Anthony Pasquarelli Retires After 47 Years

He’s Produced Musicians Around the World

Anthony L. Pasquarelli, known affectionately by his students as “The Boss,” was named the School of Music's first Artist-Lecturer Emeritus in Trumpet after retiring from teaching after 47 years.

A concerto in his honor will be given at 9:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 15, in the College of Fine Arts’ Great Hall during Homecoming Weekend. The concerto has been composed specifically for Pasquarelli by his former student Drew Fennell (A’94), soloist, assistant conductor and resident composer for Pittsburgh’s River City Brass Band.

“Many of Mr. Pasquarelli’s students occupy principal trumpet chairs in major symphony orchestras around the world, while countless others have become private teachers, music educators and performers with his help and guidance,” said Paul Gerlach (A’67), director of the Kiltie Band and the Allegheny Brass Band.

Some of his former students include Mark Schrello (A’68), soloist with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra; Dennis Ferry (A’70), soloist with L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (Geneva, Switzerland); Charles Metzger (A’71), first trumpet for the San Francisco Ballet; Klancy Martin (A’79), principal trumpet for the Caracas Symphony Orchestra (Caracas, Venezuela); Bernard Black (A’79), soloist and principal cornetist with the River City Brass Band; and River City Brass Band conductor Denis Colwell (A’79).

“Professor Pasquarelli honed our skills and techniques, expanded our understanding of trumpet and music literature, and encouraged us to perform,” said Mark Silver (A’68). “He also took a personal interest in his students and was a mentor and friend to me and many, many others.”

For years, Pasquarelli was the most sought-after trumpeter in Pittsburgh, playing first trumpet for the Civic Light Opera, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Grand Opera Company and the Pittsburgh Sinfonietta. He has performed with the Pittsburgh Pops, the Ice Capades and the Ice Follies, and has played under prestigious conductors such as William Steinberg, Andre Kostelanetz, Karl Kritz and Richard Karp.

In addition to the concerto that will be performed during Homecoming Weekend, two others have been commissioned in Pasquarelli’s honor. The first was composed by Carnegie Mellon instructor Byron McCulloh, former bass trombonist with the Pittsburgh Symphony. The second, commissioned by Pasquarelli’s students and the River City Brass Band, was written by prolific British composer Philip Sparke.

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