Stephen Fissel, trombone

Department: Instrumental Performance
Phone:
Email: stfissel@comcast.net
Website:

Raised in a small town in Indiana, Seattle Symphony bass trombonist Stephen Fissel has always had music in his life.

In his elementary school days he used to play his brother’s and sister’s trumpet and flute when they brought them home from school and he began taking trombone lessons in the fourth grade. During high school years guitars and rock-and-roll captured his attention and helped him develop a love for making music. And so, in addition to playing in the school bands, after-school activities revolved around rock bands and learning the latest tunes from recordings of groups like the Beatles, Blood Sweat and Tears, Chicago, and Jimi Hendrix.

After spending a year studying engineering at Purdue University, Fissel decided that music was his calling and he was able to get into the largest and one of the best music schools in the country, the Indiana University School of Music. There, under the tutelage of the great trombonist and teacher Keith Brown, Fissel found that playing trombone in a symphony orchestra met his intense desire to perform, play great music, and be challenged as an artist and craftsman.

Years of study and devotion to developing skills on the trombone led to a succession of jobs as both a performer and a teacher, first in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and then in New Orleans Louisiana. In 1981 Fissel won a position in the trombone section of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. Since that time he has held, at one time or another, all three positions, Principal, Second, and currently, Bass Trombonist.

As a trombone instructor, Fissel has helped students of all ages further their abilities on the instrument and enjoy music-making by learning how to practice effectively and pursue individual development through the art of trombone playing, whether the goal is to be a professional performer or to just have fun with the local band.

Stephen Fissel and Beverly, his wife of 35 years have three children, one grandson, and enjoy bicycling and exercising.

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