Graduate Teaching Assistant
Eric Bush
Eric Bush is in his second year as Graduate Teaching Assistant for Band at The University of Montana, where he is earning his Master of Music Performance degree. His duties include serving as assistant conductor of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, associate conductor of the University Concert Band, directing Jazz Band II, and assisting with direction of the UM Grizzly Marching Band and Pep Band. In addition to his conducting duties, Mr. Bush also teaches theory and brass pedagogy classes. Currently, Mr. Bush holds the position of third trumpet in The Missoula Symphony Orchestra, principal trumpet in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and UM Symphony Orchestra and plays lead trumpet in UM Jazz Band I. He is also active in many chamber ensembles. His principal teachers at UM are Kevin Griggs and Leon Slater.
Mr. Bush holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree form Central Michigan University where he studied trumpet with Dennis Horton. There, he held the positions of principal trumpet in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, under the direction of John E. Williamson and lead trumpet in CMU Jazz Lab I, under the direction of Rob Smith. During his tenure at CMU, Mr. Bush also played in many ensembles including the CMU Symphony Orchestra, Four and a Horn Brass Quintet, the CMU Brass Band, and other various brass and trumpet ensembles. Mr. Bush has received many scholarships in music including the CMU Outstanding Musician Scholarship and the Clio Amphitheater Award.
Prior to collegiate study, Mr. Bush played with many prestigious ensembles including three summers with The University of Michigan All-State Orchestra at Interlochen, where he held the position of principal trumpet under conductor Larry Livingston (University of Southern California). He also performed four seasons with the Flint Youth Wind Ensemble, under the direction of James Lee and Jamal Duncan and the Flint Youth Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Davin Pierson Torre.
Mr. Bush remains a very active player in both jazz and classical settings as he gigs regularly and teaches many students privately. He is also an alumnus of the national music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.