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Eric Knorr is the Lecturer in Trumpet in the Department of Music at the University of Dayton. Professor Knorr teaches studio trumpet, directs the UD Trumpet Ensemble, performs with the Faculty Brass Quintet, teaches several classroom courses within the department and is the Auditions Coordinator for the department.

Mr. Knorr is the retired Principal Trumpet of the United States Air Force Band of Flight at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and served in the same role with the USAF Heartland of America Band at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. While stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB, he founded and led Prism Brass, a 17-member brass group from within the band that adeptly handled the large group’s mission during a unit deployment. Additionally, he led the Wright Brass Quintet for over 10 years to include the first ever USAF brass quintet deployment to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom that led him to perform in Qatar, Djibouti, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and Iraq.

As an orchestral musician, Mr. Knorr is a regular substitute within the trumpet section of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, currently in his third season as interim third trumpet. He is Principal Trumpet with the Bach Society of Dayton and a frequent substitute with the Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati Pops Orchestras. His other professional orchestral credits include the Cleveland Pops, Omaha Symphony, Akron Symphony, Cincinnati Ballet Orchestra, Lexington Philharmonic, Springfield Symphony, Lima Symphony, Butler Philharmonic, Ohio Light Opera Orchestra, Blue Ash Symphony, Bach Ensemble of St. Thomas in Cincinnati and Musica Sacra.

Equally at home in commercial, jazz and rock settings, he has performed with Dayton Jazz Orchestra, the Jazz Central Big Band, Trey Stone and the Ringers and lead trumpet for the annual Last Waltz concert. Mr. Knorr has shared the stage with many of the world’s finest performers such as Sheena Easton, John Pizzarelli, Melissa Manchester, Vince DiMartino, Bobby Shew, Tom "Bones" Malone, Joe Williams, Jimmy Heath, J.J. Johnson, John Von Ohlen, The Miracles, Natalie Cole, Pink Martini, Marvin Hamlisch, Mnozil Brass, Phyllis Diller, Rhythm in Shoes, Eddie Daniels, The Beach Boys, Crystal Gayle and Chip Davis of Mannheim Steamroller.

As an adept broadway musician, he has performed for the national Broadway touring productions of Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Motown, In The Heights, Chicago, Beautiful-The Carole King Musical, Something Rotten, Book of Mormon, Ain’t Too Proud to Beg-the Temptations Musical, MJ-the Musical, The King and I and My Fair Lady.

Mr. Knorr is the founder of Oakwood Brass, a versatile group that has been featured multiple times on the Bach Society of Dayton concert series, most recently in 2023. They have performed multiple times on the Celebration of Sound Series in Worthington, Ohio, the Sanctuary Series at High St. UMC in Springfield, Ohio, and the Troy-Hayner Center Concert Series in Troy, Ohio. Mr. Knorr performed with the Wright State Faculty Brass Quintet for over 10 years and can be heard on his colleague Dr. Daniel Zehringer’s compact disc “Journeyman’s Songs-The Music of Steven Winteregg." He has also performed in the Carillon Brass and DPO Trio; two ensembles that perform educational outreach for the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance.

As a soloist and collaborative chamber musician, he has teamed up with Kathryn Maresca, organist at historic St. Mary’s Church in Dayton. They will soon be releasing two compact disc recordings, one will consist of new and lesser-known works for trumpet and organ and another one that will be entitled “Christmas at St. Mary’s,” containing works the duo have often performed at Christmas masses over the years.

Mr. Knorr has presented master classes at the University of Dayton, Wright State University, Bowling Green University and the University of Miami (Ohio). Professor Knorr previously held positions at Wright State University, Central State University, Wilberforce University and Sinclair Community College. He continues to maintain an active studio of private students. Many of his private students have continued on to a variety of colleges and universities to further their trumpet studies.

In addition to his teaching and performance duties, he is the Orchestra Librarian for the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, which comprises the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Dayton Ballet and Dayton Opera. He is also the Personnel Manager for the Bach Society of Dayton and host of the Drawing Room Concert series, held at the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center in Troy, Ohio.

Faculty perspective

“It is highly valued in today’s multi-genre music world to be a versatile musician, with the ability to adapt to nearly any circumstance possible.”

Research interests

• Studying trumpet abroad
• Performing at churches in historic locations in Europe
• Actively supporting military funeral details in SW Ohio
• Keeping the digital bugle from being utilized in lieu of a live trumpeter

Professional activities

• International Trumpet Guild-active member
• NAFME (past member)
• OMEA (past member)

Courses taught

• Music, Technology and Culture
• American Popular Song
• Professional Development Workshop

Recordings

• Christmas at St. Mary’s, Eric Knorr, trumpet and Kathryn Maresca, organ (TBD)
• (Title TBD), Eric Knorr, trumpet and Kathryn Maresca, organ (TBD)
• Journeyman’s Songs, Daniel Zehringer, trumpet - WSU BQ (2016)
• Wright Brass, USAF Band of Flight Wright Brass Quintet (2015)
• Scenes & Variations, USAF Heartland of America Band (2001)
• Windswept, USAF Heartland of America Band Brass Quintet (1998)
• Heartland Concert, USAF Heartland of America Band (1999)
• Heartland Journeys, USAF Heartland of America Band (1997)
• Beyond the Horizon, USAF Heartland of America Band (1997)
• Tis’ the Season, USAF Heartland of America Band (1996)
• Postcards from Japan, CCM Wind Symphony (1994) Klavier #11058 
• Suite Francaise, CCM Wind Symphony (1994), Klavier #TOCZ-9214
• Paradigm, CCM Wind Symphony (1994), Klavier #11059
• Soundings, CCM Wind Symphony (1993), Klavier #11047
• Memorials, CCM Wind Symphony (1992), Klavier #11042 
• Festival Encores, Ohio Light Opera Orchestra (1991)