Symphony trombonist overcomes horn failure

February 07, 2008 01:17 pm

— BY RUTH RICE
RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM
As second trombonist for Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Dana Menser of Somerset can’t let anything slide.
Menser started playing with the symphony in 1976, after graduating from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in Winchester, Va.
“This was my first professional job,” Menser said. “I auditioned after I graduated from the conservatory.”
Menser received his degree in music education while majoring in trombone under the instruction of David Summers, bass trombonist for the Kennedy Center Orchestra in Washington, D.C.
Menser explained that there are three trombone players in the Johnstown Symphony.
“We play for most concerts, and there’s an element of stress because these are single parts,” Menser said. “If my part isn’t covered, there’s nowhere to hide.”
He added that in early Baroque music, there were no trombones.
Menser loved the trombone from the first note he ever played.
He was the youngest of three children, and a sister had already played the saxophone while a brother had played the trumpet before him.
“The summer before fourth grade, my Dad brought down his trombone from the attic,” Menser said. “He showed me things that summer, and in the fall at school, I was ahead of the game.”
Menser played his father’s aging trombone, which sometimes fell apart in his hands.
“It was already old when I got it,” Menser said. “Newer ones lock together, but this one didn’t, and I’d be marching down the street and it would fall apart.”
Menser got a newer trombone when he went into ninth grade and upgraded to a professional model in college.
After graduating, Menser worked as substitute teacher for grades one through 12 in public schools throughout Somerset County while teaching instrumental music in parochial schools in the area with the Music for America program.
Menser returned to his home school district, Somerset Area, as elementary band director.
In 1982, he accepted the post of junior high band director, and in 1989, he accepted the position of music department coordinator for the district.
In addition to his school duties, Menser also teaches private lessons two evenings a week and on Saturday mornings.
Menser was instrumental in organizing the Somerset Area Music Education Advocate Coalition in 1993 with a vision of promoting the benefits of music education.
In addition to his symphony role, Menser also has played trombone with Johnstown Civic Concert Band, Potomac Western Maryland Symphony Orchestra and Johnstown Jazz Workshop.
Menser also has worked with such luminaries as Henry Mancini and Bob Hope when they appeared at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena.

Dana Menser
Position: Second trombonist for Johnstown Symphony Orchestra.
Residence: Somerset.
Education: Graduated from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in Winchester, Va., in 1976.
Employment: Music department coordinator for Somerset Area School District.
Family: Wife, Susan; daughter, Laura; son, Mark.

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