John Marcellus RIP

[Doug Elliott]

Died on December 31
(Edited, I accidentally put January 31)

John Marcellus went to Florida State and was a student of Bill Cramer. He played in.the US Navy Band. He then played in the Baltimore Symphony for a short time and the National Symphony for several years before becoming the trombone professor at Eastman in 1976

I started studying with Marcellus when I was in 9th or 10th grade and continued through college. He was amazing as both a player and teacher. Huge influence on me.

I don't see him.mentioned much here... are any of his students here on TC?

[hyperbolica]

I played for him a couple of times, and while living in Rochester I played in a local orchestra that he was conducting, I think it was the Brighton Symphony. When was he at Catholic University? I've seen him a couple of times at the ETW/ATW just walking around with mere mortals. Truly a legend.

[Doug Elliott]

He taught at Catholic University in DC through 1976 when he got the gig at Eastman. He wanted me to go there but at that point I'd had enough of school and I was starting to freelance, which is what I really wanted to do. And he trained me well for that. Every lesson was sightreading, hard stuff and he expected it to be perfect the first time.

[GabrielRice]

I only met him a couple of times, but several of my favorite colleagues studied with him. They all play musically, know how to play in an ensemble, and have very clear conceptions of what the objectives really are.

[BassBoneFL]

I was Doc's TA at Eastman for 2yrs while I was getting my MM degree. While I was there, I wasn't exactly sure what to make of Doc's teaching. I knew I was getting better as a player and musician and learning a lot, just wasn't sure how. His methods were different from my undergrad diet of Crisafulli/Kleinhammer/Jacobs, but you couldn't argue with the results. However, all three of the CSO guys spoke highly of him as a player and teacher and told me I should go to Eastman to work with him. Doc was incredibly knowledgeable musically and pedagogically across many genres and styles. He also had some very unique takes and approaches to things as well. As for me, while I was there, I was a finalist in several major orchestra auditions and won my first full-time job the day I was supposed to graduate.

Over the years, I've realized just how much he taught me and how much I learned while I was studying with him. Much of it I didn't even realize while it was happening. Judging by the number of great players he taught over the years, and how DIFFERENT they all are, it seems he used his vast knowledge of trombone and music across many styles to help the student find who they were and become their best self. I know he definitely helped me become a better player, musician, teacher, and person.

On a side note, Doc was one HECK of a great player. His recitals were unforgettable, he won the US Navy Band job in the middle of his undergrad, (later becoming principal in Baltimore and National) and all three of my CSO teachers told me he played the best brass audition for CSO that they'd ever heard for their Asst Trbn position. (which he turned down for the NSO principal job) He'd been at ESM for about 10yrs when I was there, and he could still bring it!!

He also finished his undergrad and got his MM and DMA while holding the Navy, Baltimore, and NSO positions. Not an easy feat. And last but not least, he was a heck of a great person.

[GabrielRice]

This is some great pedagogy right here:

[sf105]

Does anyone have access to the full video? It doesn't seem to be available at the advertised site.

[Bach5G]

January 31?

[2bobone]

John and I were musical colleagues in the D.C. service bands, John in The U.S. Navy Band and myself in the U.S. Army Band. Although I was a euphonium player in TUSAB, I dabbled in trombone playing on a Conn 88H until John showed up one day with a Conn 72H bass under his arm, handed it to me and told me I should try it. It was love at first blow and I was never able to thank him enough for that career push. After a dozen years in the NSO section with John as the principal trombonist, he was stolen away by my old Alma Mater, The Eastman School of Music. He truly was irreplaceable, and I never recovered from that loss. Only a few months ago I heard John and his trumpet-playing son, Fred [ex Marine Band], perform with The Virginia Grand Military Band. He was the same indefatigable, easy-going, immensely talented guy I'd always known. We are a lot poorer now. RIP Old Friend.

[92jzz30]

Around 2003 I almost walked away from the Eastman School of Music. Failed a jazz jury, worked 3 minimum wage work study jobs to try and keep up with college, and lost the desire to continue lessons. When that semester ended, on a whim I asked if I could transfer to his studio.

I studied with him directly from 2003-2005. We would have our weekly lessons and I would always ask about your past students. I was mainly into jazz & classical music, but you had a way of introducing other trombone players to me. You would always mention Michael Davis, Pankow, La Bamba, etc and tell me to look at their careers. I would always joke "Yeah right Doc odds of me doing something like that is 1/100,000". When I graduated in 2005, I crossed you on stage at Eastman Theater and jokingly said "No looking back!"

He was everything I needed at the time from teacher/mentor. I attribute my career to the vision he had, and saw way before it came in fruition.

Died on January 31

John Marcellus went to Florida State and was a student of Bill Cramer. He played in.the US Navy Band. He then played in the Baltimore Symphony for a short time and the National Symphony for several years before becoming the trombone professor at Eastman in 1976

I started studying with Marcellus when I was in 9th or 10th grade and continued through college. He was amazing as both a player and teacher. Huge influence on me.

I don't see him.mentioned much here... are any of his students here on TC?

[92jzz30]

12/31

January 31?