Adolph Herseth

Adolph Sylvester Herseth, or “Bud” as he was known to friends and colleagues, served as Principal Trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1948-2001 and as Principal Trumpet Emeritus from 2001-2004. He was born on July 25th, 1921 in Lake Park, Minnesota. Herseth’s father was a band director at Bertha High School in Bertha, Minnesota. After graduating high school, Herseth attended Luther College, where he received a degree in mathematics. Herseth served as a musician in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Following the war he attended the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Boston Symphony Principal Trumpet, George Mager and Second Trumpet, Marcell LaFosse.Herseth’s original intent was to become a teacher like his father. However, an audition for then CSO Music Director, Artur Rodzinski (who left before Herseth’s entry into the orchestra), changed all of that. Herseth auditioned for what he thought was a section position and was told afterwards he would become the Principal Trumpet of the Chicago Symphony. He held this position for 53 years and served under music directors Rafael Kubelik, Fritz Reiner, Jean Martinon, Sir George Solti and Daniel Barenboim.Along with his tuba colleague, Arnold Jacobs, Herseth led the Chicago Symphony brass section for over 5 decades. The brass section became the cornerstone of the Chicago Symphony and influenced generations of brass players around the globe. Herseth also served as a coach for the Chicago Civic Orchestra, the training orchestra of the Chicago Symphony.Adolph Herseth received honorary doctorates from DePaul University, Luther College, the New England Conservatory of Music, Rosary College and Valparaiso College. In 1994 he was named Instrumentalist of the year by Musical America. In 2001 he was the recipient of the American Symphony Orchestra League’s Golden Baton Award. This marked the first time this award was given to an orchestral player. In 2004, he received the Theodore Thomas Medallion for distinguished service from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.The Principal Trumpet Chair of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is named in his honor and in endowed by an anonymous donor.Adolph Herseth passed away in Oak Park, Illinois on April 13th, 2013.