Music and Musicians

Musician Biography

Michael Carver

Michael Carver has been the CSO's bass trombonist since 1995. Before his appointment to that position, he performed as a substitute with the orchestra many times on both tenor and bass trombone. He holds a graduate degree in Music from Georgia State University where he was a student of Richard Brady. His undergraduate years were spent here in Chattanooga at the University of Tenn. Chattanooga, finishing with a double major in Music Education and Performance. While at UTC, he studied with Jim Bermann, Dale Hair, and the former bass trombonist of the Symphony, Keith Sanders. He has also studied or performed with, Blair Bolinger of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Tom Ervin of Arizona State University, Doug Yeo of the Boston Symphony, and Larry Borden of the Nashville Symphony.

Michael is active as a freelance musician as well, having performed throughout the southeast including the Huntsville Symphony. He has studied trombone hand slide repair with the Slide Dr., John Upchurch, and developed a bass trombone mouthpiece in conjunction with Loud Mouthpieces.

As an educator, Michael developed the middle school band program at McMinn County, where he was the first band director for five middles schools, as well as assistant at the high school. Michael has been on the faculty of Lee University, Southern Adventist University and University of Tenn. Chattanooga. His private students have performed well at district and all-state bands.

Michael is the father of two active children; Lance and Sarah Margaret. For six years, he owned and operated, Bob's Cycle Shop. Michael, his wife of fourteen years, Donna, the children, Skipper-the dog, and both cats reside in Rome,Ga.

Meet the CSO musicians

CSO Member since: 1996

Most memorable experience our favorite CSO moment:
Winning the Bass Trombone chair-That summer, I was playing “Ain’t Misbehavin” on Jazz Tenor, won the job and the next day played 4th of July on principal Trombone.

Why did you choose your instrument?
Braces in middle school and an uncle with a trombone decided for me. Now, I can’t imagine playing something else.

Where did you go to school? Who did you study with?
I grew up in Rhea County just north of Chattanooga. There, I studied privately with Mel Wilhoit. Undergrad at UTC where I studied with Jim Beromam, Dale Han, and Keith Sanders. Graduate degree at Georgia State where I studied with Richard Prady.

Do you have a day job? What is it?
I’m an adjunct instructor at Dalton State College.

What are your hobbies?
Watching Top Gear, BBC Version
Raising 2 kids

Do you have a family? Pets?
Awesome wife-Donna, Children-Lance and Sarah Margaret, three cats and a dog, Skipper

Who is your favorite composer? Piece?
Hindemith
Favorite Piece-Mozart Requiem