Chautauqua Memorials

[Religion At Chautauqua]

It is with sympathy that we share the obituaries of Chautauquans who have recently died.

Longtime Chautauquan Jerry Vreeland of Knoxville TN died December 13, 2024. His obituary can be found online at the following link: https://www.knoxnews.com/obituaries/pokr1036820 

John Marcellus passed away on December 31, 2024. He served as Principal Trombone in the Chautauqua Symphony from 1978-2024. A service will be held virtually on Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 3 pm: https://www.facebook.com/share/12DS3uHQtS6/ 

Dr. Marcellus was Emeritus Professor of Trombone (Retired) at the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester and past Chairman of the Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Department.  He was also Conductor of the Richey Community Orchestra in Port Richey, Florida, Music Director of the Bemus Bay Pops and the Chautauqua Lake Pops in Mayville, NY since 1988, Emeritus Music Director of the Brighton (NY) Symphony Orchestra (1980-2014).

He served as Principal Trombone with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra from 1978-2024 and was also a Clinician for the Buffet-Crampon Group for Courtois Trombones. As a free-lance trombonist in Florida he performed with the Florida Wind Band, Tampa Bay Symphony, St. Pete College Wind Symphony, Villages Philharmonic Orchestra, and as a substitute trombonist with the Helios Jazz Orchestra and the TomKatz Jazz Orchestra and had recently formed the Marcellus-Winding Trombone Septet, a jazz trombone ensemble.
 
He attended Florida State University (1957-1960) and completed a B.S. in Education from University of Maryland (1960), Master of Music and Doctorate of Music Degrees are from Catholic University of America in 1972 and 1974. He was the first Low Brass teacher at the North Carolina School of the Arts in 1965, and also taught trombone and brass ensembles at the Interlochen Arts Academy, American University, Howard University, Catholic University of America and the Wolf Trap Academy of the Arts

For 13 years John was Principal Trombone with the National Symphony Orchestra and former soloist with the United States Navy Band (Washington, DC), Associate Principal Trombone with the Baltimore Symphony (1964) and Principal Tuba at the age of 16 with the Jacksonville (Fla.) Symphony Orchestra.

He gave solo recitals and master classes throughout the United States and Canada and in England, France, Germany, Austria, Japan, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Australia, Greece, Poland and Hungary.

Marcellus premiered or commissioned over 50 contemporary works for trombone and trombone ensembles and was the Director/Host of the International Trombone Workshop/Festival in 1991 and 2014 at the Eastman School. He was a founding board member and Past President of the International Trombone Association.

In June 1999 he received the International Trombone Associations' award in recognition of his accomplishments in Trombone Performance, Literature and Pedagogy and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. The American Trombone Workshop awarded him a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.

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There are many ways that the Chautauqua community remembers those who have died. Please use the form linked below to share information about memorializing a loved one and to request follow up from Chautauqua Institution staff. If you would like to share a loved one’s obituary or host a memorial service at Chautauqua, please reach out to the Department of Religion staff via email (reli...@chq.org).

Chautauqua Memorials

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Melissa Spas

Vice President

Department of Religion
reli...@chq.org 

Chautauqua Institution
PO Box 28 | 1 Ames Ave 
Chautauqua, NY 14722  
chq.org  


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