Kenneth Hafner

Trumpet

Ken Hafner began the study of trumpet at the young age of seven. His studies include undergraduate work at the State University of New York at Buffalo, graduate studies with William Adam and Louis Davidson at Indiana University and a Master's degree from Northwestern University with Vincent Cichowicz. Mr. Hafner has performed as a member of the trumpet section of the Honolulu Symphony for more than 20 years, including appearances under Seiji Ozawa, Andre Previn and Robert Shaw. He has been a member of the Honolulu Brass quintet for the past 15 years and has performed extensively throughout the state of Hawaii both with the quintet and as a soloist. Mr. Hafner's performance experience also includes work with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under Michael Tilson Thomas, as principal trumpet of the Artpark Summer Orchestra outside of Niagara Falls, New York and with the Maui Symphony. Mr. Hafner lives on the slopes of Punchbowl on Oahu with his wife, violinist Katharine Hafner, and 2 sons. He maintains a full studio of students in addition to his busy performing schedule.

Mark Schubert

Trumpet

Mark Schubert graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1973 with honors.  A student of Armando Ghitalla, he has also had additional studies with Roger Voisin and Arnold Jacobs.  He attended the Brevard Music Center (1969-70) where he was a concerto competition winner and was a Tanglewood Fellow the summers of 1974-75.

While in Boston Mark was a substitute/extra with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops, and was a member of the orchestras of the Opera Company of Boston and Boston Ballet, as well as regional orchestras such as Springfield, Massachusetts and Portland, Maine.

In 1976, Mark became the associate principal trumpet of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra and helped found the Honolulu Brass that same year.  He has served as Lecturer in Trumpet at the University of Hawaii (1992-present), and is on the faculty of the Brevard Music Center (Brevard, NC) since 1993.  Mark is also a long-time member of the board of directors of Chamber Music Hawaii.  Other professional work experiences were as principal trumpet with the Filarmonica de las Americas (Mexico City-summers 1976-83), and the Atlantic Wind Ensemble in Boston (1974-76).  Mr. Schubert has been a soloist on several occasions with the Honolulu Symphony, Chamber Music Hawaii, the University of Hawaii, the Hawaii Youth Symphony, the Brevard Music Center and on radio and television broadcasts in Boston, Mexico City, Japan and Honolulu.  Mr. Schubert is a Yamaha Performing Artist.

Wade Butin

Horn

Wade Butin was born and raised in Texas and fell in love with the horn at an early age from listening to the soundtrack of Star Wars. At Rice University, he decided to make his first love a career and worked to receive a Bachelors and Masters of Music Performance under the direction of William VerMeulen, Principal Horn of the Houston Symphony. While at Rice, Wade had the opportunity of playing with the Houston Symphony on many occasions and traveling with them on a European Tour. He joined the Honolulu Symphony in 1997 and eventually won the position of 4th Horn in the orchestra. Two years later, Wade became the newest member of the Honolulu Brass Quintet and enjoys playing concerts around the Hawaiian Islands. Wade is also interested in music education and teaches many Junior High and High School students by giving private lessons and master classes.

Eric Mathis

Trombone

Eric Mathis is Associate Principal Trombone of the Honolulu Symphony, a position he has held since 1996. Originally from Prince Edward Island (Canada), his music career began in the Maritime Provinces performing with Symphony Nova Scotia, the Charlottetown Festival Orchestra, the Northumberland Brass and the PEI Trombone Mafia. Eric is also active as an educator and is on faculty at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Prior to his appointment in Honolulu, Eric was a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and the Millar Brass Ensemble. As a freelance musician he has recorded jingles for radio and television and performed with numerous ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Orchestra, Symphony Nova Scotia and Klang. Eric has performed under the direction of such noted conductors as Sir Georg Solti, Daniel Barenboim, Riccardo Chailly, Christoph Eschenbach and Pierre Boulez. He has always been active as a soloist and has given recitals in Canada and the United States. Eric has performed the concertos of Albrechtsberger, Grondahl and Tomasi, and in 1992 won the second prize at Canada's CIBC National Music Festival.

Eric received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Prince Edward Island and his Master of Music degree from Northwestern University. His primary private study was with Jay Friedman, Greg Irvine and Frank Crisafulli. His influences also include Arnold Jacobs, Michael Mulcahy, Peter Sullivan, Murray Crewe and Greg Burton.

In December 2006, after an 18-month leave of absence from the Honolulu Symphony, Eric received a Diploma in Massage Therapy (with Honors) from the Atlantic College of Therapeutic Massage in New Brunswick, Canada. Eric's main areas of clinical interest include athletic therapy, headaches, chronic pain and care for patients with cancer. He is also gaining a reputation as a specialist in the treatment of overuse injuries among musicians.

TBA

Tuba