He is a trombonist born in Wisconsin who studied with the former CSO trombonist Frank Crisafulli at Northwestern University.
He became Principal Trombone of the Florida Symphony Orchestra before being appointed Assistant Principal Trombone by the acting music director Irwin Hoffman as a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1968. He held the position of Associate Principal Trombone from 1982 until he retired from the orchestra in 2011 after 43 years service.
Recordings he has performed on include Corigliano: Symphony NO. 1, Arnold Schonberg: Verklarte Nacht Op.4/Piano Pieces Op. 11 & 19/Five Orchestral Pieces Op. 16, Wagner: Overtures and Preludes, Carter/Berio/Takemitsu: Partita/Continuo/Visions and Brahms: Violin Concerto/Sonata No. 3 by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Live by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass and Concert Works and Orchestra Excerpts by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Trombone and Tuba Section.
In the field of musical education he has been a faculty member of Chicago’s American Conservatory of Music.
He performs here…
Sources:
- https://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2011/10/two-veteran-cso-members-retire/
- https://www.stokowski.org/Chicago_Symphony_Musicians_List.htm
- https://cso.org/media/o22mmxla/former-members.pdf
- http://www.windsongpress.com/jacobs/written/Tracy%20-%20Orchestra%20Showcase%20The%20Chicago%20Symphony%20Orchestra.pdf
- http://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-no2009146246/
- https://www.hornguys.com/products/chicago-symphony-orchestra-trombone-and-tuba-section-windsong
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/4004061-James-Gilbertsen