Russell Whitehead

Instructor, Trumpet
BM, MM

Russell Whitehead is a professional trumpeter, conductor, recording artist and music educator. He is a recipient of a Master of Music degree in Performance from the University of Michigan where he was a student of Armando Ghitalla (Boston Symphony) and Ramone Parcells (Detroit Symphony). In addition, Mr. Whitehead completed a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the University of Saskatchewan. He has attended masterclasses with Phil Smith, New York Philharmonic, Markus Stockhausen, European recording artist, and James Thomson, Montreal Symphony, and was part of the Banff School of the Arts summer programs, studying with David Hickman of Arizona State University.

He was Principal Trumpet of the Saskatoon Symphony and often conducted the Saskatoon Symphony Core Musicians in chamber and children's shows. He has played with the Edmonton Symphony for 25+ years and was appointed Acting Principal Trumpet for the 2004-05 season. Along with a diverse solo, chamber and freelance career, Russell has been a proponent of Edmonton's New Music scene, mentoring young composers and collaborating with vanguards of the art form. 2006 saw the release of his cd Prairie Scenes, on the Arktos label. He has also performed in musicals and played in jazz and dance bands for many years. He is now a member of the brass quintet, Bok Brass and freelances with many ensembles around Edmonton.

As a music educator, Mr. Whitehead has worked with with the University of Saskatchewan and Kings' College and is currently a sessional instructor at the University of Alberta and instructor at the MacEwan University Conservatory of Music. He works with entire bands often and has been a clinician with Windworks, the Cantando Band Festival and MusiCamp Alberta (Summer Music Workshop), Mr. Whitehead has also adjudicated at music festivals throughout Western Canada. He continues to work with community bands and brass players primarily in Alberta.

Recent Representative Work

Bok Brass and Harp-Edmonton Recital Society, extra with Edmonton Symphony, Band member with Citadel music theatre productions

Teaching all levels including young players at MacEwan University Conservatory of music and MusiCamp Alberta, University level students, adults and working with brass sections and entire bands

Career Highlights and Achievements

Solo CD-Prairie Scenes
Acting principal Trumpet Edmonton Symphony
Teaching 15 years at the University of Alberta