Our Director: Michael Howard

A professional trumpet player and music composer and arranger with over 50 years of experience, Michael Howard is a new "player" in the Raleigh area! He moved here from Florida but comes here by way of Nashville, New York, and a lot of other places in between where he has lived (when not on a tour bus) and performed! 

Michael has been a professional trumpeter, Band Leader, and Arranger since early in his life (age 14). His early start led to him being in the Ft. Lauderdale Symphony at 16, 1st Trumpet in the state of Florida (FMEA) at 17, 1st Trumpeter on scholarship at the University of Miami for several years (Bachelor/Music), then on to a full-time career as musician & educator. 

He has been a studio trumpeter in 3 locales: Nashville, Miami, and Orlando, played Broadway Musicals in NYC (A Chorus Line, etc.), and played Lead Trumpet with numerous Big Bands: Glenn Miller Orchestra, Larry Elgart B.B., Bo Thorpe Orchestra (which was based in Rocky Mount, NC), Billy Maxted’s Manhattan Jazz Band, and about 100 others. He also was the only official leader of the Charlie Spivak Orchestra after Charlie’s passing. 

Some of the TV shows, Recordings, and Acts with which he performed are: Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney, Robert Goulet, Sonny & Cher, Bobby Vinton, the Spinners, Seals & Crofts, Nelson Ned, Jerry Reed, Andy Williams, the Miss USA Pageant, the Dove Awards, etc.