Trombonist Scott Parkinson died unexpectedly Tuesday, July 13, at age 27. Parkinson had recently won the principal trombone position with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Prior to this appointment, which he won through a successful internal audition, Parkinson was Acting Principal for two seasons as well as Second Trombone for two seasons with the BPO.

His friends and family have created a website for people to leave notes of condolence or memories/photos of Parkinson.

Posted July 19, 2004
© International Trombone Association
Reprinted by permission

Scott's Bio

Scott Parkinson is the principal trombonist of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, previously serving for two years as second trombonist. Each summer he is also a member of the Peninsula Music Festival Orchestra in Wisconsin. He has performed with a number of orchestras, including the Metropolitan Opera, Houston Symphony, and the National Repertory Orchestra.

As a chamber musician, Scott has performed with members of the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and the American Brass Quintet. He was a member of the Extension Ensemble, the first fellowship brass quintet in the history of the Aspen Music Festival. He is also a co-founder of the United Brass, a large brass ensemble composed of leading musicians from around the world. The group is planning a tour of Japan in 2003.

Scott has performed as a soloist on many occasions, including appearances with the New Rochester Symphony, the Virginia Youth Symphony, and at the Aspen Music Festival as the winner of the brass concerto competition. His Kennedy Center recital debut in 1997 was as a finalist in the National Symphony Orchestra's Young Artists Competition. Scott was the recipient of the 1999 Lewis Van Haney Philharmonic Prize from the International Trombone Association.

Scott received a Master's Degree from the Juilliard School and a Bachelor's Degree and Performer's Certificate from the Eastman School of Music. His principal teachers include Joseph Alessi, John Marcellus, Milton Stevens, and Per Brevig.