Former Member: Ron McWilliams, Trumpets

After 30 incredible years with the Menlo Brass Quintet, Ron McWilliams has decided (following his retirement) to move from the San Francisco Bay Area to Palm Desert in Southern California for the winters and to Reno, Nevada, for the summers, following our 417th performance on November 4 (and over 1,200 rehearsals over the years).

Ron was a founding member of the group in 1982, along with trumpeter Dan Hallock. Trombone artist Barbara Sigler joined the quintet in 1991, Bob Lipton and his tuba have been with us since 1993 and hornist Brian Holmes joined the Menlo Brass in 2006. We are appreciative of the years of professional and personal association with Ron; he has contributed a great deal to the quintet’s growth and successes.

Following the farewell concert, the Menlo Brass Quintet presented Ron with a framed certificate: “This Certificate is presented to Ron McWilliams by the members of the Menlo Brass Quintet in recognition of his contributions as a Founding Member through more than 400 performances from 1982 to 2011. On the occasion of his retirement and final concert performance, Ron McWilliams is now recognized as Trumpet Emeritus with the Menlo Brass Quintet.”

Equally comfortable playing all styles of music ranging from Baroque to jazz, Ron’s inspiring and sensitive playing can be heard on our “A Simpler Life” CD.

Ron McWilliams received his BS in Music Education at the University of Illinois. Ron continued his education to receive an MM in Applied Music from Catholic University while he performed in The U.S. Army Band in Washington, D.C. Ron taught music in the Fairfax County, Virginia, public schools and at Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School in Palo Alto, California.

Finding the right trumpet player for the Menlo Brass Quintet is challenging because it is critical that our newest member has a personality that is compatible with all of the other members of the MBQ and that person has the same musical goals as the MBQ. Although performing ability is of paramount importance, the new trumpet player will be joining "family." The Menlo Brass Quintet works exceptionally well together, and we hope to find someone who can join us with that same spirit. Ron will be missed, and we wish him the best.

Discography:

Equipment:

Bb trumpet - Bach Stradivarius Model 37
Mouthpiece - Monette B4S

D/Eb trumpet - Bach Stradivarius Model 304
Mouthpiece - Bob Reeves 42M

Bb Fluegelhorn - King Model 650
Mouthpiece - Bach 3C

Bb cornet - Bach Stradivarius Model 184G
Mouthpiece - Denis Wick 3

A/Bb piccolo trumpet - Selmer (Paris)
Mouthpiece - Bob Reeves 42M

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