Eric Swisher

Education

• DMA, University of North Texas

• MM, Indiana University

• BME, University of Oklahoma

Expertise

• Trumpet

Biography

Before his appointment to Murray State University in 2003, Dr. Eric Swisher worked as freelance musician in Oklahoma, Indiana, California and Texas performing with: the Dallas Wind Symphony, the Dallas Opera Orchestra, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Irving Symphony, the Evansville Philharmonic, the Paducah Symphony (KY) and the Jackson Symphony (TN).

He holds a Bachelors degree in Music Education from the University of Oklahoma, a Masters degree in Trumpet Performance from Indiana University and a Doctorate in Trumpet Performance from the University of North Texas. His primary trumpet instructors were Dr. Jacob Larson, Louis Ranger, Edmund Cord and Keith Johnson.

As a soloist, he performed the Suite in D-Major by G.F. Handel with the Timberline Symphony Orchestra (CO), Haydn's Concerto for Trumpet in E-flat with the San Jose Wind Symphony and the Concerto for Trumpet in A-flat by Alexander Arutiunian at the International Trumpet Seminar (Truro, UK). Additionally, he as performed solo recitals and masterclasses throughout the United States.

He has many publications to his credit: a trumpet method, Basic Skills for Developing Trumpeters, several arrangements for trumpet ensemble and brass ensemble and many articles in the Bluegrass Music News, Tempo!, the National Association of Wind and Percussion Instructors Journal and the International Trumpet Guild Journal. 

His former students have continued their trumpet studies at some of this country's finest music programs: Indiana University, the University of North Texas, the Aspen Music Festival, the San Francisco Conservatory and Yale University. Others have entered the field of music education, working in highly successful programs. Under his direction the Murray State Trumpet Ensemble performed at the 2006 International Trumpet Guild Conference and placed 6th at the 2007 National Trumpet Competition.