Andrew McCandless, Eastman School of Music’s newly appointed associate professor of trumpet, next week will perform for the first time as a faculty member with the Eastman Wind Ensemble.
A former Eastman School student and current principal trumpet of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, McCandless has performed with symphonies across the U.S., including the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. His appointment was announced by the Eastman School in May.
“I have so many memories of being a student at Eastman. It is an incredible institution that changed the course of my life in a big way,” says McCandless. “Being able to return here as a professor is a very exciting opportunity.
“I also love to teach. In fact, I would say I enjoy teaching more than performing most of the time because of the ability to impact someone. This job is one I never thought I would have but one I am pretty thrilled to have the opportunity to do.”
McCandless also remains on the faculty of the Glenn Gould School, the center for professional training in music performance at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. He will spend the academic year working with four students there, while commuting to Rochester to work with trumpet students at Eastman. He will also play four weeks of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s season.
“If someone had asked me a year ago what would make me leave Toronto, I think the only thing I would have said is Eastman,” says McCandless. “My personal experience draws me back here, as well as the atmosphere of the school. The idea that I would be considered for a position here was impossible to pass up.”
McCandless’ professorship and upcoming performance is a bit full circle. He studied trumpet at the Eastman School until his junior year, when he was offered a position as coprincipal trumpet of the Savannah Symphony.
As an Eastman student, McCandless played in the Eastman Wind Ensemble and toured with the ensemble to Japan. At the time, the ensemble’s current conductor, Mark Davis Scatterday, was an assistant conductor with the ensemble. Next week’s performance marks a reunion of the faculty members, and McCandless’ first time performing as a soloist with the ensemble.
“Playing as a soloist and standing in front of the ensemble is a huge honor. I couldn’t believe Dr. Scatterday offered me to play with them this year. I was very flattered,” says McCandless.
The performance is slated for 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 20 in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. In addition to this performance, McCandless will take the stage as part of the Eastman Faculty Series: Eastman Virtuosi on Saturday, Sept. 30. Here, McCandless will perform as a soloist and will perform a duet alongside another new Eastman faculty member, Justin Benavidez, associate professor of tuba.
More details about both performances can be found on the Eastman School of Music’s concerts and events calendar.
Evan Coleman is a Rochester Beacon contributing writer and a recent University of Rochester graduate. The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. Submissions to the Letters page should be sent to [email protected].