Genre

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Chamber

 

Barbara Hustis was a renowned classical music artist who made significant contributions to the world of music as a trombonist, conductor, and educator. Born on August 22, 1927, in San Francisco, California, Hustis grew up in a family of musicians. Her father was a violinist, and her mother was a pianist. Hustis started playing the piano at the age of four and later switched to the trombone when she was in high school. Hustis attended San Francisco State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education. She then went on to study at the Juilliard School in New York City, where she received a Master of Music degree in trombone performance. During her time at Juilliard, Hustis studied with some of the most prominent trombonists of the time, including Emory Remington and Edward Kleinhammer. After completing her studies, Hustis began her professional career as a trombonist with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in 1952. She played with the orchestra for six years before joining the New York Philharmonic in 1958. Hustis was the first female trombonist to be hired by a major symphony orchestra in the United States. She played with the New York Philharmonic for 21 years, during which time she became one of the most respected and admired trombonists in the world. Hustis was known for her exceptional musicianship and technical skill on the trombone. She was also a trailblazer for women in classical music, breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of female musicians. Hustis was a mentor to many young musicians, both male and female, and was known for her generosity and kindness. In addition to her work as a trombonist, Hustis was also an accomplished conductor. She founded the New York Chamber Symphony in 1977 and served as its music director for 12 years. The orchestra was known for its innovative programming and featured many of the world's leading soloists. Hustis was also a guest conductor with many other orchestras, including the San Francisco Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Hustis received many awards and honors throughout her career. In 1981, she was awarded the Ditson Conductor's Award, which is given annually to a conductor who has made a significant contribution to American music. She was also awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1993, which is the highest honor given to artists and arts patrons by the United States government. One of the highlights of Hustis's career was her performance of the world premiere of Luciano Berio's "Sequenza V" for solo trombone at the 1966 Venice Biennale. The piece was written specifically for Hustis, and her performance was widely acclaimed. Hustis also premiered many other works for trombone, including pieces by Gunther Schuller, William Schuman, and Elliott Carter. Hustis retired from the New York Philharmonic in 1979 but continued to perform and teach. She was a faculty member at the Juilliard School for many years and also taught at the Manhattan School of Music and the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Hustis was a beloved teacher, and many of her students went on to have successful careers in music. Barbara Hustis passed away on July 25, 2017, at the age of 89. She left behind a legacy as one of the most important and influential trombonists of the 20th century. Her contributions to the world of music, both as a performer and as a teacher, will be remembered for generations to come.

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