Joseph Foley

My goal is for each student to find his or her own unique musical voice. Always individualized, my teaching focuses on sound fundamentals to ensure that the student is prepared to meet the challenges of today’s working musician.

Joseph Damian Foley is an instructor of trumpet at the Conservatory. He is a native of Concord, New Hampshire, and enjoys a varied career as a much sought-after performer and enthusiastic teacher. His performances have taken him to more than a dozen countries on four continents.

As an orchestral musician, Foley is principal trumpet of the Rhode Island Philharmonic, the Portland Symphony Orchestra, and the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra of Houston, Texas. He has performed and toured with such prestigious ensembles as the Boston Symphony, the Boston Pops, the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Ballet of London, and the New York Philharmonic.

He is a former founding member of the Atlantic Brass Quintet, which garnered grand prizes at six international chamber music competitions during his tenure. In addition, he has performed with the Boston Symphony Brass Quintet, Empire Brass, Burning River Brass, Metropolitan Opera Brass, ALEA III, and at the Santa Fe, Buzzard’s Bay, and Newport chamber music festivals.

An active soloist, Foley has performed with the Boston Pops Orchestra, the Boston Classical Orchestra, the Boston Landmarks Orchestra, the Rhode Island Philharmonic, the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, and at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall. Foley was a soloist in the world premiere of the Trumpet Concerto by Harold Shapero. His first CD, Nightsongs, has met with critical acclaim.

Foley attended Boston University as a Trustee Scholar (full academic scholarship), where he studied trumpet with Roger Voisin, Rolf Smedvig, and Peter Chapman and composition with Samuel Headrick. He received both his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees there and was twice given the award for Outstanding Brass Player. He also studied with James Pandolfi, Vince Penzerella, Julio Tancredi, and Arnold Jacobs.

A clinician for Conn-Selmer/Vincent Bach Corporation, he has given clinics and master classes around the world.

Professional Awards and Recognitions

• Premier Prix (International Brass Quintet Competition, France, 1992)
• Grand Prize (Summit Brass International Brass Quintet Competition, 1988)
• Grand Prize (Rafael Mendez Brass Quintet Competition, 1988)
• Grand Prize (Coleman Chamber Music Society Competition, 1987)
• Grand Prize (Carmel Chamber Music Society Competition, 1987)

Recent Engagements

• Nightsongs, album with Bonnie Anderson (Summit Records, 2014)
• Haydn's Trumpet Concerto in Eb (Juneau Symphony, 2014)—Soloist
• Martin's Concerto for Seven Instruments (Portland Symphony Orchestra, 2014)—Soloist
• Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 (River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, 2013)—Soloist
• World premiere, Trumpet Concerto by Harold Shapero (RIC Symphony Orchestra, 2010)—Soloist