First ASO Season: 2011/2012
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ANSWER PENDING
ANSWER PENDING
ANSWER PENDING
A native of Lake Orion, MI, Spencer Aston is a performer and educator, and maintains a highly active schedule as a conductor, soloist, ensemble player, and teacher.
Aston is a founding member of the Fenway Quintet and holds regular positions as 3rd Trumpet in the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra and 2nd trumpet in the Glens Falls Symphony (NY). Other orchestral appearances include the New Bedford Symphony, Odyssey Opera, New England Philharmonic, Symphony New Hampshire, Orchestra of Indian Hill, and the Cape Symphony. He was featured soloist with the New England Brass Band on their 2012 album “Christmas Around the World” and recently performed as soloist with the Bridgewater State University Wind Ensemble and the University of Massachusetts-Boston Chamber Orchestra.
Dr. Aston is Assistant Professor of Music at Bridgewater State University, where he leads the BSU Bear Band in addition to teaching applied trumpet and music theory and history. His research interests include the study of modern performance techniques and works by American composers. Prior to his appointment at BSU, he served on the faculties at the University of Massachusetts-Boston, Boston University, and the University of New Mexico. Additionally, Dr. Aston currently serves as the Director of the Massachusetts Youth Symphony Project and principal conductor for the MYSP Chamber Orchestra. He is also the Music Director of the Windham Concert Band in Windham, NH.
Aston is an active adjudicator and clinician for competitions and educational ensembles including most recently the MMEA Central District Festival Junior Orchestra, the National Trumpet Competition, the Brookline Symphony Concerto Competition, and the BSU Jazz Festival. He received high mark of his own in several competitions, including 2nd place at the 2007 National Trumpet Competition Trumpet Ensemble Division, 3rd place at the 2013 North American Brass Band Conference Chamber Division, and the highest solo division award at the 2014 Susan Slaughter International Brass Competition.
Aston holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Boston University, Master of Music degree from the University of New Mexico, and Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music. His primary conducting teachers include Charles Peltz and Dr. Terence Milligan. His primary trumpet teachers include Terry Everson, Jeff Piper, Alan Siebert, and Philip Collins.
Aston is an avid runner and SCUBA diver and lives with his wife and family on the South Shore.