Richard Harvey Erb

Richard Harvey Erb passed away peacefully on April 25th at the age of 86. Born in Pittsburgh to parents Rev. Harvey Monroe Erb and Florence May Sample Erb, he spent much of his early life in Pennsylvania.

Dick studied music at the Carnegie Institute of Technology, taking Trombone lessons from Pittsburgh Symphony Bass Trombonist Byron McCulloh. While living in Pittsburgh, he married his high school sweetheart LaVaughan. After graduating, he auditioned for and won a position with the San Antonio Symphony, where he performed for 2 seasons. When an opening became available in the New Orleans Symphony, he tried out, and won that too. By the time of his retirement in 2008, Dick had played Bass Trombone in New Orleans for 43 seasons, under 5 different music directors. He met English Hornist and Oboist Helen Kerr Taylor on the first day at his new job in New Orleans. It was her first day as well. She would become his second wife, and precede him in death by just 3 months. They were married for 50 years.

Richard was a renowned brass teacher, sought out by players around the world. He always credited Chicago Symphony Tubist Arnold Jacobs for both the existence of his own career, and his own ability to help students improve and achieve their goals. Beginning in 1967, he studied with Mr. Jacobs intermittently for over 25 years. His last lesson with Jacobs was in 1997.

From 1968 to 2005, Dick was the low brass instructor for the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, a summer job offering a welcome escape from the heat. Upon his retirement, his position was permanently named the Richard Erb Chair for Low Brass Studies. As a result of his tenure there, nearly every major Canadian orchestra includes some of his students. Locally, Mr. Erb taught at Loyola University from 1969 to 2007, mentoring many fine players in the classical and jazz realms.

Richard and Helen welcomed many newer members of the New Orleans Symphony, and later Louisiana Philharmonic, to their uptown home for beautiful dinners over the years. Their open and generous spirit led to lifelong friendships. As a life member of the American Federation of Musicians, Richard served his musician colleagues as a member of countless negotiating committees, and was a delegate to conferences of orchestral musicians around the country.

Dick is survived by his son, Peter, also a musician, and grandchildren Elida and Dylan. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Audubon Nature Institute, www.audubonnatureinstitute.org.