Evan Duke, B.A., M.A., and D.M.A. candidate (University of Kentucky, all but dissertation), has performed on trumpet, cornet, and French Horn. He has served as principal trumpet in the Bob Jones University Symphony orchestra, principal cornet in the university’s top wind ensemble, and principal horn in the University Concert Band. He has been a substitute performer for the Spartanburg Philharmonic and participated in the Collegium Musicum. He has earned a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Trumpet Performance, and currently is working on a DMA in Trumpet Performance from the University of Kentucky. His past teachers include Jim Ruffaner, Bob Birch, Dan Kirsop. He is currently a student of Mark Clodfelter
From 2004-2006, Evan was involved in three operatic productions at Bob Jones University: Andrea Chenier, Elixir of Love, and Mefistofle. In the summers of 2004, 2005, and 2007 Evan traveled on The Bob Jones University Musical Mission Team, a combination choir and brass ensemble that toured Europe and gave nearly 100 concerts per summer. In addition to playing principal trumpet for this group both summers, Evan wrote several of their arrangements and transcriptions. The titles of these works are: Lyons, Ein Feste Burg, O Sacred Head Now Wounded, Like a River Glorious, and Forest Green.
Most recent performances include participating in the inaugural performance of the International Honors Wind Symphony at Avery Fisher Hall (in May of 2009), as well as performing with the University of Kentucky Trumpet ensemble at the 2009 International Trumpet Guild conference in a concert which featured the New York Philharmonic Brass Quintet.
Recently, Evan has joined F.I.R.E. in Fountain Inn, the Fountain Inn Orchestra, the Greenville Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Greenville Light Opera Works. Additionally, he continues to freelance throughout the southeast.
As a member of the Bob Jones University Band, Evan has performed works such as: Dance Movements by Philip Sparke, Paris Sketches by Martin Ellerby, Ghost Train and October by Eric Whitacre, Symphony# 1 “Lord of the Rings” by Johann De Meij, Symphony# 3 by James Barnes, Symphony in Bb by Paul Hindemith, Armenian Dances by Alfred Reed, Summon the Heroes by John Williams, Four Scottish Dances by Malcolm Arnold, Suite 1 in Eb and Suite 2 in F for Band by Gustav Holst.
Evan’s orchestral experience dates back to 1998 when he was a member of the Chesapeake Youth Repertory Orchestra, a group for high school students performing in Annapolis, Maryland. He was later admitted to the Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra, an orchestra for outstanding high school students, and was named the best musician in his final year with that group. Works performed include: Mars, Venus, and Jupiter from The Planets by Gustav Holst, Symphony# 5 by Dmitri Shostakovich, Marche Slav by Peter Illyitch Tchaikovsky, Symphony# 2 (Romantic) by Howard Hanson, Symphony# 5 and #7 by Beethoven, Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky, Symphony# 2 by Jean Sibelius.
Evan continues to perform in recitals, concerts, and at other social occasions throughout the southeast. He plays on Curry Mouthpieces and his primary instruments are Bb Bach Stradivarius (model 43), C Yamaha, Eb/D Schilke, and a Yamaha. Pic.