Stuart Laughton, trumpet (1970-1971, 2003-2005)

Stuart left Canadian Brass in 1971 after one year to pursue formal studies at the Curtis Institute of Music.  He had been chosen by Gene to be part of the startup Canadian Brass in the fall of 1970. “I joined Canadian Brass right out of high . . . . . so when Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute accepted my application I felt that I owed it to myself to attend.” Immediately following his tenure at Curtis, Stuart was appointed Principal Trumpet at La Scala Opera House in Italy, by Claudio Abbado. Stuart subsequently returned to Canada where he began a family and developed an impressive career. Along with his own performing skills, Stuart has made a significant contribution to the Canadian classical music scene by establishing Opening Day Recordings, a label that has given many fine Canadian classical artists an opportunity to be heard on an international stage. Stuart returned to play two and a half years with the group he left in 1971; he traveled the world with the Canadian Brass from 2003 through 2005.