Dennis Ferry

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Dennis Ferry began his musical education in the U.S. with his father, a big-band trumpeter. He obtained a BFA degree in music from Carnegie-Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA) and a Masters in Music from Catholic University (Washington, D.C.) In 1977, he was named Principal Trumpet of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in Geneva, Switzerland, a position that he continues to hold. Previously, he had occupied the same position in the orchestras of Jerusalem, Düsseldorf, and Rotterdam.

For 13 summers, beginning in 1983, Dennis was also Principal Trumpet of the Colorado Music Festival in Boulder until he finally realized that his summers could be put to better use such as doing nothing (not to be confused with "not doing anything") or aimlessly driving around the U.S.

As a specialist in baroque music, he plays natural trumpet with such major baroque ensembles as “Les Arts Florissants”, “La Chapelle Royale”, and the “Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra”.

His two solo CD’s (on Harmonia Mundi France) met with great success - the first on natural trumpet (Scarlatti and Melani); the second on cornet à pistons (works from La Belle Epoque with “Les Virtuoses Romantiques”). Soon (2005) to be released is the Ponchielli Trumpet Concerto with the Denver Municipal Band. He has also recorded Rose Variations (Bennett) with the same band which is the world premiere recording of this work with the original band accompaniment.

In addition to his playing career, Dennis is also active as an arranger mainly for trumpet ensembles, trumpet and string quartet, and brass quintet. Roger Kellaway’s “Morning Song” will soon be published by BIM in two separate versions for trumpet ensemble and brass quintet. Dennis has also authored an excerpt book on the use of high-pitched trumpets in the orchestra called “Piccolo Trumpets” published by Virgo Press England.

Dennis lives in a suburb of Geneva with his wife, 2 children, and their dog.