My trombone teacher at Northwestern University, Frank Crisafulli, used to say, “Join the Orchestra, see the World!”

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Early Years

I did just that. After degrees from Northwestern University (BM) and University of Southern California (MM), I found myself in the Hong Kong Philharmonic as principal trombone. From there, Hamilton Philharmonic in Ontario, Canada, again as principal trombone for about 20 years.

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I.T. Years

During this period, I also retrained as a Computer Engineer in Networking. Motorola in Chicago found me, where I stayed for 2 years. Musically during this period, I was a founding member and solo trombone with the Chicago Brass Band.

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Broadway!

Broadway beckoned, so another relocation was in the cards to NYC, where I was a full-time member in the pit orchestras for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Mary Poppins, and A Christmas Story.

I also worked at Columbia University as a computer support specialist for students and faculty. Sleep is overrated!

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Full Circle

After a 10-year stint, back to the Chicago area playing brief runs of shows, and full time at Valspar and Sherwin Williams, again as a computer tech.

 

2021 was my year to retire from all of this excitement. What to do next?

 

And Now...

One learns much sitting in the back of an orchestra, and I arranged and wrote a lot of music for brass ensembles over the years.

So, here I am, creating my legacy and sharing important music from my life.

 

In addition to the expected brass music, I am delving into string and woodwind music as well. My Son Nick is an accomplished cellist, so there were many years of “Twinkle, Twinkle” for me to experience in his youth. I also studied the viola for a year. I was terrible!

 

Marcos Music refers to my Greek heritage. I have fond memories of my Yia Yiá (grandmother) singing Greek tunes in the house.

I was never afraid of odd meters after that!

 

My goal is to create ensemble arrangements that entertain an audience with a variety of styles and are interesting to performers of advanced to professional ability.

 

You will find an eclectic collection of musical styles, but all have a story and meaning for me to share. I will endeavor to provide a backstory for each. The samples have "Tops and Tails" - beginnings and ends of each piece, with the exception of multi-movement pieces, which have a taste of the start of each movement.