Chuck Daellenbach BM 66, MA 68, PhD 71

Chuck Daellenbach and his tuba have added music, imagination and humor to the Canadian Brass ever since the group began in 1970. The warm and commanding bass sounds of his gold-plated Yamaha tuba are the bedrock of the group's repertoire - from Baroque to jazz. To audiences around the world, Chuck is also admired as a witty stage performer, whose improvised banter with trombonist Gene Watts is a concert trademark.

Chuck comes from a long line of German and Swiss musicians, and during his childhood in Wisconsin his father gave him daily music lessons. He left the Eastman School of Music with a PhD at the age of 25, and headed north to teach music at the University of Toronto. His academic plans were derailed when he met Gene Watts, who had plans for a unique brass quartet - now a quintet - with Chuck on tuba. In 1970, the brass quintet was not established as a serious concert ensemble, and it proved an irresistible challenge to Gene and Chuck.

Together the two created the Canadian Brass, developing a group with a unique character and a new model for daring stage presentation of eclectic repertoire. "The music must be satisfying, and the format interesting and entertaining," says Chuck. Canadian Brass presentations range from formal classical concerts to music served up with lively dialogue and theatrical effects. No matter what the style, the music is performed with utmost dedication and excellence.

The "fabulous five" spend most of their time on tour, and have performed with many major symphony orchestras in the US, Canada, Europe and Japan. They have gained a large international following for their solo performances, TV appearances, and videos and DVDs. They have been invited by the Canadian Government to play for visiting heads of state on numerous official occasions.

All the members of the Canadian Brass are keenly interested in training the next generation of players. They are chamber quintet-in-residence at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California, and each summer the Eastman School looks forward to the workshops, master classes, and performances of "Canadian Brass Weekend."

Chuck Daellenbach's energy is legendary, and he gives the word "multi-tasking" new meaning. Among his projects is a series of 200 brass works published by Hal Leonard and played by students everywhere. He is a superb musician, overall stage performer, businessman, and innovator, and the Eastman School of Music is pleased to give him its Alumni Achievement Award.

Rochester, New York

May 15, 2005