Adjunct Faculty

Adjunct faculty member Larry Spencer started playing the trumpet at the age of 10 under the direction of Donald Kennedy in Louisville, Ohio. He went on to attend Capital University Conservatory of Music in Columbus, Ohio, where he studied with Ray Eubanks and played principal trumpet in the orchestra, lead trumpet in the jazz band and first cornet in the wind ensemble and brass choir. In 1977, he moved to Texas to attend the University of North Texas, where he performed in the graduate brass quintet and played in the renowned 1:00 Lab Band, recording “Lab ’78.”

He began his professional career with the Buddy Rich Big Band in 1980, followed by a stint with the Woody Herman Orchestra. In 1987, he was a featured soloist at the International Electronic Music Festival in Atlanta. He has performed with and recorded with many major musical artists, including Henry Mancini, Nelson Riddle, Bob Hope, Andy Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Lou Rawls, Cab Calloway, Billy Eckstine, Joe Williams, Natalie Cole, Ray Charles, Rita Moreno, Toni Tenille, Marvin Hamlisch, Reba McIntyre and Frank Sinatra.

Mr. Spencer’s work can be heard on more than 60 CDs, several movie soundtracks, dozens of radio and television jingles and a live morning television show. His recordings include four releases under his own name.

His classical credits include principal and section trumpet with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra, Arlington Philharmonic, East Texas Symphony Orchestra, Waco Symphony Orchestra and Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. His work with television, radio and commercial clients includes Radio Shack, The Dallas Morning News, Zales Jewelry, New York City, ESPN, the Dallas Mavericks, the popular children’s syndicated TV show “Barney” and Daystar Television Network.