Rick Trostel
From an early age, the outdoors and the arts have vied for Rick’s attention. Teaching has allowed him to pass on his twin passions and given him a way to keep both professional mistresses.
He teaches skiing at the three largest ski areas on Mt. Hood and teaches music at Lewis and Clark Montessori Charter School in the Gresham-Barlow School District. He has guided canoeing, kayaking, climbing, and skiing trips in the mountains and waters of Ecuador to Alaska and the Caribbean to Canada, always accompanied by his trumpet. He is a conductor, composer, and trumpeter, currently performing with the Juneau (AK) Symphony, Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, and the Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra. This is his eleventh solo recital.
Rick is grateful for his wife, Chris, for her talent and intelligence and for her tolerance of both his daily noise and his winter absences to places more snowy and steep. He also owes gratitude to his accompanist, Jerry, who has embraced this music with joy, skill, and hard work. Finally, he is thankful for the opportunity to play for Zion Lutheran Church, the Pioneer Pantry, Lewis and Clark Montessori Charter School, and the Mazamas Lodge.
Gerald Skeels
Gerald Skeels was born in Oregon City and received his earliest musical training in the public schools. After earning a Bachelor of Music degree at Lewis and Clark College, he served as music director and organist for churches in Oregon, Ohio and California. Returning to his home town in 2004, he has performed with the Willamette Falls Symphony, most notably in Saint-Saens’ Symphony No. 3 and Rheinberger’s Concerto No. 1 for Organ and Orchestra. Jerry is currently Director of Music at Zion Lutheran Church in Oregon City.