Eve, a composer, and Spencer, an actor.

Beglarian, Joyce Heeney 6/53 - 6/54 FLUTE
Deceased (August, 2007)
Civilian (auditioned and appointed as flutist by conductor Jim Dixon)
After 7ASO, received an MA in Fine Arts in 1958. Played organ and harpsichord professionally in and around Ann Arbor, Mich. Taught piano privately in Mich. and metro NY and later in Los Angeles at the Community School of the Arts of the University of Southern California, now named the Colburn School of the Arts. Grant and I were proud parents of Eve, a composer living/working in New York, and Spencer, an actor and teacher living in Los Angeles. Occasionally we saw old friends from 7ASO and had a wonderful time reminiscing about the craziness and the fun we had.

Berg, David J. 1958 VIOLIN
Deceased
David passed away on 9/11/01. Reported by Mel Ponzi on 9/9/05.

Berg, Jacob 3/54-c. 7/55 FLUTE
Deceased
Principal Flutist of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra for 30 years.
Jake lost his battle with lung cancer on June 27, 2004. Survived by his wife, Darrell and children, Rebecca and James. Jake and Darrell attended the 2001 reunion in Lancaster, NH.
Remembering Jake Berg, by Jerry Pollack

Berkal, Leonard A. '54-c. - '55-c. PERCUSSION 
Deceased
PFC
Made PFC 2 days before discharge which ruined uniform. Was custodian for Onward 'til he was bearnapped by Chris Earnest, who reportedly had him play bass drum occasionally with the New Orleans Philharmonic. Leonard died on February 13, 2010 at the age of 80. He had practiced law in Salem, MA for 57 years and was active in many organizations including the Salem Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club, North Shore Children's Hospital and local and regional bar associations. He chaired the city's Tourist Commission from 1970 to 1973, during which time the "Bewitched" TV series came to film in Salem. He also chaired the Peabody Museum's (now PEM) corporate membership committee for a number of years in the 1980s.

Berman, Richard '57 - '58 VIOLIN (Concertmaster)   nenerich@optonline.net
SP2
Currently: Retired
(This entry dated 5/17/05)
After leaving Germany and the service, I spent one season playing in the Indianapolis Symphony. Following that, I was on tour for 2 seasons with the National Ballet of Canada. I also played for a few years as a sub at Radio City Music Hall. A teaching career followed, although I continued with music as a free-lancer. I taught orchestral music in Jr. and Sr. High schools in New York City for about 20 years. This was followed by 14 years in a school system on Long Island where I again taught orchestral music in Jr. and Sr. high schools. I retired about ten years ago. I love both gardening and photography, in addition to my 2 grand daughters. I hold a Bachelor's degree from NYU and a Master's degree from the U. of Wisconsin. I was, for a while, an adjunct assistant professor of Music at Queensborough Community College and on the staff at Dowling College.

Bernhardt, Donald R. '58-c - '59-c. VIOLIN
Deceased
(This bio. updated 01/11/04)
After leaving 7ASO, Donald received a Masters of Music Ed. degree from Ohio State University. He taught strings in public schools 30 years, retiring in 1990. Some of the orhestras he played in include the Akron Symphony, Mansfield Symphony, Lakeside Summer Symphony, Sun Valley (Idaho) Summer Symphony, Ashland Orchestra, Lima Symphony, Springfield Symphony and others. He was concertmaster of the Mansfield Symphony for 7 years and the Ashland Orchestra for many years. After his retirement from teaching, Don played in 10 different orchestras in Ohio. He loved playing chamber music and from 1986 until his death he enjoyed a week every summer in Montana playing chamber music. He played his last gig (trio at a rehab center) just 5 weeks before his death from malignant melanoma in Oct. 1996. He is survived by his wife, Carol, and 2 daughers and their husbands.

Bertolino, Peter 1958 VIOLIN/VIOLA
Deceased
(This entry dated 1/24/2009)
Peter passed away on Feb. 4, 2008. He was retired from the Atlanta Symphony. The obituary was spotted by Mel Ponzi and reported to us.

Beswick, Gary 4/54 - 5/55 VIOLIN  
PFC
Deceased
Gary died on March 19, 2012 at the age of 78. After the 7ASO he had a long career mostly in teaching at the college & university level, but he always kept involved as a performer in chamber music groups, community & regional orchestras, and as an active recitalist. He retired in 1994, and then had his own string quartet, the Love Quartet, which performed for weddings and social occasions. His wife Sheri taught strings in the public schools and played over 27 years in the Fresno Phil. She passed away in November of 2005.

Black, Don 4/54 - 5/55 CLARINET  donblackartist@gmail.com
Cpl.
Currently Professor Emeritus of Music and visual artist. After 1955 discharge returned to hometown Roanoke, VA - then went to Ohio to teach music, earn MFA from Ohio U and marry pianist Nancy Martin (3 children, 2 grandchildren - 59th anniversary coming up in Jan.2016). Studied clarinet with Dave Hite and Anthony Gigliotti; flute with Robert Cole.
1958-62 - at East Texas State (now Texas A&M at Commerce) doing woodwinds, music theory and band.
1962-68 - at Amarillo College teaching clarinet, directing wind and jazz ensembles, and serving as principal clarinetist with the Amarillo Symphony. Two summers as visiting professor at U. of Missouri. One year of work on DMA at U. of Iowa.
1968-2014 - at Shenandoah University Conservatory, conducting conservatory symphony, chamber orchestra and opera for 20 years and playing jazz clarinet with a faculty combo. Chair of instrumental division for 25 years. Much teaching in areas of woodwinds, theory and conducting. Retired from SU August 2014. Since 1983 have also added new career as visual artist. www.donblackartist.com. Spend summers at Lac Pemichangan in Quebec.
105 Oakwood Court, Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 667-3846
Photos of Don, Then & Now.

Bloch, Robert S. 1/58 - 6/59 VIOLIN (Concertmaster)
Deceased
Former Music Professor at University of California, Davis
Played with San Francisco Symphony and S. F. Opera (violin and viola), taught at Cornell Univ., Principal 2nd Violin of Minnesota Orchestra before settling in Davis. Bloch’s career awards include a Premier prix avec distinction from the Royal Conservatory of Music, Brussels, as well as a First Prize in the Young Artists Contest of the Society of American Musicians, the Kranichsteiner Musikpreis, and an Alfred Hertz Memorial Fellowship. He recorded for Pathe-Marconi, Musical Heritage, Monitor and Redwood Records. Married (amicably divorced), 2 daughters.

Bloom, Arthur A. '55 - '56 CLARINET
PFC
Deceased
Arthur had a distinguished career, as you can see below. His passing was reported by John Canarina, February, 2008.
Juilliard School of Music, B.S. 1957 (Clarinet major), M.S. 1959 (major in orchestral conducting & opera direction). Fullbright to Italy, 1959-60 , as conductor/director at La Scala. Three ASOL summer sessions in conducting class of Richard Lert, 1962-64. Study in autography with Ben Weber, 1965. Dorian Quintet, 1960-63, seven tours, Lark Quintet, 6 years. Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, 1963-73. NYC freelance clarinetist & conductor 1960-67. Conductor Caecilian Symphony which premiered Mahler's 10th Symphony, realized by Joseph Wheeler, in 1965. Played 156 premieres, 81 recordings of (mostly) contemporary music. Conducted 97 premieres, 48 repertoire programs, 6 dance companies, 7 operas. NY State Council on the Arts, 1973-76, Music Pgm. Associate. Supervised funding of $13.7 million to some 300 music organizations. C.F. Peters Publishing Corp., 1977-78 Asst. to the President. 1978 to present: music copyist, autographer, SCORE engraver. A remarkable 20 year marriage ended in 1984 with cancer the cause. Two sons, one a writer in Provincetown, MA, another a sous-chef in Seattle and lead guitarist with Kilgore Trout.

Blum, Richard '52 - 2/53 VIOLA   rcblum@facstaff.wisc.edu
Cpl.
Currently: Principal viola - Madison,WI Symphony and principal viola - American Sinfonietta.
I was in 7th Army Special Service. I was one of the people who auditioned Sam Adler and then helped audition the the first group of players. I was - Prof. of Viola at the University of Wisconsin and violist in the Pro Arte Quartet for 34 years. Before that I was principal viola San Antonio Symphony and the Dallas Symphony.
6501 Olympic Dr.   Madison WI. 53705

Boatright, Harvey E. 1/56-c. - 3/57-c. FLUTE, PICCOLO   fluteboat@aol.com
Sgt.
Currently: 2nd Flute in Dallas Symphony Orchestra, piano tuner, and Alexander Technique teacher.
I married pianist Jo Boatright from Colorado Springs in 1957. After 3 years at New England Conservatory, we came to Dallas where we have lived since 1960. We have one daughter, Camilla Jo Boatright, cellist, and administrator for Jos chamber ensemble, The Walden Piano Quartet. My interests have gone to Alexander Technique and Foot Reflexology. Would enjoy hearing from the 1956-57 orchestra players.

Bogenschutz, Robert '57 - '58 TRUMPET   bobandmoni@cox.net
SP4
(This entry updated 4/25/06 - email)
Currently: Professor of Biology (semi-retired)
Permission to list.
1122 Huntington Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73116

Bolle, James mid '55 - early '57 VIOLA
SP3
Deceased
Former Music Director, Monadnock Music Festival, a 40-year-old festival in SW NH. Composer and conductor.
His bio. is on the website monadnockmusic.org.

Brandes, Raymond A. 1952 'CELLO
Deceased
Ray passed away in December of 2008. (Reported by Paul Hilgeman via Mel Ponzi.)
A native of Indianapolis. Bachelors and masters degrees from the Indiana University School of Music (Bloomington). After 39 years of teaching retired as a high-school music dept. head. Founding member of 7ASO. In 1958-59 served as Fulbright Exchange Teacher at the Cambridgeshire High School for Girls, Cambridge, England. While there, played as a member of the Cambridge University Music Society. A John Hay Fellow in the Humanities.
For many years served as an adjudicator for district & State music contests, plus summer assignments as a summer music camp string instructor. Since retirement, taught privately and remained active in local musical groups, including church performances. Married to Peggy and the father of two daughters.

Briefer, Charles 4/54 - 12/54 PICCOLO, FLUTE   cbss@optonline.net
Cpl.
Currently: Program Annotator, Treetops Chamber Music Society, Stamford Connecticut.
After 7ASO I joined radio station WQXR (the classical music station of the NY Times), first as a writer, then as Assistant Editor, and finally as Editor-in-Chief. After 17 years I moved to CBS Records as Manager of Special Services in the Special Products division (custom records for educational publishers), and spent 15 years there. Concurrently, I spent 20 years writing program notes for the Caramoor Music Festival, Katonah, NY. Semi-retired, but still writing for small chamber music start-ups, and still playing - primarily with harpist-wife Sylvia Savage, and with a flute ensemble in NYC. We recently (2010) had a "big adventure": round-trip coast-to-coast on Amtrak, with a week at Big Sur.

Britten, Harold L. (Lynn) '55 - 8/56 BASSOON, CONTRABASSOON   cbri601262@aol.com
SP3
Currently: Retired music teacher (33 years)
After 7th Army Symphony, I finished my Bachelor's Degree in Music at University of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Played with the Tulsa Philharmonic for three years. I got married in 1959, and began teaching in Nebraska. Have two daughters - wonderful! Left Nebraska in 1962 and taught music in Denver for the next thirty years. Obtained Master's Degree in Music in 1965. I am presently retired, and play second bassoon and contrabassoon in one of the thirteen Community Orchestras in the Denver Metro area.
8740 Cheryl Dr. Denver, CO 80229-5060   (303)287-6425
Photos of Harold L. Britten, Then & Now.

Browne, Donald 8/56 - 6/57 BASS TROMBONE   gvbrowne@comcast.net
Sp4
Currently: Teaching at U. of Minnesota
Following my army tour of duty, I entered graduate school at the University of Michigan, received my Ph.D. in communication studies while in training for the US Foreign Service, and served in US embassies in Tunis, Tunisia and Conakry, Guinea. I then taught at Boston University, Purdue University, and starting in 1966, at the U. of Minnesota, where I've been ever since, with the exception of a visiting Fulbright professorship at the American University of Beirut and a visiting professorship at Lund University in Sweden. (You can see that the travel bug that bit me in my 7th ASO days bit pretty hard!) I've played in the Boston Civic Orchestra and in the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis for more than 40 years.
4135 Leber Lane, Golden Valley, MN 55422

Brucato, Mike '5? - '5? VIOLIN
Rank ?
Deceased
(This entry updated 3/30,08)
We received the following note from Michaels son, Michele:
7th ASO Members;
I very much regret to inform you that Michael S.Brucato, passed away Monday morning at 11:40 AM at the age of 85. He loved playing in the Army 7th, and had the good fortune to be able to participate in two of the orchestra's reunion concerts.
Classical music was his life, and the violin was his passion. He played for hours every day until a massive stroke that occurred during a quadruple bypass heart surgery ripped his mastery away from him. Mike fought the first stroke and subsequent ones for two years in addition to blood clots and a brain tumor. With his last ounce of strength, he fought courageously; a soldier-musician, a father of three boys, a loving husband of over fifty years, and a much-beloved member of his community.
The music of courage lived in his soul, and the torture he endured only stopped him from expressing it through his violin. The music of his spirit played great symphonies of courage, fortitude, love and determination every one of his last days. Mike, beloved husband, father and grandfather, is survived by his wife of over fifty years, Mary Ann Brucato, his three sons: Michele A. Brucato, Thomas J. Brucato, John F. Bru cato, and seven grandchildren.
Donations in his name may be made to the St. Elizabeth Hospice Center in Northern Kentucky by clicking on the following link: StElizabethMedicalCenter/OnlineGiving
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Bruni, William 5/55 - 9/57 VIOLIN
E5
Deceased
Following 2½ years with 7ASO, he toured with the Mantovani Orch., counselled at a Ma. summer camp, and in 1958 joined the National Symphony Orch. in Wash. D.C. That move stretched into 38 years as an NSO violinist, one of the longest tenured musicians in their history. He often recounted how much he enjoyed his years with the 7ASO, and it left him with a taste for international travel, good food, fine German wines and, thanks to the Autobahn, fast cars. After retirement, he began a life of leisure, and traveled to all parts of the world on birding expeditions, hoping to see as many of the world's population of birds as possible. He spent the summers in New Hampshire and the colder New England months in the southwest Arizona desert. He passed in September 2023, and, as he wished, was interred with full military honors at the Southern Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Sierra Vista. In the end, he stayed at heart a musician soldier.

Bryan, Keith 1/56 - 8/57 FLUTE (Principal)   kwbryan@umich.edu
SP3
Currently:No longer playing, but traveling and living it up in Washington, DC.
Drafted from the National Symphony Orchestra (Washington, DC) and returned to the NSO after the 7th ASO. Married concert pianist, Karen Keys, who performed with the 7th ASO in France and Germany under conductor Henry Lewis. We formed the Bryan and Keys Flute/Piano Duo and made our Paris debut in 1961 under the sponsorship of Alfred Cortot and Francis Poulenc.
   In 1964, joined the faculty of the University of Michigan School of Music and retired as Professor Emeritus of Music in 1994. For over 30 years, my wife and I made annual concert tours in the U.S., Europe and Asia and were among the first to make recordings of the major Flute and Piano repertoire in the 1960s and 70s as well as premiering many new works by American composers. Also have made CD recordings of Flute Concertos by Mozart, Telemann, Nielsen, Ibert, Griffes, Perry, LaMontaine and Gould.

Bunger, Reid   '60 - '62 ESCORT OFFICER, CONDUCTOR
1st Lt.
Deceased
Kammersänger Reid Bunger, grand opera bass baritone, sang with the Vienna State Opera for 20 years. He sang fifty-eight roles in five languages in over 1700 grand opera performances at the Vienna State Opera. He was awarded the title of Kammersänger by the Austrian Ministry of Education in 1981. He had guest engagements in Moscow, Dresden, Leipzig, Frankfurt, Essen, Salzburg, Linz, Graz, Bern, Sydney, Montreal, Tokyo, Osaka, Palm Beach, New York, Phoenix, San Antonio and at the Wagner Festival in Bayreuth, Germany. He sang with such notables as Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and Birgit Nilsson. He also sang concerts both sacred and secular, Liederabende, and performed on radio & television. Reid received both his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Music Education from Texas Christian University, Fort Worth. He did advanced study under the Fulbright Program and had subsequent Rockefeller Grants at the Vienna Academy of Music where he received Doctoral Nostrification. He credited master teachers Km. Ludwig Weber, Km. Josef Witt, Km. Paul Schoeffler, Prof. Desire Ligeti and Prof. John Brigham for vocal instruction and operatic coaching. He directed two German-speaking choruses: The Frohsinn Männerchor and the Frohsinn Damenchor. He sang in the Bass Hall of Fort Worth opening production of La Boheme. Other Fort Worth Opera roles were in Tosca, Madame Butterfly, Samson and Delilah, Traviata, and Turandot.

Reid and his wife, Bette, developed an extensive vocal pedagogy method. After retiring he taught voice at the University of Texas Arlington. He taught voice in his private studio. Reid and Bette performed regularly with their entertainment company, Valley Inspired Productions. They had two sons, Joseph Reid, who is both musician and executive of Valley I. Productions and William Bradford (Brad) who is in the corporate world. They liked to sing together, mostly praise and worship and gospel quartets. Reid had a hobby in the area of antiques and collectibles. He was Escort Officer mainly, but did some conducting of the orchestra in 1960.

Burrows, David   '53 - '54 CLARINET db1@nyu.edu
Now retired from 43 years of teaching at Yale and NYU (musicolgy). A book in 1990 on "Sound, Speech and Music"; another coming out this year on "Time and the Warm Body: A Musical Perspective

Bush, Lawrence (Larry) 1958-c. HORN
Deceased
Larry passed away in Texas, where he was an active musician. Thanks to Curtis Robinson for reporting this.

Button, Donald W. 4/54 - '55 HORN
Deceased
Don passed away in late summer of 2000. He was one of the large group of replacements that arrived in Stuttgart in early 1954. He was also an organist. Thanks to Chris Earnest for reporting this.

Caldwell, Donald 8/55 - 11/56 VIOLIN
SP2
Deceased
He had retired from public school music.
Since 7ASO: Cincinnati Symphony (57,58), Aspen Festival Orch. (57,58), Syracuse Sym. (65-66), Ostschweizer Kammerorchester (76,77,80), freelance in Long Island (66-91). Teaching: Indiana (Pa) State College (58-65), public school music (orchestra & strings) in W. Genessee, NY (65), Three Village School District (66-91). Married, 5 children, 2 grandchildren. In retirement he enjoyed quartet reading, hiking the White Mountains - all seasons, cross-country skiing, AARP volunteer tax preparer.

Campbell, Richard 4/56 - 11/57 PIANO, ADMIN. rgc2012@yahoo.com
Rank: ? .
Currently: Active in Berlin as a free lance journalist, historian and city guide.
(This entry dated 10/7/07)
I arrived at Patch Barracks in April 1956, passed the audition but was not rewarded with a position in the orchestra, but in the symphony office because there was not an opening for pianist. Occasionally, my services were required when the orchestra performed works which included a "harp". Therefore, I spent most of my initial year with the orchestra shuffling papers for H. Cameron Pattee and some military brass, who were always trying - unsuccessfully - to turn the orchestra into a "military" unit. 1957 found me travelling more with the orchestra than sitting in the office. I left the orchestra in Nov.1957 heading for Hamburg, Germany to continue my conducting studies with Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt at the Hochschule für Musik, graduating in 1959. (Prior to coming to the orchestra I had already studied conducting with Maurice Abravanel.) While in Hamburg I hired on with USIS/Amerika Haus in Cultural Affairs, e.g. arranging the orchestra's concert tour to Hamburg. 1959, 1960 and 1961 saw me doing annual 14-day reserve duty with the orchestra. The 1961 tour to Italy was also the end of my active musical career. In 1960 I was assigned to a new post with the US Mission, Berlin, where I now entered the world of politics and intrigue. Aug.1961 saw me at Checkpoint Charlie when the border was closed, however not as a soldier, as I was no longer with the military, but in the intelligence world. During the following 3 years I was posted temporarily in Israel, Iran and Afghanistan. returning to Berlin in 1968. This is when I became disillusioned with US foreign policy and terminated my employment with the government. I now had enough time to complete my PhD in Ethnomusicology at the Free University of Berlin. Following this, I worked as a museum curator (Museum of Ethnology Berlin, 1968-1973), free lance radio producer (Sender Freies Berlin, 1973-1985). In Oct. 1985 I was offered and accepted new employment with the Dept. of State and posted at the US Embassy Berlin (East), where I remained until the end of 1997 when Washington phased out my position.

Canarina, John 8/59 - 10/60 BASS, CONDUCTOR john.canarina@drake.edu
PFC - Sp4 - Sgt.
Currently: Retired
(This entry updated 2/28/10)
Retired as University Professor (Director of Orchestral Studies, Drake University). Author of
 Uncle Sam's Orchestra: Memories of the Seventh Army Symphony (Boydell and Brewer), and
 Pierre Monteux, Maître (Amadeus Press)
3 Sassafras Trail Savannah, GA 31404 - phone: (912) 231-1989
Photo of John & Audrey, 2007.

Cancelosi, Robert '60 -'62 CELLO
Deceased
Robert Cancelosi passed away December 11, 2021, after many years battling Parkinson's Disease. He was born in Passaic, New Jersey, on August 8, 1935 and the family moved to San Diego while he was a young boy. He began playing steel guitar at age 7 and discovered the cello at age 13 when his middle school music teacher handed him the instrument. Within five years, he was playing in the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. He attended San Diego State University, graduating in 1958 with a bachelor's degree in cello performance. He was the first person in his immediate family to graduate from college. In 1960 he graduated from Florida State University with a master's degree in cello performance. He was then drafted and joined the 7th Army Symphony. In 1962 the obtained an early discharge to allow him to accept a position with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, where he met his future wife, Esther Alexander. They married in 1963 in Houston, Texas, where he was playing in the Houston Symphony.
In 1965 he began teaching at Washburn University in Topeka, KS. In 1967 he joined the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. and continued his academic path while there, graduating in 1974 from the University of Cincinnati with a Doctorate in Music Administration in cello performance. In 1976 he became cellist-in-residence and assistant professor at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh; obtaining tenure there in 1983. He then moved with his family to Dallas while on sabbatical, and in 1984 returned to professional playing as assistant principal cello with the Fort Worth Opera Orchestra. He joined the Dallas Opera Orchestra in 1985 where he played for 25 years. His wife Esther developed early onset Alzheimer's Disease in the late 1980s and passed away in 1995, He met June Daponte in the late 1990's and they married in 2005

Cappelli, Amo W. 7/52 - 5/54-c. PIANO
Deceased
A founding member of 7ASO and one of its first soloists. Married in 1956, the Cappelli's had 6 children, 5 of whom are professional musicians. Amo died in 1984. Information supplied by his daughter Jennifer.

Carcione, Joseph '55 - '56 VIOLIN
Deceased (This entry dated 6/19/05)
It was reported that Joseph had passed away before the Portland reunion in 1996.
The webmaster remembers him as owning the shiniest pair of boots in Patch Barracks. Joe grew up in a tough neighborhood, where he had to fight his way to his violin lessons. He was a dedicated violinist.

Ceroni, Adelchi 1955 VIOLIN
Deceased
Adelchi died on November 8, 2009. He had been living in Huntington, NY
Thanks to Jack Monchecourt for reporting this.

Chlarson, Linder '61 '62 VIOLIN
Deceased
Linder passed away on October 27, 1998.
Thanks to Don Draganski for reporting this.

Church, Frank V. 12/59 - 6/61 'CELLO
E5
Deceased
After attending Graceland College for two years, he graduated from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in 1959 with a degree in music. Upon his return from the 7th Army Symphony, he played the cello with the Kansas City Philharmonic for two years. In 1963, he moved to Springfield, Mo. and taught cello for two years. There, he met Margaret Selo. They married in 1966 and over the next five years had two children. Frank moved to New Haven in 1965 and attended the Yale School of Music. He studied with Aldo Parisot for four years and graduated with master degrees in both music and musical arts. In 1969, he was offered the position to teach cello and music at Connecticut College and taught there for 35 years. He was devoted to teaching and to his students and created lifelong friendships with many of them. He retired in 2004, and was granted the status of associate professor emeritus. Frank was a gifted musician, a wonderful husband and loving father. He was also an active member of the community at Connecticut College where he played annual recitals. In the New London area he played the cello at many events and was a member of a local chamber music group. He enjoyed woodworking, caning chairs, reading, collecting antiques, and spending time with his family.

Cisco, Allan D. '55 - '58 'CELLO
Deceased
(This entry updated 5/3/06)
Allan passed away on 10/14/03 in Sandusky OH. He was originally from Cleveland Hgts.,OH He was active in the preparation of the 1977 reunion in Washington D.C. His passing was discovered by Mel Ponzi in the current reunion effort, one of many such discoveries.
Allan's history includes a season or two in the Israel Philharmonic, the National Sym in DC, and quite a few seasons in the Syracuse NY SO.. (These details provided by Michael Comins). Allan was also instrumental in Mike & Barbara Comins getting together and later marrying.

Clark, Stephen J. '55 - '56 'CELLO
Deceased
(This entry dated 5/17/20)
After his military service, he worked for two years as a missionary in the British Mission for the Mormon Church. He got a masters degree in electrical engineering from BYU and worked for Motorola for many years. There he received an award from the Association of Old Crows, and contributed to the Iridium satellite program. He played in a violin, piano, and cello trio for much of his life.

Clauser, Charles T. '59 - '60 HORN   charles.clauser@agmd.org
Sp4
Currently: Retired
(This entry dated 3/26/06)
My position was assistant first French horn. As of March 31, 2006, I will be retiring from 25½ years of missionary work in the Philippines with the Assemblies of God. My wife Mary and I live in Springfield, MO
P.O. Box 1906, Springfield, MO 65801-1906.   Phone: 417-833-9791

Clem, Frederick 3/54 - 4/55 VIOLA   fd.clem@icloud.com
Cpl.
Retired Symphonic Musician
My wife and I retired after 34 years in the Milwaukee Symphony and moved to Las Cruces, NM. We love it here, espcially the non-Milwaukee like winters! I'm still playing, Las Cruces Sym, El Paso Sym, plus a Chamber orch and opera. I enjoy it a lot.

Cleveland, Joseph '58-c. - '59-c. VIOLA
Deceased
Mr. Cleveland was a Suzuki Teacher in the 1970's and 1980's. He died of cancer.
Thanks to Art Montzka for reporting this.

Clute, James '57 - '58 BASS
Deceased
Jim was awarded Minnesota ASTA's ‘String Teacher of the Year'. He was a member of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) and served frequently on contract negotiating committees for the Minnesota Orchestra. He taught at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, St. Olaf College in Northfield, and the University of Minnesota

Coan, Jack 3/54 - 5/55 TRUMPET, FLUGELHORN, CORNET
Deceased
Freelance Musician - L.A. area - some teaching (private)
A.A., B.A. cum laude, speech music, U. of Minnesota '48 -'53. Augsburg College music faculty '67-'68, USC music faculty '83 - '84. Active in TV jingles, commercials, documentary films, shows and movies. Recorded Stravinsky Rite of Spring with Antal Dorati & Minnesota Orch., 1959. L.A. Civic Light Opera Assn., 1st trumpet '81 -'82. Married 1975 to Mary Irene Arana from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Raised 4 step children, one daughter, Carrie Irene, a medical assistant. Received 2nd Deg. Black Belt in 1988, Tang Soo Do (Korean) Karate (trained and tested with Chuck Norris).

Colgrass, Michael   3/55 - 6/56 PERCUSSION (TIMPANI) colgrass@interlog.com
Pvt.
Deceased
He made his living on commissions as a free-lance composer, writing symphonic works. He also gave workshops in performance training and creativity.
583 Palmerston Ave., Toronto, ON, Canada, M6G 2P6
For a complete biography, including photos, see the Home Page of Michael Colgrass.
Michael's autobiography
 Michael Colgrass: Adventures of an American Composer
published by Meredith Music Publications, Galesville, MD, contains several stories about the 7th Army Symphony

Comins, Michael J.  4/54-5/55  VIOLIN  mike.barb.c@verizon.net
PFC (taken away when court-martialed in Mannheim)
Retired Musician and AFM activist
(This entry updated 1/16/22)
Denver Sym., New Orleans Phil., Chicago Lyric Opera, Bost. Pops, Boston Opera (concertmaster), NY Phil, Sym of the Air, on B'way concertmaster of Cry For Us All, Hello Dolly! w/Pearl Bailey, Evita. Studio work for 25 years, concertmaster of Mantovani Tour '87 to Japan and Taiwan, founding Intl. Sec'y of Recording Musicians' Assn. of US and Canada, & VP of NY Chapter RMA, and editor of the MEMBERS newsletter. Happily retired and playing with computer instead of violin!
Together with my wife Barbara for 41 years until pancreatic cancer took her on Valentine’s Day 2020. She was my personal hero--having fallen 3 floors down a backstage elevator shaft, breaking her back in 2 places, and ending her career as a professional cellist. She returned to the CUNY graduate center on a super fellowship, earning 2 additional master's degrees, a doctorate in English, and was a tenured and full professor of English at the CUNY/LaGuardia campus. She took up painting after her diagnosis and retirement, selling 19 out of 20 canvasses in an exhibition in addition to publishing a collection of poetry, Whisper Gallery, a week before she died.
20 W.84th St. #7B New York, NY 10024-4792

Cook, Richard G. '55-'56 TRUMPET
Deceased
Thanks to Mel Ponzi for reporting this.

Covelli, John 6/61 - 3/62 CONDUCTOR/PIANO   goldencove88@aol.com
Rank ?
Currently: Conductor/Director of the Belleayre International Festival Orchestra,
Director of A Company for Chamber Opera, and Director of Kaleidoscope Concert Productions.
(Updated 6/30/05)
I was the last conductor of the 7th Army Symphony, and present at its demise. Involved in the letter writing campaign that attempted to save the orchestra.
Office and Studio address: 170 Henry Street, Binghamton, NY 13901

Cox, Marvin   '53 - '55 PERCUSSION mudgie43@gmail.com
Currently living in Kentucky, still actively playing the drums at various gigs 3 - 5 times a week. Marvin joined the Army in 1952 at Fort Knox and was sent to the 83rd Army Band in Straubing in Sept 1952, where he played with Kenneth Schermerhorn. In 1953 Marvin was sent to 7th Army Special Services and played in a Jazz and Show Band. Then when Jules Greenberg was discharged Marvin replaced him in the 7th Army Symphony percussion section, where he stayed until January 1955, when he was discharged. He played in James Dixon's last few concerts, and then under Schermerhorn. He and his wife Jane have been married for 48 years as of 2014 and have 2 children and 2 grandchildren.

Crawford, Cloud TROMBONE
Deceased
Cloud passed away in April, 1994
Thanks to Jack Monchecourt for reporting this.

Cronauer, Regis P. (Pappy)12/53 - 8/61 PERCUSSION, ADVANCE MAN, FIELD 1ST, BUS DRIVER, ETC.
E-7
Deceased
Regis passed away on March 5, 2009. He was the driving force behind the 50th anniversary reunion in Lancaster, NH.
Spent 4 years and 8 months with 7ASO during two tours of duty in Germany. After association with the USMA Band, West Point; US Army Field Band, Wash. DC; 7th ASO; several line bands and as an advisor to a Reserve Missile Battalion, retired to a small Northern New Hampshire town located in the White Mountains. Started General Contracting and Security Systems business. Played with 3 community bands and the Mad Bavarian Brass Band (NY, New England area).
Regis & Ann, 50th Anniversary

Crown, Tom 1/55 - 8/55  TRUMPET
PFC
Deceased
In retirement from playing, he spent his time on the mute business, language study and travel.
(Updated 1/9/22)
He was drafted into the US Army in 1953 at the age of 24. Before then he had played first trumpet in the Chicago Grant Park orchestra, played with the Boston Pops orchestra on tour and was first trumpet at W.G.N. Radio-TV, Chicago. His short stint with the 7th ASO, about 8 months, was a defining period of his life, as it must have been for many others. During this time in early 1955, the orchestra toured France, Italy for five weeks, and Great Britain, and played innumerable concerts in Germany. It was an exciting time, with exposure to other cultures and languages that influenced the rest of his life.
After discharge he returned to W.G.N. playing in classical, show, circus and big band formations for ten years. He joined the Chicago Lyric Opera orchestra in 1964 and continued for 30 years. During most of this time he taught trumpet and brass instruments at Roosevelt University-Chicago Musical College. He married Donna in 1959 and they had an exciting life together with many trips to Europe, Latin America, and Japan. In 1974-75 he played with the Deutsche Oper Berlin in an exchange that brought a friend, Arno Lange, to Chicago to play with Lyric for a year. Houses and cars, but not wives, were also exchanged.
In 1969 he started producing mutes for brass instruments. They currently sell about 15,000 mutes a year for trumpet, piccolo trumpet, trombone, and horn. See Tom Crown Mutes