About Jeff Curnow
Jeffrey Curnow, Associate Principal Trumpet of the Philadelphia Orchestra, began his career in music as an undergraduate at Temple University, where he was a student of Seymour Rosenfeld, and quickly won a coveted position as Concerto Competition Soloist at the Philadelphia Academy of Music. In 1983 Jeffrey was appointed Principal Trumpet of the New Haven Symphony and soon after became a member of the New York Trumpet Ensemble, recording on the MMG/Vox and Newport Classics labels. Four years later he joined the internationally renowned Empire Brass Quintet. Over the course of his tenure with this ensemble he recorded 15 compact discs for the Angel EMI and Telarc labels, appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, St. Paul Sunday Morning, Taipei Television, Japan Television, and BBC Television and Radio, as well as performed with such ensembles as the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Saint Louis Symphony, the National Symphony, and major orchestras in Japan and Switzerland.
In 1995 Mr. Curnow was appointed Principal Trumpet of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra where on several occasions he has performed as soloist, most recently in a performance of Lowell Liebermann’s Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra. Not content to limit himself to performing, he is well established as an educator, clinician, adjudicator, arranger and producer. He has taught at Wichita State University, University of Connecticut, University of Scranton, Boston University, the Tanglewood Institute, the Royal Academy of Music in London, the Curtis Institute, and Temple University.
Jeff started his hobby as a videographer while sitting in orchestra rehearsals and counting a seemingly endless number of measures in which he didn’t have to play a note. An idle mind is indeed the Devil’s workshop.
To Jeff:
You may not remember me, but I produced the Christmas in Dallas CD that we did in the heat of July years ago. I was Music Dir. at Lovers Lane UMC and am now at Preston Hollow Presbyterian in Dallas. I’ve just taken over as Interim Director of the Dallas Sym Chorus following David Davidson’s tragic death to cancer last month.
I just viewed your What’s Bothering Jeff video, and had to write. It was incredibly funny. We are working on a German piece by Wolfgang Rihm with the DSC that has choral parts much like your great illustrations. I hope you will continue to provide this wonderful series. We need it!
It looks as though you have quite a Dallas contingent in the Philadelphia Orchestra. With you, David Bilger, David Kim and Jennifer Montone – that’s a lot of talent we’ve lost. Congratulations on being in such a great organization though. We are excited about the new directions here under Jaap van Sweden. He has brought a level of excitement that I’d not seen before. Thanks for brightening my day!
All best wishes,
Terry Price
Terry,
I do remember you and thanks much for the kind words. We performed a piece by Rihm here, not too long ago, which involved a great deal of offstage trumpeting. I’ll never forget it, they had to use 2 monitors, 4 music stands and two copies of the parts so that we could turn around, while playing, to make the sound seem farther away.
And this was offstage. That and several other pointless performances lead to the video. It’s a nice way to vent.
So sorry to hear about David’s passing, a tragedy indeed. A real loss for the DSO. I’ll never forget his Christmas concerts. And yes, a lot of players from the DSO farm team are here. And Jaap is conducting here later this year; we’re all looking forward to the visit (and we’re looking for a new Music Director too!).
I’ve got about a dozen videos to be featured as well as others in the works. Tough times for the orchestral musician so there’s a lot of material out there
Thanks again for the note, always nice to hear from the Big D crowd, and take care!
Cheers,
-Jeff
Jeff,
Are you the same Jeff Curnow who attended Wilson High School in the 1967/77era? I was showing my daughter the District Band Albums from the time with my name in the trumpet section recently and remembered you. I saw your name on this website and wondered if you are the same guy? I remember the sound by you 2 Wilson guys on 1st/2nd seat was something I couldn’t match back then. I was a Kuztown High School guy in the district band along with Dave Eck and Mark Mohler. Mark insisted always on playing a cornet and not a trumpet! By the way, I’m the guy who fell off the back of the bleacher with my chair and trumpet in hand at the beginning on one of the pieces.
I put down my horn in 1984 when I earned a commission as an officer in the United States Coast Guard and didn’t pick it up again until about 6 years ago. I play in some community bands, a German Band, and wedding gigs professionally. My daughter is taking guitar and acting lessons in High School. She’s pretty right brained like her old man. (But way more talented!)
If I got the wrong guy, just ignore me. If I’m right, please say hello!
Be well,
Richard Stoud LCDR USCG (ret)
“Leadership is about making other people successful!”
Eric Shinsecki GEN USA (ret)