Warren Benfield
Encyclopedia
Warren A. Benfield was a Classical Double Bass player. He enjoyed a long career in the bass section of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
and was professor at Northwestern University
.
at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia.
Benfield joined the bass section of the Minneapolis Symphony
, its youngest member, in 1934. He also played as principal bass in the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
before joining the Philadelphia Orchestra
in 1942. He played for a short while as co-principal, sharing the position with fellow Torello pupil Roger Scott
, before being appointed principal bass of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
by Raphael Kubelik in 1949. Kubelik's presence in Chicago was not a long one, and Benfield was eventually fired, forcing him to audition for the orchestra. He continued to play in the Chicago Symphony until his retirement in 1987.
in Evanston, IL. He built a reputation there as one of the leading double bass teachers of his time. Some prominent bassists who studied with Warren include Harold Robinson
, and Jeff Bradetich
. He also taught at DePaul University
in Chicago.
Warren Benfield wrote, with the help of James Seay Dean jr., The Art of Double Bass Playing- a text which outlines many important qualities required of the double bassist in ensemble and solo playing as well as showing, if not expertise, appreciation for players in Jazz and contemporary classical fields. While not a bass method, The Art of the Double Bass includes numerous passages from orchestral and solo repertoire; it refers to these passages as they relate to the topics discussed.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1891, the Symphony makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival...
and was professor at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
.
Studies and Orchestral Career
Warren Benfield was a student of Anton TorelloAnton Torello
Anton Torello was a CatalanDouble Bass player. He was principal bass of the Philadelphia Orchestra , and was the first bass professor at Philadelphia's Curtis Institute...
at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia.
Benfield joined the bass section of the Minneapolis Symphony
Minnesota Orchestra
The Minnesota Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.Emil Oberhoffer founded the orchestra as the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra in 1903, and it gave its first performance on November 5 of that year. In 1968 the orchestra changed to its name to the Minnesota Orchestra...
, its youngest member, in 1934. He also played as principal bass in the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra is an American symphony orchestra based in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1880 by Joseph Otten as the St. Louis Choral Society, the SLSO is the second-oldest symphony orchestra in the United States as it is preceded by the New York Philharmonic.-History:The St...
before joining the Philadelphia Orchestra
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
in 1942. He played for a short while as co-principal, sharing the position with fellow Torello pupil Roger Scott
Roger Scott
Roger Scott was a British radio disc jockey. He was best known for presenting an afternoon radio show on London's Capital Radio from 1973 until 1988....
, before being appointed principal bass of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1891, the Symphony makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival...
by Raphael Kubelik in 1949. Kubelik's presence in Chicago was not a long one, and Benfield was eventually fired, forcing him to audition for the orchestra. He continued to play in the Chicago Symphony until his retirement in 1987.
Teaching
Warren Benfield taught for many years at Northwestern UniversityNorthwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
in Evanston, IL. He built a reputation there as one of the leading double bass teachers of his time. Some prominent bassists who studied with Warren include Harold Robinson
Hal Robinson
Harold Hall Robinson is an American classical double bass player. He is currently the principal bassist of the Philadelphia Orchestra.-Early life and education:...
, and Jeff Bradetich
Jeff Bradetich
Jeffrey David Bradetich is an American professor and performer of double bass. He currently teaches at the University of North Texas College of Music. Bradetich made his New York debut at the Carnegie Recital Hall on January 22, 1982...
. He also taught at DePaul University
DePaul University
DePaul University is a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul...
in Chicago.
Warren Benfield wrote, with the help of James Seay Dean jr., The Art of Double Bass Playing- a text which outlines many important qualities required of the double bassist in ensemble and solo playing as well as showing, if not expertise, appreciation for players in Jazz and contemporary classical fields. While not a bass method, The Art of the Double Bass includes numerous passages from orchestral and solo repertoire; it refers to these passages as they relate to the topics discussed.
See also
- Anton TorelloAnton TorelloAnton Torello was a CatalanDouble Bass player. He was principal bass of the Philadelphia Orchestra , and was the first bass professor at Philadelphia's Curtis Institute...
- Oscar G. ZimmermanOscar G. ZimmermanOscar G. Zimmerman was an American musician, teacher and double-bass player.-Biography:Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1910, Oscar Zimmerman was the double bassist with the Rochester Philharmonic for 36 years and professor emeritus at Eastman, was a member of the first graduating class of...
- Jeff BradetichJeff BradetichJeffrey David Bradetich is an American professor and performer of double bass. He currently teaches at the University of North Texas College of Music. Bradetich made his New York debut at the Carnegie Recital Hall on January 22, 1982...
- Harold RobinsonHal RobinsonHarold Hall Robinson is an American classical double bass player. He is currently the principal bassist of the Philadelphia Orchestra.-Early life and education:...