Rising Trumpet Star Dies At 33
Update (8/18/18 at 11:12 AM EST): The University of Virginia will be holding a memorial service for Rachel on September 2, 2018. More details can be found at this link.
Rachel Serber Duncan, Principal Trumpet of the Charlottesville Symphony Orchestra, died on August 8, 2018, at the age of 33. A native of Minnesota, Rachel began playing trumpet at the age of 8, eventually leading her to attend the Curtis Institute of Music and Northwestern University. While in Chicago, Rachel was a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago from 2011-2013. Performing with many esteemed orchestras in her career, Rachel joined the faculty at the University of Virginia in 2016. An avid ambassador for the trumpet, Rachel was a founding member of the New Chicago Brass, an ensemble of some of the most elite young brass players in the Chicagoland area.
In addition to teaching at UVA, Rachel was also on faculty for the National Take A Stand Festival, an organization affiliated with the Los Angeles Philharmonic that gives performance opportunities to musicians from diverse backgrounds. This past February, Rachel performed the Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto with the Charlottesville Symphony Orchestra.
Though I did not know Rachel personally, I knew of her talents. Reading through different memories written about Rachel, her personality was full of life – very similar to her trumpet playing. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials are given to Mental Health Services at Minneapolis Jewish Family & Children’s Service. Click here to add a memory to the Rachel’s tribute wall.
Sending positive thoughts with prayers of peace and comfort to Rachel’s family during this time of loss.
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