The Chicago Symphony Orchestra family mourns the loss of Charles Geyer, who served as a member of the trumpet section from 1966 until 1978. He died in Houston, Texas, on June 11, 2024, following a long illness. He was seventy-nine.
Geyer was born in Joliet, Illinois, on November 25, 1944, and began studying trumpet at the age of six. He played in the esteemed band program in Joliet and on the radio in Peoria before attending Northwestern University, where he earned both bachelor and master’s degrees. Geyer’s teachers included Herbert Stoskopf and CSO trumpets Adolph “Bud” Herseth and Vincent Cichowicz.
He performed as a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Chicago Little Symphony, and as principal trumpet of the Lyric Opera Orchestra before joining the Chicago Symphony Orchestra—at the invitation of seventh music director Jean Martinon—in 1966. During his tenure with the Orchestra, he served as fourth and second trumpet, also performing as principal trumpet of the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and Music of the Baroque. In 1978, Geyer was appointed principal trumpet of the Houston Symphony, a position he held for three seasons.
A lifelong educator, Geyer served on the faculties of the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, Eastman School of Music, Northwestern University, and Rice University, and many of his students became prominent performers and teachers. For many years, he and his wife Barbara were members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Alumni Association.
Geyer was the recipient of the International Trumpet Guild’s Honorary Award in 2024, and a remembrance has been posted here.
Charles Geyer is survived by his beloved wife Barbara Butler and daughter Jorie Butler-Geyer (Justin Kohan). Details for services are pending.
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