Tom Hyde picked up the trumpet in 1954 and hasn’t put it down since, (except for a few years in the late 60’s when he thought, mistakenly, that playing guitar might make him more attractive to college girls.) He began freelancing in Sonoma County, CA in 1978 with the JH 40’s Swing Band, and has played in numerous shows, accompanied choirs, and played weddings throughout the county.
Tom is a founding member of the 5th Avenue Brass Quintet, the 24 Karat Brass Ensemble, and BrassFire! He has been a member of the Sonoma County Philharmonic Orchestra since its inception in 1999 and is currently its principal trumpet. He has performed with the San Jose Symphony, the Santa Rosa Symphony, and has been guest soloist with the Baroque Sinfonia and the Healdsburg Community Band. He has carried his old cornet around the world, strapped to his backpack and up to 15,000 feet to play in the Himalayas. He has performed on the streets of Kathmandu, Nepal; Copenhagen, Denmark; Luang Prabang, Laos; Santorini, Greece; and Taitung, Taiwan. Tom has worked as a scientist, community organizer, solar heating installer, carpenter, plumber, and high school teacher. His love of music and the jubilation of trumpet sound are the threads that run through his entire life. |