Doc Severinsen - Werle Concerto No 3

This is one of four concertos that Floyd Werle wrote for Doc Severinsen. The performance here, from June 4, 1976, was under the baton of Doc's long-time friend Charles Forque. Doc and Charles commissioned many pieces for trumpet and band, and they would typically have a concert in Texas once a year where they could premier newly-written solos. The band playing with Doc is the Robert E. Lee High School Band of Baytown, Texas.

Doc is enjoying a very long and brilliant career. He started at an early age to play professionally, including with big bands led by luminaries such as Charlie Barnett. He was a first-call studio player in New York City and was lead trumpet on a great many albums. Doc made his first solo album in the very early 1960's (Tempestuous Trumpet) and continued making such albums until farily recently. He was lead trumpet with the Tonight Show Band while the band was led by Skitch Henderson, and upon Herderson's retirement Doc became the leader of that outstanding big band.

Floyd E. Werle (1929-2010)

Floyd Werle retired after 32 years as Chief of Composition and Arranging of the United States Air Force Band, Symphony Orchestra and Singing Sergeants. He has been hailed as one of the nation's foremost composers. His works for symphonic band and symphonic orchestra have been acclaimed throughout America, especially the three Concerti for Trumpet written for Doc Severnson and performed by most of the major orchestras in the United States.

Charles E. Forque (1926-2005)

Charles E. Forque was born in Cedar Bayou, Texas, on June 26, 1930. Charles spent twenty-one years as Director of Bands at his former high school, Robert E. Lee in Baytown, Texas. During that time, he was also Supervisor of Instrumental Music for Baytown schools. After twelve years as Director of Bands at Plano Senior High School, a heart attack forced Charles' retirement. Over the years Charles' bands received thirty-four Sweepstakes awards in thirty-six years of Texas UIL competition. Other honors include nineteen Superior ratings at music festivals around the country, four Best in Class awards, and the Classic Championship award at the Dixie Classic Music Festival in San Antonio, Texas in 1990. The Plano band won the Grand Champion trophy at Sam Houston State's Music Bowl Marching contest in 1987, 1988, and 1989.

In 1966, Charles met 'Doc' Severinsen at the Texas Bandmasters Association's annual convention. As their friendship grew through the years, 'Doc' performed forty-three concerts with Charles' bands. Allen Vizzutti, who performed concerts with Charles in 1987 and 1988, wrote four major works for 'Doc' and the Baytown and Plano bands. Altogether, 43 commissions were written for 'Doc' Severinsen as featured soloist with Charles' bands. Some of the composers included John Barnes Chance, Michael Davis, Vaclav Nehlybel, Claude T. Smith, Fisher Tull, Jeff Tyzik, and Floyd Werle.