[Trombone-l] Retirement of trombone section

[Randy Fendrick]

Last night was the end of era of sorts.  The longtime trombone section 
of the Bakersfield Symphony retired.  Gary Maxwell, bass trombonist,  
joined the orchestra in 1968 first on tuba, and moving to bass trombone 
in 1969.  He suffered a stroke in 2000 or 2001 and has not been able to 
play since, but was still a member of the orchestra,  he decided to 
retire so it could move on.  Doug Autrey, the principal,  joined the 
orchestra in 1970, but had played tuba in the orchestra, when it was 
known as the Kern Philharmonic, while still in high school.  He has 
moved from Bakersfield and is now living in L.A.  He played a total of 
39 years.  I joined the orchestra in 1970 and have decided to retire, 
so we can travel and not be tied to a rehearsal schedule.  All told, 
the section had played together for well over thirty years, in all 
kinds of formats.  We were a trombone section in the symphony, the 
trombone section in a local big band,  the trombone section when 
traveling groups, like Ice Capades, or the circus came to town.  We 
played in brass choirs, were the ringers in college, church,  and 
amateur productions,  were the section in the park band, and light 
opera productions.  The three of us were honored last night at the 
final subscription concert of the season, with each being presented 
plaques by the orchestra.  The three of us were or are members of ITA.  
While Doug and I will continue to play, all three of us realized that 
it was a hell of a lot of fun, and we are keeping in mind that the only 
thing constant in life is change.
later,
rf
Randy Fendrick
Southside Chicago Seven
Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra