This photo is from the Orange County Register article entitled "Upcoming events at Cal State Fullerton", date unknown. I could only copy the photo. I altered it so we'd get a better look at Chris. These are elite local musicians chosen to study with Dr. Remsen, apparently between 1957 and 1971. SEE Below.

REMSEN , Dr. Lester E. 1918-2007

A pioneer in the field of brass chamber music, when such music as we know it was in its infancy, Dr. Remsen founded and played first trumpet in the Los Angeles Brass Quintet (1955). The Los Angeles Brass Society which he founded and directed (1960) was similarly one of the first professional large brass ensembles including harp and percussion, made up of members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, motion picture studio orchestras, as well as teachers and talented students. The recordings made by the latter group sound impressive even when heard in the context of today's artistic standards. Many internationally respected composers wrote for these two ensembles: Lyn Murray, Roy Harris, Rayner Brown, Eugene Zador, William Schmidt and Ingolf Dahl. 

As professor of trumpet for 12 years at the University of Southern California, and in his private studio, he guided many talented students through their early training. Ronald Romm of the Canadian Brass and Thomas Stevens of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, along with many others, received their introduction to brass chamber music while performing with the Quintet and the Brass Society. 

Dr. Remsen, described by a colleague as a musician's musician and a gentleman's gentleman, has been a homeowner in the Hollywood Hills since 1959 and served as President of the Hollywood Dell Civic Association. In 1999, the Hollywood Coordinating Council honored him with its Outstanding Citizen Award for his selfless generosity to the betterment of his community as a member of the Board of Directors of several civic groups and as the host of many neighborhood events in the large Japanese garden he created on the hillside behind his home. An 85th birthday tribute to him "A Career of Rigour and Honesty . . . . that set his musical mark on his times and his country" was printed in the Brass Bulletin published in Switzerland and distributed world-wide. 

Winner of the National Solo Contest at age 17, he was praised as a true artist by the judge, legendary cornet soloist/composer Herbert L. Clarke, and was offered a full scholarship to the Eastman School of Music, Rochester NY, where he received the Bachelor of Music degree in 1940. From 1941 to 1947, he was cornet soloist with the US Marine Band "The President's Own" in Washington DC, playing many times at the White House for Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman.

Later he was principal trumpet in the Buffalo Philharmonic, William Steinberg, conductor, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Alfred Wallenstein, conductor. He earned the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Southern California, and was Director of Music at Wilshire United Methodist Church in Los Angeles for 20 years. He was a Life Member of Local 47, American Federation of Musicians. 

Born in Akron, NY, on June 7, 1918, Dr. Remsen passed away on January 31 at age 88. He and his wife, Dorothy, recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary, a milestone he had eagerly anticipated. He is survived by his wife, son Eric, and will be remembered fondly by daughter-in-law, Lana, other family members, many friends, colleagues, and former students. 

Plans for a memorial tribute will be announced later.

Published by Los Angeles Times on Feb. 4, 2007.