Brian Buerkle
Brian Buerkle received his B.M. from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (1997) and his M.M. from Duquesne University (2003). His teachers included George Vosburgh, Marie Speziale, and Philip Collins. Currently, Brian serves as Principal Trumpet of the Sinfonia Gulf Coast (FL) and has held positions as Acting 4th/Utility Trumpet with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (2006-2007), Acting 2nd/Sub-Principal Trumpet with the West Virginia Symphony (2007-2010), 2nd Trumpet with the Lexington Philharmonic (2000- 2001), and 2nd Trumpet with the State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra (1999). Brian is also a member of several new and innovative chamber ensembles including the Spectrum Brass Quintet and the Pittsburgh Brass. The Spectrum Brass Quintet has received rave reviews for their live performances and debut CD entitled Rhapsody. The American Record Guide hails them as "One of the best. The Spectrum Brass Quintet makes spectacular things happen, both individually and collectively” (Mar/Apr 2010). And The Pittsburgh Brass, of which Brian is also a founding member, was recently awarded a spot on the prestigious artist roster for the 2010 Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour (PennPAT).
As an active freelance musician, Brian has performed and recorded with some of America's finest orchestras including the Pittsburgh Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati Pops, Columbus Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, West Virginia Symphony, Dayton Philharmonic, and Kentucky Symphony. He can be heard on the Telarc, PentaTone, BrassJar, Centaur, Albany, Summit, PSO, and AWSO record labels. His extensive chamber music experience has led to performances with the Spectrum Brass Quintet, The Pittsburgh Brass, Canterbury Brass, Queen City Brass, American Wind Symphony, and Burning River Brass.
In addition to having received Full Scholarships and Assistantships for his undergraduate and graduate studies, Brian has earned several other notable awards. In 2000, he was chosen as the Maurice Faulkner Trumpet Fellow at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California, where he attended the music festival for two seasons. In 1995, Brian earned Third Place in the International Trumpet Guild Mock Orchestral Excerpt Competition and was also recognized with a First Place finish at the 1997 National Trumpet Competition--Brevard Trumpet Ensemble Division. In October of 2010, Brian was featured in a profile article--of the International Trumpet Guild Magazine--recognizing his many achievements as a professional musician.
Aside from his skills as a trumpeter, Brian is also an accomplished conductor and arranger. His publications for brass have been performed and recorded by groups worldwide and his conducting experience ranges from brass ensembles and vocal choirs to symphony orchestras. In 2009, he joined the classical music review team at the American Record Guide and also became the Owner and President of the Southern Ohio Music Company, a business specializing in the sale and distribution of high quality brass sheet music (http://www.somusic.com).
During his free time, Brian can be found doing a number of activities including playing tennis, racquetball, golf, baseball, darts, billiards, and ping-pong. He is also an avid audiophile and maintains an extensive collection of classical music recordings. He currently resides in Cincinnati, OH, where he enjoys an active and diverse playing career.
