The Laguna Concert Band hires professional musicians to both perform as Guest Artists during many of our concerts as well as give Master Classes to our membership to further the growth of our players. Here are some of the fine professional musicians that work with the Laguna Concert Band through offering masterclasses to the band membership as well as by performing with the band as Solo artists.
Gene Pokorny - Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Gene
Pokorny is a well established member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
playing Principal Tuba. He began his musical training early, not far
from Los Angeles. “I started out on piano and eventually switched over
to trumpet, then clarinet, and then finally, by junior high school, I
was playing the tuba. Afterwards, I attended the University of
Redlands for two years; I decided to study at USC, so I could have
regular Tuba lessons with Tommy Johnson ’56. He not only taught tuba at
USC, but was also one of the finest players of the instrument anywhere.
He set the standards high, but always made you feel like the goals were
achievable.”
"My first real position was playing in the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, which I did get at the conclusion of my graduation from USC in 1975. I felt very fortunate to get that position. The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra was looking for a tuba player because theirs had resigned. Zubin Mehta, Music Director of the Israel Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the time, asked his tuba player in the Los Angeles Philharmonic (Roger Bobo) who he should listen to for the position that was then open in Israel. Some of us in the LA area auditioned and Mehta heard some others in various places but he happened to choose me.”
Since his graduation from USC, Pokorny has amassed an impressive resume. He worked with the Israel Philharmonic from 1975-1978, the Utah Symphony Orchestra from 1978-1983, the St. Louis Symphony from 1983-1989, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1989-1992, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra from 1992-1993. He then returned to the Chicago Symphony orchestra in 1993 and has been performing with that group ever since. While performing with the LA Philharmonic, Pokorny also worked in the studios playing for major motion pictures like Jurassic Park. “I actually ended up subbing for Tommy Johnson on that session. He had another performance and there were two tuba parts in that movie score. Jim Self DMA ’76 (who played the other tuba part) asked the contractor to hire me for the session since Tommy could not make it.”
Gene Pokorny has accumulated a number of tubas over the years. “I have not intended to be an instrument collector, but it turns out I have about a dozen tubas that I have collected. These are instruments that I actually use.”
Although he keeps a busy schedule, Pokorny always tries to find time to help young musicians. “I do teach but don’t have regular students. Many students will come to Chicago to take advantage of hearing the Chicago Symphony and take some lessons. They range in age from high school through college and professionals. I also get older players and hobbyists who are in their 70’s and older.
In addition to his daily practice on the Tuba, Pokorny believes in regular physical conditioning to be able to perform well. “I try to do some regular exercise at Bally’s and with that I do some breathing exercises which actually helps with the tuba playing. I am also a great believer in Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. When asked about advice for young people trying to enter the profession, Pokorny is positive and practical. “I am encouraging to them but I also do not want to give them false hope. Before they go into an audition I want the students to try to understand exactly what is being sought by those who are doing the evaluating. The students themselves must understand that and they must know their own strengths. They must find ways in the audition process (which can last as little as two minutes) to get those factors to line up so they can be considered for further evaluation and perhaps a position.”
"My first real position was playing in the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, which I did get at the conclusion of my graduation from USC in 1975. I felt very fortunate to get that position. The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra was looking for a tuba player because theirs had resigned. Zubin Mehta, Music Director of the Israel Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the time, asked his tuba player in the Los Angeles Philharmonic (Roger Bobo) who he should listen to for the position that was then open in Israel. Some of us in the LA area auditioned and Mehta heard some others in various places but he happened to choose me.”
Since his graduation from USC, Pokorny has amassed an impressive resume. He worked with the Israel Philharmonic from 1975-1978, the Utah Symphony Orchestra from 1978-1983, the St. Louis Symphony from 1983-1989, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1989-1992, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra from 1992-1993. He then returned to the Chicago Symphony orchestra in 1993 and has been performing with that group ever since. While performing with the LA Philharmonic, Pokorny also worked in the studios playing for major motion pictures like Jurassic Park. “I actually ended up subbing for Tommy Johnson on that session. He had another performance and there were two tuba parts in that movie score. Jim Self DMA ’76 (who played the other tuba part) asked the contractor to hire me for the session since Tommy could not make it.”
Gene Pokorny has accumulated a number of tubas over the years. “I have not intended to be an instrument collector, but it turns out I have about a dozen tubas that I have collected. These are instruments that I actually use.”
Although he keeps a busy schedule, Pokorny always tries to find time to help young musicians. “I do teach but don’t have regular students. Many students will come to Chicago to take advantage of hearing the Chicago Symphony and take some lessons. They range in age from high school through college and professionals. I also get older players and hobbyists who are in their 70’s and older.
In addition to his daily practice on the Tuba, Pokorny believes in regular physical conditioning to be able to perform well. “I try to do some regular exercise at Bally’s and with that I do some breathing exercises which actually helps with the tuba playing. I am also a great believer in Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. When asked about advice for young people trying to enter the profession, Pokorny is positive and practical. “I am encouraging to them but I also do not want to give them false hope. Before they go into an audition I want the students to try to understand exactly what is being sought by those who are doing the evaluating. The students themselves must understand that and they must know their own strengths. They must find ways in the audition process (which can last as little as two minutes) to get those factors to line up so they can be considered for further evaluation and perhaps a position.”
Cynthia Ellis - Pacific Symphony Orchestra
Tony Ellis - Pacific Symphony Orchestra
Tony Ellis has held the position of second trumpet with the
Pacific Symphony Orchestra since 1984. He has also been heard performing
principal trumpet with the PSO for Stravinsky’s Petroushka, Tchaikovsky’s
Symphony No. 5, and Moussorgsky’s Pictures At An Exhibition which were
broadcast live on KMZT. He has performed
with the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Music Center Opera
Orchestra, Cabrillo Music Festival, and
Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.
Tony has performed with Southwest Chamber Music for the last ten years, during which time he recorded four cd’s. He has performed solo trumpet on Carol Chavez Complete Chamber Works Volume 2. The performance won a GRAMMY for best Small Ensemble Performance, Classical Category in February 2005.
Tony is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton where he earned both his bachelor and masters of music degrees in trumpet performance. He lives in Brea with his wife, flutist Cynthia Ellis and two Labrador retrievers Diva and Penny. He is an avid golfer and auto-racing enthusiast.
Tony has performed with Southwest Chamber Music for the last ten years, during which time he recorded four cd’s. He has performed solo trumpet on Carol Chavez Complete Chamber Works Volume 2. The performance won a GRAMMY for best Small Ensemble Performance, Classical Category in February 2005.
Tony is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton where he earned both his bachelor and masters of music degrees in trumpet performance. He lives in Brea with his wife, flutist Cynthia Ellis and two Labrador retrievers Diva and Penny. He is an avid golfer and auto-racing enthusiast.
Gary Gould
Woodwind artist Gary Gould performs a unique combination of musical styles including jazz saxophone, klezmer clarinet, Irish penny whistles, and tonight... the spooky sounds of the electronic Theremin. Born in Detroit, Gary’s passion for music has been acknowledged since childhood. During high school he won the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award and was listed in Who’s Who in Music. Before graduating from Cal State Fullerton he was awarded the Most Outstanding Jazz Musician. And in 1995 he entered and won the "KTWV The Wave" Saxophone Contest for Southern California. He has since written dozens of educational and entertaining lectures/performances which he presents as a 1-man show for schools, churches & synagogues, service organizations, senior groups, and other special events. Please visit www.garygould.com to see the demonstration movies.
Charlie Warren
Charlie has had a variety of musical interests. While in college pursuing a Bachelor and Masters degrees in Music from California State University Fullerton, he played on numerous film score soundtracks as well as performed the Ralph Vaughan Williams "Tuba Concerto" with a local orchestra. After college, Charlie found himself performing on string bass with the "Thunder Mountain Boys" bluegrass band, playing 8-key flute, tin whistle, and bodhran with many traditional Irish groups, as well as recorder with the Los Angles Baroque Orchestra. He has recorded over fifty albums including M.C.A. and Branson intersound (Nashville) with various artists including David Grissman, Darrel Anger, and John Jorgenson. Charlie now teaches at Riverside City College and Concordia University and has published over seventy works for brass groups.
