Roger Voisin

French-born American classical trumpeter (26 June 1918 – 13 February 2008). In 1959, The New York Times called him "one of the best-known trumpeters in this country." Arguably one of the most influential trumpet performers and teachers of the twentieth century, Voisin joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra as assistant principal trumpet in 1935 at age seventeen, and became principal trumpet in 1950. He was the youngest musician to be accepted as a member of the Boston Symphony. He performed in the Boston Symphony for 38 years, until 1973. During this period, he was also principal trumpet with [a406285]. Voisin moved to the United States as a child when his father, René Voisin (1893-1952), was brought to the Boston Symphony as fourth trumpet by Serge Koussevitzky in 1928. He was initially a student of his father, but he later studied with the Boston Symphony's second trumpet Marcel LaFosse (1894-1969) and principal trumpet Georges Mager (1885-1950). He is credited with premiere performances of many major works for trumpet including Paul Hindemith's Sonata for Trumpet and Piano (with Hindemith at the piano), and [a115464]' Prayer of St. Gregory. He is also credited with the US premiere of [a526583]'s Trumpet Concerto, performing with the Boston Pops Orchestra in 1966. Leroy Anderson wrote A Trumpeter's Lullaby for Roger Voisin in 1949, and it was first recorded with Arthur Fiedler conducting Voisin and the Boston Pops Orchestra in 1950. He recorded solo trumpet music, edited trumpet solos, orchestral excerpts, and brass ensemble literature and had a great collaboration with Robert King Music Co. He taught at the New England Conservatory of Music for 30 years. In 1975 he became a full professor at Boston Univ, teaching trumpet and chairing the wind, percussion and harp department until his retirement in 1999. His students are found performing in orchestras and teaching at conservatories and universities throughout the world.