Aaron LaVere has served as Principal Trombone of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra since 2014. Prior to this appointment, he held the position of Principal Trombone with the Oregon Symphony Orchestra for thirteen years, Guest Principal Trombone with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, and Principal Trombone for both the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Oregon Bach Festival. As a Fellow of the New World Symphony, he performed under renowned conductors including Michael Tilson Thomas, Hans Vonk, Sergiu Comissiona, Vladimir Spivakov, Donald Runnicles, and Hugh Wolff. Mr. LaVere has also performed with distinguished ensembles such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, San Antonio Symphony, Kalamazoo Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony, Flint Symphony, Ravinia Festival, Grant Park Orchestra, Washington National Opera Orchestra, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
A dedicated soloist, Mr. LaVere has appeared across the United States, performing concertos by Launy Grøndahl, Ferdinand David, and Gordon Jacob. As an active chamber musician, he is a member of the Baltimore Symphony Brass Quintet and has collaborated with the Oregon Symphony Brass, Detroit Chamber Winds, Detroit Symphony Brass Quintet, Michigan Chamber Brass, and New World Brass Quintet. Committed to education, Mr. LaVere has presented master classes throughout North America and Asia. He has also been on faculty with the Peabody Conservatory, University of Maryland, Oregon State University, Reed Collage, and also teaches in his own studio. He holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of Michigan, where he studied under H. Dennis Smith.
Mr. LaVere’s performances can be heard on recordings with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Oregon Symphony Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Oregon Bach Festival, and Oregon Symphony Brass.
“I started my professional career on an Edward’s trombone, but as I progressed to other orchestras, I experimented with other companies and horns, only to find that there was always a trade-off in sound production and ease of play. I have finally come home to playing Edwards and couldn’t be happier with my decision. Beautiful big rich resonance with fantastic fast response and the ability to produce wonderful colors in the sound.”