CSYO: Hello Adrian! We wish we could with you in person! We are sure you remember January in Cincinnati... Thanks for talking with us today. As usual, we would like to begin by hearing a favorite memory you have from your days in the CSYO.

AG: Good question! That's a hard one to answer. I was a member of the CSYO from 1989-1993, so there are many to choose from. However, if I must pick just one, I would say working and learning with Maestro Keith Lockhart. As a young musician then and now as a tenured professional, his genius was, and still is, awe inspiring and difficult to comprehend. I remember sitting in rehearsal for Symphony No. 9 of Dvorak, and him reminding us, "trumpets fourth page, bottom line, trumpet in E-flat." "What...wait a minute, how is this even possible," I remember asking myself; how is he conducting this symphony from memory and much less, know what page and line the transposition shifts from trumpet in E to E-flat? To this day, I don't know how he knew that!

CSYO: Wow! That certainly would have created an unforgettable moment in rehearsal! You say you are a tenured professional. What are you doing now?

AG: Currently, I am the principal trumpet of the Monterrey Symphony Orchestra as well as our Metropolitan Monterrey Opera and Ballet orchestras. In addition, I am an active performing Artist and Clinician for Yamaha trumpets, a division of the Yamaha Music Corporation. I was fortunate enough to be appointed fourth/utility trumpet (2003-2008) with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra out of college before beginning my career here in Mexico as principal trumpet.

CSYO: Can you share some highlights of your life and career?

AG: Personally, my marriage to me wife Michelle and the birth of my son Asher rank among my most cherished personal moments.

My music and trumpet have allowed me some fantastic experiences in life. I have played for the Queen of England, Presidents and have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with some of this and past generation's most talented musicians. Honestly, too many to name. However, if I must pick one, it would be my relationship of learning from one of my heroes, Wynton Marsalis. I have performed domestically and traveled internationally, but one thing remains a constant,the beautiful and loving language of music that links us all.

CSYO: That was beautifully said! So, did the CSYO have an impact on your career choice?

AG: My time with the CSYO gave me the opportunity to know personally the trumpet section of the CSO and in particular my former teachers and mentors Steven Pride (current second trumpet) and Marie Speziale (retired associate principal trumpet 1964-1996). These two individuals inspired me to reach for what I though was not attainable, a full-time job as an orchestra musician. They taught me, as well as, pushed me passed my limits, and showed me it was possible to reach for my dreams on a daily basis. Weekly in my private classes with them, they inspired me with their gorgeous playing and interpretations of the orchestra’s most brilliant literature. Without my association and membership with the CSYO, I may have never come into contact with Steve and Marie and my future could have looked very different. Thank you CSYO and Steve and Marie.

**As a side note, I was in the CSYO trumpet section with Chris Kiradjieff in my first year in 1989. Chris is now a member of the CSO trumpet section. Chris was my first friend to show me that with enough hard work and determination dreams could come true. In many ways, Chris was a huge inspiration as well. Hugs to you Chris!

CSYO: I hope Chris is reading this today - that must have been quite a trumpet section that season. We have just a couple more questions. Can you tell us how music fuels your creativity?

AG: Music for me is my voice for creativity. Each week in the orchestra I am hoping to deliver our audiences new and creative feelings ranging from: despair, hope, sadness, joy, playfulness, anger, enlightenment…etc. Without music I truly feel my inner voice would have been stifled. Music has given me the power to express externally what my spoken or written words simply cannot.

CSYO: So true - music can express what words cannot. Thanks for speaking with us today. We would like to wrap up with one final question. Is there a single piece of music that you can call a favorite?

AG: Mahler Symphony No. 5, Fourth Movement!