Gary Irland, trumpet

Gary was born in Olympia, Washington, and has spent all of his life in the Pacific Northwest. The son of a music teacher, his music education began with the piano at the age of 4. He took trumpet lessons from a jazz trumpeter named Phil Hill in Spokane Washington at the age of 8. He remained involved in music through elementary and high school, playing first chair trumpet in high school and college bands. He graduated from Walla Walla College with a degree in music education, and a double music major in both trumpet and voice. Gary taught music for a few years before his employment as head electrician for the Portland Fire Bureau. He currently works as an Electrical Inspector for Washington County. He has conducted numerous choirs and bands, and has participated in a variety of musical organizations during his career. Having spent the majority of his life performing classical and sacred music, Gary now finds this present venue to be an enriching addition to his musical repertoire. He has been a member of the One More Time Around Again Marching Band for several years, and recently soloed with the band during the 2006 Rose Festival. He continues to be active with a brass quintet and the Portland Brass Society. He lives in Hillsboro with his high school sweetheart, Nancy. They have been married for 34 years and have 2 grown children living in the area.