Experience Summary
Dr. Evan Duke (D.M.A., M. Mus., and B. Mus.) has performed on trumpet, cornet, and French Horn. His past teachers include Jim Ruffaner, Bob Birch, Dan Kirsop, and Mark Clodfelter. From 2004-2006, Evan was involved in three operatic productions: Andrea Chenier, Elixir of Love, and Mefistofele. Evan continues to perform actively in both the Operatic and Music Theater worlds, including recent performances of Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story and Gilbert and Sullivan's Trial by Jury.
In the summers of 2004, 2005, and 2008 Evan traveled on The Musical Mission Team, a combination choir and brass ensemble that toured Europe and gave nearly 100 concerts per summer. Countries that he has performed in include El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, German, Switzerland, Italy, Slovakia, Poland, Russia, and Lithuania.
In addition to playing principal trumpet for this group both summers, Evan wrote several of their arrangements and transcriptions. The titles of these works are: Lyons, Ein Feste Burg, O Sacred Head Now Wounded, Like a River Glorious, and Forest Green.
Some of Evan's most significant performances include participating in the inaugural performance of the International Honors Wind Symphony at Avery Fisher Hall (in May of 2009), as well as performing with the University of Kentucky Trumpet ensemble at the 2009 International Trumpet Guild conference in a concert which featured the New York Philharmonic Brass Quintet.
Evan has been a member of F.I.R.E. (Fountain Inn,) and has recently joined the Fountain Inn Orchestra and Greenville Light Opera Works as principal trumpet. In addition to his playing duties with the Fountain Inn Orchestra, he serves on the advisory board. Other groups that he has performed with include the Foothills Philharmonic, the Greenville Heritage Textile Band, the Fountain Inn Orchestra, and the South Carolina Children's Theater.
In addition to these ensembles, Evan continues to freelance throughout the southeast performing in weddings and other social occasions. As a teacher, Evan teaches students of all ages throughout the South Carolina Upstate. During the spring of 2010, Evan began to transition into the role of Brass Coach for the Young Artists Orchestra in the Greenville County Youth Orchestra.
In addition to his teaching and performing career, Evan also has varied research interests. He continues to work on his D.M.A dissertation, a study of the impact of language on trumpet performance. Recently, he has become a life member of the Golden Key, as well as has been nominated for their ISLP program.
Evan’s orchestral experience dates back to 1998 when he was a member of the Chesapeake Youth Repertory Orchestra, a group for high school students that performs in Annapolis, Maryland. He was later admitted to the Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra, an orchestra for outstanding high school students, and was named the best musician in his final year with that group. During the 2006-7 and 2007-8 seasons, he served as a section substitute for the Spartanburg Philharmonic.
Evan continues to perform in recitals, concerts, and at other social occasions throughout the southeast. He plays on Curry Mouthpieces and his primary instruments are Bb Bach Stradivarius (model 43), C Yamaha, Eb/D Schilke, and a Yamaha piccolo.