Remembering a Good Friend: Lance LaDuke

Lance LaDuke, long-time friend of the Falcone Festival, passed away on December 10, 2023, after a tragic accident. Lance won the Euphonium Student gold medal in 1986 at the first-ever Festival and returned in 2015 as guest artist, premiering Crossroads by Brian Balmages, a piece commissioned to honor the Festival’s first thirty years. He also served as a Falcone Festival adjudicator and Honorary Board member for many years.

Born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, he was a graduate of Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor's degree in music education. Before completing his graduate studies at the University of Akron, Lance won a job playing euphonium in the United States Air Force Band in Washington DC, where he stayed from 1991 to 1995. He earned an MM degree in instrumental conducting at George Mason University while in the Air Force Band.

Maybe Lance is the best one to talk about his musical life. In his own words: 

I have been very fortunate in my career to play with some amazing groups (Boston Brass, Philadelphia Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, USAF Band in Washington DC, River City Brass, Brass Band of Battle Creek), with some amazing musicians (Henry Mancini, Doc Severinsen, Morgan Freeman, Imani Winds), in some amazing places (all 50 states and 30-plus countries), and have taught some amazing students (faculty positions at Carnegie Mellon University and Duquesne University and guest appearances at Juilliard, London Royal Academy of Music, Hong Kong Academy, Brazil’s Tatui Conservatory and many others), and am devoted to helping the next generation of musicians (and those who teach them) in any way I can. That’s a lot of parentheses. Sorry (not sorry). (source: lanceladuke.com) 

As an educator, Lance was most interested in helping players figure out their own unique path to a career with the euphonium, emphasizing creative and entrepreneurial thinking. In addition to his teaching at Carnegie Mellon University and his performing, he was involved in comedy improv, comedy song writing, podcasts, the Modern Musicking Center, was an XO Artist and advocate for Jupiter Band instruments, had a song headed to the moon as part of the Carnegie Mellon MoonArk project—and don’t forget his love of ukuleles!

He will be missed.