Manny Laureano

Principal Trumpet Manny Laureano, who joined the Minnesota Orchestra in 1981 after four years as principal with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, has performed solos in all the Orchestra’s concert series and served as an assistant conductor during the 2005-06 season. In 1983 he performed the American premiere of the Wildgans Concerto for Trumpet with Leonard Slatkin conducting. In 2003 he premiered Stephen Paulus’ Concerto for Two Trumpets and Orchestra, which was written for him and Doc Severinsen, who was then the Orchestra’s principal pops conductor. His other solos with the Orchestra have included trumpet concertos by Hummel and Haydn, Copland’s Quiet City, Clarke’s Southern Cross, Vizzutti’s Compadre, Hertel’s Concerto a cinque in D major, Bach’s Second Brandenburg Concerto, and concertos by Arutunian and Tomasi. Most recently, he was featured as the co-soloist in the Concerto for Piano and Trumpet No. 1 by Shostakovich. He has commissioned and performed several new pieces for trumpet and orchestra including works by Michael Gilbertson and Reinaldo Moya.

With bands and orchestras throughout the five-state area, Laureano has been in great demand as a soloist, clinician and conductor. He has also led several series of Minnesota Orchestra Young People’s Concerts. Manny and his wife, Claudette, served as co-artistic director of the Minnesota Youth Symphonies for 32 years. He is also entering his tenth season as music director of the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra. Internationally, Laureano has served as faculty with the Cuban American Youth Orchestra organization and has given master classes and recitals in Puerto Rico. He holds a bachelor's degree from the Juilliard School of Music.