John Hagstrom has been a Yamaha trumpet artist since 2004. John has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's trumpet section since 1996, when he won the audition for fourth trumpet. A year later, he won the second trumpet position, carrying on the tradition of brass section teamwork for which the CSO is famous. In addition to his position with the CSO he currently leads the trumpet studio at DePaul University.
It has been my great privilege to be associated with Yamaha in the development of the 9000 series Xeno C trumpet. I have been continually impressed with Yamaha's thoughtful attention to the details going into every facet of what is necessary to develop and produce an instrument of this caliber. Every employee I worked with was dedicated to doing the best possible work and it is their imaginative perseverance that kept this project on track through thick and thin. I play this instrument in the Chicago Symphony because it is truly the best tool for the job. Because Yamaha has the most consistent mass manufacturing ability of any instrument maker in the world, superlative orchestral trumpets will now be available to players everywhere.
John Hagstrom has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's trumpet section since 1996, when he won the audition for fourth trumpet. A year later, he won the second trumpet position, carrying on the tradition of brass section teamwork for which the CSO is famous. Prior to joining the Orchestra, he was principal trumpet of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra in Kansas, and served as assistant professor of trumpet at Wichita State University. He currently leads the trumpet studio at DePaul University.
A native Chicagoan, Hagstrom grew up listening to the CSO. Five years of study at the Eastman School of Music were followed by six years in "The President's Own" United States Marine Band in Washington, D.C., where he spent three of those years as principal trumpet. His many solo appearances with the band included four national concert tours and the Camp David wedding of President Bush's daughter, Dorothy.
Recent recordings featuring John Hagstrom include his performance of the Bellini Oboe Concerto and the Sachse Concertino with the Chicago Brass Choir. He also can be heard as lead trumpet on Daniel Barenboim's recording on the Teldec label entitled 'Tribute to Ellington'.
