Douglas Yeo
Lee University will present Douglas Yeo, renowned bass trombonist and John Moors Cabot Bass Trombone Chair of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, on April 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Squires Recital Hall in the final concert of the annual Squires Recital Series.
Douglas Yeo is not only recognized for his skill in bass trombone performance; he is also a leading specialist in historical brasses such as buccin, ophicleide, bass sackbut and serpent. Originally from Monterey, Ca., Mr. Yeo began playing trombone at the age of nine. Since then, he has been involved in every aspect of the music world, including performance, conducting and teaching. Yeo earned his bachelor's degree with honor from Wheaton College and his master's degree from New York University.
Mr. Yeo has been a soloist with the Boston and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras and was the first trombonist to perform a solo in both orchestras. Under the direction of celebrated composer John Williams, Mr. Yeo performed Williams' Tuba Concerto with the Boston Pops Orchestra as the first trombonist to perform the piece and Simon Proctor's Concerto for Serpent and Orchestra. Mr. Yeo also premiered Lawrence Wolfe's Wildfire with the University of Washington Wind Ensemble and several Norman Bolter compositions including Temptation for serpent and string quartet, Ancestors for didgeridoo, shofar and serpent and La Grotte Cosquer for tenor and bass trombones.
Mr. Yeo was a featured guest artist and clinician at the International Trombone Festival and has been featured on several radio and television shows including PBS' Evening at the Pops and the pre-game show of the National Football League's Super Bowl XXXVI with the Boston Pops Orchestra.
Mr. Yeo's first solo recording, Proclamation with The Black Dyke Mills Band has gained critical acclaim. His latest recording, Two of a Mind, a collection of solos and duets with tenor trombonist Nick Hudson accompanied by the Williams Fairey Band and pianist David Chapman, was released in 2002 under the Egon label.
Mr. Yeo is an international Yamaha Performing Artist and has collaborated with Yamaha to produce a signature bass trombone and the Yamaha Douglas Yeo Signature Series Bass Trombone Mouthpiece. He is also a prolific writer and has published several articles on brass instruments and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Mr. Yeo's extensive musical background includes performances with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, orchestral performances for several Broadway shows and two years as a high school band director. Yeo has served on the faculty of the New England Conservatory of Music, the annual Hamamatsu International Wind Academy and Seminar, the Peabody Conservatory of Music and the Catholic University of America.
All concerts in the Squires Recital Series are free and open to the public. To reserve a ticket, please contact the Dixon Center Box office at 614-8343. For more information on events of Lee University School of Music, the main office can be reached by calling (423) 614-8240 or by visiting www.leeuniversity.edu.