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Home › People › Directory › Michael D Becker

Michael D Becker

Adjunct Instructor

Music Bldg, Room 109

Michael Becker joined the faculty at the University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music in 2019. In addition, he is Principal Trombone of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and Second Trombone of the Arizona Opera Orchestra. During the summer season, he holds the position of Bass Trombone with the Britt Festival Orchestra in Jacksonville, OR.  Formerly, he served 6 seasons as Second Trombone of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra (now the Hawaii Symphony) and one season as Principal Trombone of the Savannah Symphony Orchestra.

He has performed and recorded in orchestras across the United States and abroad, most notably in the Chicago Symphony as first call substitute since being a finalist for a position in that orchestra in 1989. Michael has performed, recorded and toured with the CSO under luminaries including Sir Georg Solti, Daniel Barenboim, Pierre Boulez, and Ricardo Muti. He has performed, toured and recorded extensively with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under Neeme Järvi. He can be heard as one of three featured trombonists in the recording of Michael Daugherty’s Motor City Triptych.

Mr. Becker has also performed with the London Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Lyric Opera of Chicago, the New York Philharmonic, Sir Georg Solti’s World Orchestra in Geneva, Switzerland, Baden Baden, Germany, and London, the Malaysian Philharmonic, Bergen Philharmonic, Charlotte Symphony, Alabama Symphony, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. In the summer, he has performed at the Grand Teton Music Festival, Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, Ravinia Festival, Cabrillo Festival, the Chautauqua Festival and Arizona Opera’s Wagner Ring Cycle. Mr. Becker has also been Bass Trombone of the Colorado Music Festival and has performed in Yo Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble.

He received his Bachelor of Music in Trombone from Indiana University and his master’s degree from Arizona State University.

As a dedicated teacher, Mr. Becker presents clinics at major universities throughout the country. He also served as adjunct professor of Trombone at the University of Hawaii, Manoa and the University of Arizona, and as Visiting Professor of Trombone at the University of Georgia and Northern Arizona University.

In 2005, Mr. Becker created and launched the annual Becker Low Brass Boot Camp in Tucson, Arizona. This weeklong, intensive workshop, with a focus on developing audition skills and preparation, attracts students and young professionals from around the country who are pursuing a career in symphony orchestras.

As an active soloist and chamber music artist, he has had two solo works written for him, Still Points Concerto by Peter Askim and Characters, a sonata by Carmela Cinco. Mr. Becker is a member of the Tucson Symphony Brass Quintet, performing more than 40 concerts annually. He has performed as soloist with ensembles including the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, The Idylwyld Arts Academy Orchestra, and the Tucson Pops Orchestra. As a solo recitalist, Mr. Becker can be heard performing at major Universities across the nation, and on his solo bass trombone recording, Songs and Dances.

In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, cooking and most of all tennis!

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The University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music
4 days ago
The University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music

StellarScape
September 9 & 10, Friday & Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Crowder Hall, $18, 10

Music.arizona.edu/tickets



StellarScape is an immersive multimedia performance synthesizing music, science, visual art, and technology. The performance includes live musicians, electronic music, and dance, collaborating with interactive cinematography – fusing kinesthetic and acoustic sensing with cosmic simulation, in real time. This convergence research collaboration is catalyzed by the union of concepts at the confluence of astronomy, humanity, artistic expression through music and dance, and socio-technical experience. ​

It’s a story of a massive star, from its birth to its death, echoing the theme of darkness and light.

It’s a story about us. We are stardust brought to life.

Kay He
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The University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music
4 days ago
The University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music

Ensemble Auditions for Fall 2022 are coming up!

To register and download audition materials visit:
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The University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music
3 weeks ago
The University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music

Bravo!

UA Choirs is excited to share that alums Drs. Marcela Molina and Ben Hansen have been invited to serve as Interim Co-Directors of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus for the 22-23 season. Congratulations Marcela and Ben!
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The University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music
3 weeks ago
The University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music

The Fred Fox Graduate Wind Quintet traveled to the city of Le Mans, France, to perform for the Festival Musica Malicorne, June 30-July 4. ... See MoreSee Less

Graduate Wind Quintet performs in castle for Festival Musica Malicrone - Arizona Arts

arts.arizona.edu

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The University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music
2 months ago
The University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music

Congratulations to faculty member Dr. José Luis Puerta and alumnus Alfredo Vázquez on the release of their new album "Appunti" under the Seville-based Contrastes Records. The album was recorded at the Haskell Recording Studio at the University of Arizona School of Music by Wiley Ross. The debut CD Of the Puerta-Vázquez Duo is a monographic work of Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. The album includes pieces that were dedicated or made famous by Duo Presti Lagoya, Sonatina Canonica, and Fuga Elegiaca. The latter one was dedicated to them posthumously. The album also presents a unique interpretation of Appunti Op. 210. A setting for two guitars by the late David Grimes, who made this with Tedesco’s approval. The CD release concert will take place as part of the Faculty Artist Series on October 22, 7:00 PM, Holsclaw Hall.

The album is available for purchase as well as streaming on all platforms.

For more information about the duo please visit

video link:

Jose Luis Puerta
Alfredo Vazquez
Contrastes Records
#HaskellRecordingStudio
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Felicidades 🎊🎉🎈

Muchas felicidades y bendiciones !!!! Siempre has sido un honesto luchador y vencedor. !!!

It’s a wonderful recording!

Congratulations!

¡FELICITACIONES!

Felicidades José Luis! Excelente Dúo!

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The University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music
2 months ago
The University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music

Fred Fox Graduate Wind Quintet
Festival Musica Malicorne Farewell Concert
Cassandra Gunn – Flute
Gabriella Beltran – Oboe
Cristian Barazal – Clarinet
Caitlynn Sandberg – Horn
Matthew Dutczak – Bassoon
Friday June 24, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.
Holsclaw Hall & Facebook Live
Livestream:

$Free Admission

As the Fred Fox Graduate Wind Quintet prepares to travel to attend the Festival Musica Malicorne in Le Mans, France, they would like to invite you to a farewell concert on Friday June 24, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. in Holsclaw Hall and via livestream on Facebook and Instagram. The performance will feature a reduction of Georges Bizet’s opera, “Carmen” and other traditional French and American repertoire.

The students have a go-fund-me to assist with travel expenses:
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Fred Fox School Of Music

P.O. BOX 210004
1017 North Olive Road
Music Building, Room 109
Tucson, AZ 85721-0004

Email: musicweb@cfa.arizona.edu

Phone: 520.621.1655

Fax: 520.621.8118


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College of Fine Arts

P.O. BOX 210004
1017 North Olive Road
Music Building, Room 111
Tucson, AZ 85721-0004

Email: finearts@cfa.arizona.edu

Phone: 520.621.1302

Fax: 520.621.1307

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