Vernon, Charles

He is a bass trombonist born in Asheville, North Carolina, often known as Charlie, who studied at Brevard College followed by Georgia State University and Arizona State University.

In 1971 be became a member of the Baltimore Symphony and stayed with them for 9 years before joining the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in 1980. His stay with the SFO was brief before he became a member of The Philadelphia Orchestra in 1981. Five years later he was appointed to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1986.

As a soloist he has made frequent appearances nationally and internationally and gave the world premiere of Concerto for Bass Trombone by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich which was commissioned by the CSO in 1991. Fifteen years later in 2006 he premiered “Chick ‘a’ Bone Checkout” by Christian Lindberg with the CSO. In 2019 he performed the world premiere of Bass Trombone Concerto by James Stephenson which was commissioned by the CSO. He and his wife, Alison, have commissioned several song cycles for piano, trombone and soprano by Eric Ewazen which they have performed in the USA and Europe.

Recordings he has performed on include his own Bass Trombone and as a featured artist on Ewan Ewazen: Bass Hits and Friends in Low Places with the DePaul University Wind Ensemble along with The Medinah Sessions by Chicago Pro Musica, Samuel Barber: The Lovers; Prayers of the Kierkegaard, 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: Prelude/Continuo/Visions, Brahms: Violin Concerto/Sonata No. 3 and the soundtrack of the film Lincoln by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Live by Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass, Impressions by Chip Davis, Brass Nation by Michael Davis, A Fresh Aire Christmas, Yellowstone: The Music of Nature, Christmas Extraordinare, Christmasville and Christmas Symphony by Mannheim Steamroller as well as Charles Argersinger: Concert for Piano and Chamber Orchestra (and Other Chamber Works) and Tribute to Ellington by various artists.

In the field of musical education he has been a faculty member of the Catholic University of America, the Curtis Institute of Music, the New School of Philadelphia, Northwestern University, the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, now University of the Arts (Philadelphia), Roosevelt University and the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University. More recently he has been Professor of Trombone at DePaul University, has also been a guest artist at the International Trombone Association and served as a clinician for the Selmer Instrument Company.

Outside of his career in music he is a swimmer who is a member of the Evenston Masters Swim Team and is a black belt holder in taekwondo.

Christmas Carols recordings by Chicago Symphony Low Brass Ensemble

Angels We Have Heard On High (Traditional/Chadwick/Barnes)
VOX 7501 (CD: Christmas with the Symphony Brass of Chicago)
Conductor – Barry Faldner

The First Nowell (Traditional/Anonymous)
VOX 7501 (CD: Christmas with the Symphony Brass of Chicago)
Conductor – Barry Faldner
Arranger – Luther Henderson

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Anonymous/Traditional)
VOX 7501 (CD: Christmas with the Symphony Brass of Chicago)
Conductor – Barry Faldner
Arranger – Luther Henderson

Here We Come A-Wassailing (Wassail Song) (Anonymous Middle Ages English)
VOX 7501 (CD: Christmas with the Symphony Brass of Chicago)
Conductor – Barry Faldner
Arranger – Luther Henderson

I Saw Three Ships (Traditional/Anonymous)
VOX 7501 (CD: Christmas with the Symphony Brass of Chicago)
Conductor – Barry Faldner
Arranger – Luther Henderson

In Dulci Jubilo (J.S. Bach version)
VOX 7501 (CD: Christmas with the Symphony Brass of Chicago)
Conductor – Barry Faldner

Jingle Bells (James Lord Pierpoint)
VOX 7501 (CD: Christmas with the Symphony Brass of Chicago)
Conductor – Barry Faldner

Joy to the World (Isaac Watts/Lowell Mason/Georg Frideric Handel)
VOX 7501 (CD: Christmas with the Symphony Brass of Chicago)
Conductor – Barry Faldner

Lo, How A Rose (Traditional Anonymous German)
VOX 7501 (CD: Christmas with the Symphony Brass of Chicago)
Conductor – Barry Faldner

O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fidelis)(John Francis Wade/Fred Oakeley)
VOX 7501 (CD: Christmas with the Symphony Brass of Chicago)
Conductor – Barry Faldner

O Holy Night (Adolphe Charles Adam)
VOX 7501 (CD: Christmas with the Symphony Brass of Chicago)
Conductor – Barry Faldner

O Little Town of Bethlehem (Phillips Brooks/Lewis Redner)
VOX 7501 (CD: Christmas with the Symphony Brass of Chicago)
Conductor – Barry Faldner
Arranged – Ralph Vaughan Williams

The Twelve Days of Christmas(Unknown English c18th century/Frederic Austin)
VOX 7501 (CD: Christmas with the Symphony Brass of Chicago)
Conductor – Barry Faldner

Sources:

Vernon, Charles

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