November 2, 2015

The principal trumpet player for the Philly Pops, Matt Gallagher has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Boston Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony, Diana Krall, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, Barry Manilow and many others. The Performing Arts Department’s Music Program will host a master class with Gallagher on Monday, November 9 at 6:30pm in Main Auditorium (3141 Chestnut Street), which is open to all students and which the public is invited to sit in on. The master class is a precursor to when he’ll return to Drexel on December 5 as a featured soloist with the Drexel University Orchestra under the direction of Rosalind Erwin. During his November 9 visit he’ll demonstrate and instruct a select group of Drexel students as they play excerpts of pieces, in addition to sharing an anecdotal account of his vibrant career.

Currently the lead trumpet sub for the Philadelphia Orchestra, Gallagher has performed with artists such as Hugh Jackman, the Four Tops, Lou Rawls, Bernadette Peters, the O’Jays, the Stylistics, Teddy Pendergrass and Michael Buble. He is also a studio trumpet player at NFL Films and has recorded for Celine Dion, Jeniffer Lopez, R. Kelly, Jennifer Hudson and LL Cool J. At the University of the Arts he is chair of the Trumpet department, “Z” Big Band director and a faculty member in music education.

The Philly Pops is the largest standalone pops orchestra in the country and celebrates the distinct musical heritage of American popular music. For more information about the event, please contact performingarts@drexel.edu.