With commemoration of the 10th-year memorial anniversary of alumnus Mark William Lord ’79, student Mark M. Murphy ’25 has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Lord Family Music Endowment Fund; an honor bestowed upon an outstanding Hartt student annually. This award provides a custom-built trumpet to a student who exemplifies exceptional talent, preparation, leadership, and dedication to learning. Murphy was presented with a Ken Larson Piccolo Trumpet on Saturday, March 23, during the Hartt Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band Concert at Lincoln Theater.
His hometown of Olive, New Jersey, Murphy is a third-year student majoring in Trumpet Performance at Hartt. He is a dedicated and ambitious student, actively engaged in various academic and musical pursuits under the mentorship of Phil Snedecor, his instructor at Hartt. In addition to his primary focus on Trumpet Performance, Murphy is engaged in a diverse range of studies including 19th Century Harmony, Mixed Ensemble, Music Literature of the 20th Century, Music Theory Colloquium, Music Theory Pedagogy, Piano Keyboard Classics, and Omni Brass and Percussion. He is currently a member of the Hartt Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and Brass Quintet. Looking ahead, Murphy aspires to continue his education, with a focus on music theory and the goal of teaching at the university level. His passion for music and dedication to his craft serve as an inspiration to his peers and exemplify the spirit of excellence upheld by the Lord Family Music Endowment Fund.
Lord Family Music Endowment Fund, presented with the gift of a trumpet, each year is a testament to the generosity of Mark Lord’s devoted sisters, Cathy, and Amy. Mark held the esteemed position of principal trumpet chair within the Taipei Philharmonic Symphony in Taiwan for several years. Following this chapter, he relocated to Reno, Nevada, where he showcased his musical prowess as a member of the renowned band for the Hello Hollywood Hello show. Additionally, Mark lent his talents to numerous ensembles across the Reno-Tahoe region as a freelance musician, leaving an indelible mark on the local music scene. Moreover, he contributed his expertise as a faculty instructor in continuing education at the University of Nevada, Reno.