Bud will be remembered in 100 years as the leader of perhaps the finest brass section in the history of the symphony orchestra.

To hold down the principal trumpet position of ANY professional symphony orchestra for 50 years is absolutely staggering. To do so with one of the finest orchestras in the world is off the scale. If you hadn't heard him tell the story himself you'd find it hard to believe anyone could audition for a principal trumpet position and not actually be aware of it.

He defined the sound of the brass section, no question.  Listen to the album "The Antiphonal Music of Gabrieli", with Chicago, Philly and Cleveland musicians and you hear Herseth's absolute brilliance

He made so many young trumpet players dream...

What an amazing man.  Truly a great in every sense of the word.

After grad school, I was playing euphonium in John Paynter's North Shore band in Wilmette when one of the trombone players asked if I would be interested in playing in a brass ensemble on Easter Sunday at a church in the western suburbs.  I said I'd be happy to, and he said that it should be "ok," even though it was not a regular ensemble.  When I arrived, imagine my surprise when Bud Herseth, the perennial principal trumpet in the CSO, sat down in the group!  For this  economics major from Michigan, it was your basic once in a lifetime event.  I don't think I have ever sat  up that straight in the almost 50 years since!  Oh, and the gig was indeed "ok"...

I met this man at Luther College in the summer of 2005, his warmth and his ability as a trumpeter gave me the desire to follow in his footsteps. I went to his alma mater, Luther College as a trumpet music performance major and although I changed my major and my professional path I will always be thankful for him, his music, and the impact he had on my life. Rest in piece

Mr. Trumpet !! The Legend lives on !!

Bud was a very nice guy. I met him several times at Schilke's on Wabash in Chicago.

I remember in 1975, in Paris,  not having a ticket to hear the Chicago Symphony, Solti, play The Rite of Spring at the Paris Opera House. It was sold out. I was at the back of the opera house trying to figure out how I was going to hear this concert  and one of the Chicago trumpet players, (an extra) with a Midwestern draw,  said come on, I’ll find you a seat. He took me in the stage entrance as part of the orchestra found me a chair and set it up on stage just behind the curtain at the edge of the trumpet section. That was one of the most amazing orchestral experiences I’ve ever had. Sitting almost in the Chicago trumpet section with Bud Herseth and the Chicago symphony orchestra. It sounded like a rock band back there. The dynamics and precision precision were unbelievable. Made a huge impression on me and I almost forgot about this incident until this video came up on my YouTube feed. Anyway, it was an amazing concert with an amazing brass section. As for me, I did end up having a career as principal clarinet in a mid tier orchestra, but until I saw this video, I had forgotten all about this, and I can still hear Bud’s solo and duet playing in the quiet, muted trumpet moment in Part II (The Sacrifice) 51 years later. It’s as clear as day.

There are a lot of stories about Bud and his “band.” Bud is one of handful of players that is always in any knowledgeable trumpet players list of best players. His sound has and will influence players for as long as we continue to blow on the brass tube.

That fabulous soaring vib, always perfectly judged on a line, is a sound you just don't forget as a brass player. I'm sure every brass player reading this and knowing Bud's artistry can hear it as they read this.

7:04 - 7:15 - Classic!

Bud Herseth was such a wonderful trumpet player and gentleman! I would say Bud has influenced more orchestral trumpet players than any other musician in the world! His sound shaped the CSO brass section. Bud had such an ability to soar out over the orchestra, unlike any other. He was also such a wonderful human being and kind man. He is certainly missed but that great trumpet sound will live on.

The Greatest! Thank you Mr, Herseth. 👍🏾🎺❤️

I am fortunate to have heard the master.  I heard The Band in Atlanta at The Fabulous Fox Theatre.  Solti was conducting.  The Atlanta Symphony brass section (with my teacher Larry Black) was sitting in the section to my right.  The first half was Beethoven 1 and the second half was Mahler.  The Mahler was a blow, but i was most blown away by Buds ability to make such incredible music with the eighth notes in the Beethoven.  Every eighth note was perfect and musical.  Perfect attack, perfect tone and vibrato and a perfect release.  And every eighth note he played was that perfect!  As a side bar, my Teacher Larry Black would go on to teach Christopher Martin, who would go on to play in Buds chair in Chicago before he moved to the New York Phil.

I love how when Bud is playing with Doc he is using a C trumpet, but it doesn't sound like it at all.  Just a big, fat sound like a B flat.

He is so loved what an honor and amazingly fulfilling Buds life was

Legend! !Best sound ever!!

Legend