Bio

Golden Horn

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Soloist

Quotes

Booking Info

Amati Ensemble, Berlin
Berlin Philharmonic
Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra
Chicago Chamber Orchestra
Chicago Lyric Opera
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Deutsche Oper, Berlin
Fort Worth Symphony
Grand Tetons Music Festival Orchestra
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Phoenix Symphony
Piedmont Chamber Orchestra
Pittsburgh Symphony
Radio Free Berlin Big Band

Performed in orchestras under conductors: Stravinsky, Leinsdorf, Ozawa, Bernstein, Maazel, Solti, Kubelik, Copland, Spano, Swarovsky, Suitner, Stein, Comissiona, Rampal, Galway, Tuckwell, Gibson, Bergel, Mester, Markevich, Martinon, Mackerras, Wallenstein, Groves, Leppard, Macal, Inbal, Fiedler, Kleiber, Thomas, Foss, Ehrling, Mancini, Herbig, Atherton, Chavez, Davis, Fennell, von Matacic, Mehta, Foster, Previn, Sinopoli, Ahronovich, Schuller, Ceccato, Conlon, Davies, Kertész, Frühbeck de Burgos, Janowski, Hollreiser, Rudel, Rudolf, Weller, Lombard, Abbado and many more.

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1965-present --- Hundreds of concerto and recital appearances throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, North, Central, and South America.

Soloist with conductors: Uri Barnea, Stephen Bolstad, Jack Bowman, Alan Burdick, David Colson, Sergiu Comissiona, David Daniels, Jan Dobrzelewski, Maurice Dubonnet, Howard Dunn, Marvin Eckroth, David Effron, Akiro Endo, Christoph Eschenbach, Leon Fleisher, Sir Alexander Gibson, Leon Gregorian, James Hagberg, William Harwood, Pierre Hetu, Irwin Hoffman, Thomas Hohstadt, Dennis Johnson, Gordon Johnson, Rainer Koelble, Karl Kritz, Andrew Levin, Robert Lyall, Sir Neville Marriner, Uri Mayer, Michael Palmer, Nicholas Palmer, Curtis Peacock, Joel Pugh, Mendi Rodan, Timothy Russell, Peter Schickele, Carl Seale, Henry Charles Smith, Jiri Starek, Elizabeth Stoyanovich, Richard Strange, Kate Tamarkin, Carl Topilow, Newton Wayland, Paul Wolfe, Pinchas Zuckerman and many more.

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1966-67       Syracuse University - horn instructor
1966-67       Pebble Hill School, DeWitt, NY - music teacher
1967-68       Hannibal Central School, NY - director and teacher of
                   50 piece elementary band and high school dance band
1969-73       Oakland University, Rochester, MI - horn instructor
1974            Manistee Music Camp
                   band director, teacher and counselor
1978-91       Shepherd School of Music, Rice University
                    - Artist Teacher of Horn
1991-2000   Arizona State University - Professor of Horn
2000- present  Arizona State University - Professor Emeritus

since 1965    Hundreds of Master classes, Clinics, Workshops,
                   Symposiums, Guest Lectures, Demonstrations, Etc.

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Solo:

"Discovery" - first recordings of new works written for Thomas Bacon and Caio Pagano. Music by Robert Avalon, James DeMars, Kazunori Maruyama, Almeida Prado, and Errollyn Wallen. Thomas Bacon, horn, Caio Pagano, piano, with assisting artists: Katherine McLin, violin, James Graber, horn, and James DeMars, voice. Summit Records, DCD 457, 2006

"The Complete Hornist" - Music from the Southern Music Co. series of printed music "The Complete Hornist." Thomas Bacon, horn, Phillip Moll, piano. Summit Records, DCD 379, 2004.

"Voices From Spoon River" - The Golden Horn Plays the Music of Mark Schultz. Thomas Bacon and James Graber, Horns and Narration with Phillip Moll, piano. Summit Records, DCD 243, 2000.

"A Cool Brassy Night at the North Pole" - Thomas Bacon, horn; David Hickman, trumpet; Sam Pilafian, tuba; with the Chuck Marohnic Jazz Trio in holiday favorites.  Summit Records DCD 223, 1998.

Ensemble:

"Summit Brass Live" - compact disc recording with Summit Brass, music by Strauss, Bach, Shostakovich, Ewazen, Vizzutti, Summit Records DCD 380, 2003.

"Renaissance Faire" - compact disc recording by the Saint Louis Brass Quintet, arrangements by Allan Dean of Renaissance music. Summit Records, DCD 284, 2001.

"Spirits of Fire" - compact disc recording with Summit Brass, music by Casals, Plog, Franzetti, Lazarof, Holst and Koetsier, Paul Lustig Dunkel, conductor, Summit Records DCD 218, 1998.

"Fascinating Rhythms" - compact disc recording by the Saint Louis Brass Quintet, arrangements by Allan Dean of music from Renaissance Spain and France, and jazz arrangements by Joey Sellers of music of George Gershwin. Summit Records, DCD 195, 1997.

"Trumpet Summit" - Trumpet soloists Vincent DiMartino, Allen Vizzutti and Bobby Shew with Summit Brass and rhythm section; Thomas Bacon, horn and Executive Producer. Summit Records DCD169, 1995.

"Native Tapestry" - R.Carlos Nakai performing classical music for Native American flute and chamber ensemble by James DeMars. Canyon Records CR7015, 1994.

"Paving the Way" - Summit Brass, Summit Records, DCD 171, 1994.

"Summit Delights" - Summit Brass, Summit Records, DCD 137, 1992.

"Hindemith: Complete Brass Works" - Summit Brass, Summit Records, DCD 115, 1990

"Colors for Brass" (Music of Anthony Plog) - Summit Brass, Summit Records DCD 116, 1990.

"Toccata and Fugue" - Summit Brass, Summit Records DCD 101, 1989.

"Dupuy, Argento, Benson" - with mezzo-soprano Virginia Dupuy,   featured in "Songs for the End of the World" by Warren Benson. Gasparo Records, GSCD 273, 1989.

"All American Brass" - Summit Brass, Pro Arte American Artists Series, CDD 318, 1987.

"Episodes" - with Doc Severinson and Summit Brass, Pro Arte American Artists Series, CDD 278,  1986.

"Petite Symphonie" by Charles Gounod - Thomas Bacon, horn, with members of the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jiri Starek. Koch/Schwann, SCH311-066, 1977.

"Dynamic Arena" - with Symphonic Metamorphosis, Thomas Bacon, horn, trumpet, harmonica, autoharp, organ, vocals, and arranger. London Records, PS588, 1971.

"Let the Light so Shine" - with Symphonic Metamorphosis. Thomas Bacon, organ, vocals and arranger. 45RPM single. London Records, LON-140, 1971.

"Symphonic Metamorphosis" - (Rock group comprised of members of the Detroit Symphony.) Thomas Bacon, trumpet, organ, vocals, arranger. LP Record. London Records, PS573, 1970.

"Reach Out" - Symphonic Metamorphosis. 45 RPM single, Thomas Bacon, organ, vocals, and arranger. London Records, 45-133-DJ,1970.

"If Wishes Were Horses" - with The Monterays, Thomas Bacon, horn. 45 RPM single. Buff Records, Inc. 1968.

Orchestral:

"Die Valküre - Act I" - Pittsburgh Symphony, Lorin Maazel. Telarc, 1990.

"American Suite" - Dvorak, Michael Tilson Thomas conducting the Berlin Radio Orchestra. CBS Masterworks, 76510, 1976

"La Mer" and "Nocturnes" by Debussy, Comissiona, Houston Symphony Orchestra, Vanguard VA 25015.

"Symphony in D minor" by Cesar Franck, Comissiona, H.S.O. Vanguard VA 25016.

"Burt Bacharach and the Houston Symphony" - A&M Records, SP 3709.

"Celebrate America" - Comissiona, H.S.O. Pro Arte SPC 263.

"Tchaikovsky Waltzes" - Comissiona, H.S.O. Pro Arte PCD 251.

"Sabre Dance" - Comissiona, H.S.O. Pro Arte PCD 250.

"Pomp on Parade" - Comissiona, H.S.O. Pro Arte MM267.

"Dvorak: Symphony No. 8" - Comissiona, H.S.O. Centaur CRC 2018.

"Serenade to Music" - music of Vaughan Williams with Van Cliburn conducting the Interlochen Youth Orchestra. RCA Victor, LSC 2807, 1964.

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• "Long Hair vs. Long-Haired" - Brass and Percussion Magazine
• "Close Encounters With the Third Grade" - Symphony Magazine
• "Chopin Piano Concerto #2" - The Horn Call
• "To B or Not To B" - Yamaha Wind Session Education Series, 1990
• "Müller: Serenade" - McCoy's Horn Library
• "Franz Strauss: Fantasie" - McCoy's Horn Library
• "Silent Night, A Study in Horn Chords" - McCoy's Horn Library
• "Lachner Songs" - Frangipani Press
• "A Horn Player's Study Guide "- Southern Music Company
• "Twentieth Century Brass Soloists" - by Michael Meckna, Greenwood Press, 1994. Thomas Bacon is profiled in the book as one of ninety-nine of the Twentieth century's most influential and prominent soloists on brass instruments. The book also includes Aubrey Brain, Dennis Brain, Barry Tuckwell, Hermann Baumann, Philip Farkas, Louis Armstrong, Adolph Herseth, Maurice Andre, Miles Davis, Herbert L. Clarke, Doc Severinsen, Arthur Pryor, and Wynton Marsalis.
• "The Complete Hornist" - Southern Music Co. - Thomas Bacon is General Editor of this series of music for horn, nineteen titles in print.

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• American Federation of Musicians, Local 65-699
• National Association of Recording Arts & Sciences
• International Horn Society
• Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (Music Fraternity)
• Director of Music Specialists for "The Infography"
• Yamaha Corporation (Performing Artist)
• Summit Brass (Vice President and Artists Board Member)

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1960-64    Lane Technical High School, Chicago, Illinois - concentration in music

1964-66    Chicago Musical College at Roosevelt University

1967         Syracuse University

1967-68    Eastman School of Music

1973-74    Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan
                 - Bachelor of Science, Major in Music

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Max Pottag, Frank Brouk, Marvin Howe, Rudolph Macciocchi, Verne Reynolds, Ray Still (chamber music), Robert McDowell (piano). Private lessons with: Arnold Jacobs, Dale Clevenger, John Barrows, Forrest Standley, Harry Berv, Ethel Merker, David Krehbiel and others.

Thomas Bacon has performed and taught all over the world:

"Outfoxed" - premiere: Winterhornfest, Katzin Concert Hall, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, February 22, 1997. Thomas Bacon and James Graber, horns; Toni-Marie Montgomery, piano.
"Birdbrains" and "Girls and Boys" - premiere: "Salem Presents" concert series, Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas, May 5, 1997, Thomas Bacon and James Graber, horns; Patti Wolf, piano.

Voices from Spoon River --- Mark Schultz
premiere: Sarasota Music Festival, June 3, 1993. Thomas Bacon & James Graber, horns, Joanne Pierce Martin, piano. Theater piece for two hornist/actors, based on the writings of Edgar Lee Masters. Published by Jomar Press, Austin, TX. Recorded by The Golden Horn on "Voices from Spoon River," Summit DCD 243

Alligator Alley --- Mark Schultz
premiere: Sarasota Music Festival, June 1, 1994. Thomas Bacon & James Graber horns, Michael Adcock, piano. Theater piece for two hornist/actors, text by Mark Schultz based on environmental issues in the Everglades. Published by Jomar Press, Austin, TX.

Rainbow horned-dinosaur Anne  --- Mark Schultz (1998)
Soprano, 2 Horns, and Piano. Humorous nonsense song about a fictitious dinosaur.  Recorded by The Golden Horn on "Voices from Spoon River," Summit DCD 243

Raptors --- Mark Schultz (1998)
Recorded by The Golden Horn on "Voices from Spoon River," Summit DCD 243

Sauropods --- Mark Schultz (1998)
Recorded by The Golden Horn on "Voices from Spoon River," Summit DCD 243

Singing out of the lips of silence --- Mark Schultz
premiere: Interlochen Center for the Arts, July 17, 1996. Thomas Bacon and James Graber, horns, with Byron Hanson, piano. Inspired by novelist Willa Cather's book O Pioneers. Published by Jomar Press, Austin, TX. Recorded by The Golden Horn on "Voices from Spoon River," Summit DCD 243

At the Ending of a Year --- Errollyn Wallen
premiere: Foundation for Modern Music (Houston, Texas), May 22, 2005, Thomas Bacon and James Graber, horns with Rodolfo Morale, piano. Published by Edition Peters, London. Written for Thomas Bacon and James Graber. Recorded by Thomas Bacon, James Graber and Caio Pagano on "Discovery" Summit DCD 457

HORN ENSEMBLE -

Angelus
Meditation
Praise ---  Paul Basler
Three pieces for solo horn with horn choir (8 parts) and piano. "Praise" was premiered at Oklahoma Baptist University, Oct. 10, 2004, Thomas Bacon with the Central Oklahoma Horn Choir.

Grand Canyon Octet --- Eric Ewazen
Eight horns. Premiere at Winterhornfest at Arizona State University on Feb. 21, 1997, Arizona State University Horn Ensemble conducted by Thomas Bacon. Commissioned by the Arizona State University horn studio, Thomas Bacon, professor.

Section --- Arthur Gottschalk
Four horns and timpani. Compact disc recording by Thomas Bacon, James Wilson, Nancy Goodearl, James Graber, horns, Richard Brown, timpani: Dragons in the Sky Summit Records DCD135, 1992.

Meditation on Psalm 19:14 --- Michael Horvit
premiere: Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church, Thomas Bacon with the University of Central Arkansas Horn Choir conducted by Brent Shires. For solo horn and ensemble of 8 horns.

Suite in One Movement for Triple Horn Quartet --- Dennis Leclaire
premiere: Sarasota Music Festival, June 5, 1992, Thomas Bacon conductor. Commissioned by the Arizona State University horn studio, Thomas Bacon, professor.

The Heart of Three Faiths --- Adam B. Levowitz
premiere: Oklahoma Baptist University, Oct. 10, 2004, Thomas Bacon with the Central Oklahoma Horn Choir. For solo horn, eight horns and piano

A River of Amber and Bronze --- Mark Schultz
premiere: Southwest Regional Horn Workshop, University of Texas at El Paso, January 16, 1993. Commissioned for the Arizona State University Horn Ensemble conducted by Thomas Bacon. Composed for sixteen horns, eight of whom also play percussion at some time during the piece. Published by Jomar Press, Austin, TX.

Echoes primeval --- Mark Schultz
premiere: New Music Ensemble Concert, Katzin Concert Hall, Arizona State University, April 27, 1995. Arizona State University Horn Ensemble conducted by Thomas Bacon. Commissioned by Arizona State University Horn Studio, Thomas Bacon, professor. Composed for an ensemble of 8-16 horns. Published by Jomar Press, Austin, TX.

Lights! --- Mark Schultz
premiere: First United Methodist Church of Conway, Arkansas, April 2, 2003. Thomas Bacon with the University of Central Arkansas Horn Choir conducted by Brent Shires. Composed for horn solo, piano and ensemble of 4 horns. Published by Jomar Press, Austin, TX.

On the State of Children --- Francis Schwartz
Two horns. premiere: Foundation for Modern Music (Houston, Texas), Feb. 26, 2006, Thomas Bacon and James Graber, horns. Very dramatic theater piece which explores some of the horrible aspects of child abuse, and requires considerable acting as well as musical skills from both hornists.

We Give Thanks --- Wayne Scott
premiere: First United Methodist Church of Conway, Arkansas, April 2, 2003. Thomas Bacon with the University of Central Arkansas Horn Choir conducted by Brent Shires. Composed for horn solo and ensemble of 8 horns.

HORN SOLO WITH LARGE ENSEMBLE-

Concerto for Horn and Wind Ensemble --- Randall E. Faust
premiere: International Horn Society Workshop, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, June 28, 1987. Thomas Bacon, horn. In four movements, each movement is dedicated to a renowned hornist, and is based on some characteristic of that hornist's playing. The second movement is dedicated to Tom Bacon, and is based on a warmup that the composer once heard Mr. Bacon playing prior to a recital performance.

Sea Dreams --- David Maslanka
Premiere: April 7, 1998. Concerto for Two Horns and Wind Orchestra (30 players). Commissioned by a consortium, organized by Thomas Bacon, of horn professors from these schools:

• Arizona State University *
• Ithaca College *
• Univ. of Missouri at Kansas City *
• University of Oregon
• Western Michigan University
• University of North Texas
• Interlochen Arts Academy
• University of Alabama *
• Florida State University
• University of Iowa *

The piece was performed for the first time by each member of the consortium performing at their own school with their own band. Five of those performances (marked with * above) occurred simultaneously, and were broadcast on the Internet, available for listening by anyone with a computer, anywhere in the world. This was the first time ever that such a simultaneous premiere took place.

Concerto # 1 for Horn and Orchestra --- Anthony Plog

Pentangle --- Peter Schickele
Five Songs for Horn and Orchestra.
premiere: Dearborn (Michigan) Symphony Orchestra, January 29, 1976. Thomas Bacon, horn, Nathan Gordon, conductor. Published by Theodor Presser. Recorded by the Louisville Orchestra, Jorge Mester, conductor, with Kenneth Albrecht, horn.

Dragons in the Sky -- Mark Schultz
Horn, Percussion and Orchestra (or Wind Ensemble)
Orchestration (and Wind Ensemble version) of "Dragons" commissioned by a consortium of hornists: Thomas Bacon, William Barnewitz, Jack Herrick, Kent Leslie, Jeffrey Snedeker, and Gail Williams.

Pillars of Fire -- Mark Schultz
premiere: Sarasota Music Festival, June 4, 1994. Thomas Bacon, horn; Paul Wolfe, conductor. Published by Jomar Press, Austin, TX.

HORN WITH OTHER INSTRUMENTS -

Dance Fool, Dance! -- Paul Basler
For horn solo with electronic tape. Published by R.M. Williams Publishers

Arias -- James DeMars
premiere: March 15, 2001, University of Georgia. For two trumpets, horn, trombone and tuba. Commissioned (and premiered) by the Saint Louis Brass Quintet, Thomas Bacon, horn. Published by Proulx Publishing

Acrostic Variations -- David Dzubay
premiere: June 14, 1998, Rafael Mendez Brass Institute at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. For two trumpets, horn, trombone and tuba. Commissioned (and premiered) by the Saint Louis Brass Quintet, Thomas Bacon, horn. Published by Pro Nova Music

"The Good Old Days" from Japanese Songs -- Kazunori Maruyama
1. Yashino-Mi
2. Oedo-Nihonbashi
3. Otemoyan
4. The Rain on Johgashima
premiere in June, 1997, by St. Louis Brass on 12 concert tour in Japan. For brass quintet with optional percussion (one player). Composer's dedication: "For Dear Sir Tom Bacon."

Japanese Songs --- Kazunori Maruyama
1. Akatonbo.
2. Karatchi-no-hana.
3. Variations on a Lullaby of Itsuki.
premiere: Katzen Concert Hall, Arizona State University, October 28, 1994, Yuko Takemichi, soprano, Thomas Bacon, horn, Phillip Moll, piano. For soprano, horn and piano. Recorded by Thomas Bacon and Phillip Moll on "Landscapes of Japan - Phillip Moll and friends" LMCD-1781, 2003

"But that’s not important now" -- Mark Schultz
premiere: June 2, 1998, International Double Reed Society Conference at Arizona State University. For woodwind quintet. Commissioned (and premiered) by ASU woodwind quintet, Thomas Bacon, horn. Published by Jomar Press, Austin, TX.

The Melon Patch --- Mark Schultz
premiere: November 19, 1996, Opus 90 chamber ensemble in concert at the Lucie Stern Theater, Palo Alto, California. Text and music by Mark Schultz. A humorous narrative of a day in the life of a hungry coyote. For narrator, clarinet, horn and piano, with audience participation. Commissioned by Opus 90, Thomas Bacon, hornist. Published by Jomar Press, Austin, Tx.

In My Vision --- Mark Schultz
premiere: San Jose Chamber Music Society, San Jose, CA, August 11, 1990, Opus 90 chamber ensemble. Text of Walt Whitman. For oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon, soprano and piano. Commissioned by Opus 90, Thomas Bacon, hornist. Published by Jomar Press, Austin, TX.

Ashfall --- Mark Schultz
premiere: International Clarinet Association's ClarinetFest '95 at Arizona State University, July, 12, 1995, by Robert Spring, clarinet, Thomas Bacon, horn, with J.B. Smith and Scott Warner percussion. For clarinet, horn and two percussion. Commissioned by Thomas Bacon and Robert Spring. Published by Jomar Press, Austin, TX.

Dragons in the Sky --- Mark Schultz
premiere: Electro-Acoustic Recital Series, University of Texas, April 29, 1989, Thomas Bacon, horn, Richard Brown, percussion. For horn, percussion and computer generated tape. Published by Jomar Press, Austin, TX. (Orchestrated, 1998.)  Compact disc recording by Thomas Bacon with Richard Brown, percussion: "Dragons in the Sky," Summit Records, DCD 135, 1992.

Ring of Fire --- Mark Schultz
for clarinet, horn, piano and percussion (one player), commissioned by Thomas Bacon and Robert Spring.

JAZZ WORKS FOR HORN -

Grand Ur --- Erich Avinger
Horn solo with rhythm section. Compact disc recording by Thomas Bacon with Erich Avinger and other Houston jazz musicians: "The Flipside," Summit DCD 102, 1989.

Tom's Mix --- George Burt
Wild Indigo
Sync or Swim
Horn Quartet with tuba and rhythm section. Compact disc recording by Thomas Bacon (playing all four horn parts) and Houston jazz musicians: "The Flipside," Summit DCD 102, 1989.

Concerto for Tom --- Arthur Gottschalk
Three movements ("Tomfoolery," "Hornful of Blues," and "Cooking with Bacon") for horn solo with big band. premiere: Feb. 7, 1982, Thomas Bacon, Horn, Big Band from the Houston High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, at Clear Lake City, TX high school. Compact disc recording by Thomas Bacon with Rice University Jazz Band: "The Flipside," Summit DCD 102, 1989.