The music world lost an important member in May 2008.   After a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease, Dr. Allen Roy Trubitt passed away due to complications related to his Parkinson’s.  Dr. Trubitt will be fondly remembered by the many people his life touched for his versatility as a composer, performer, teacher, and mentor.

Dr. Trubitt received a Master of Music from Roosevelt University and his Doctorate in Music from Indiana University at Bloomington.  After earning his degrees, Dr. Trubitt entered the military to perform with the 7th Army Orchestra.  Dr. Trubitt left the military to go teach music theory and cello at Indiana State College (now called Indiana University of Pennsylvania).   Dr. Trubitt then accepted a music position at the University of Hawaii where he taught for over thirty years (serving for two years as music department chairman).  In addition, Dr. Trubitt co-authored a number of textbooks in music theory and ear training and was a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

Dr. Trubitt received many awards and honors over his long and distinguished career.  Several awards and honors that stand out are the selection of his composition “Overture in D” in the national composition competition to commemorate Rice University’s 50th anniversary in which Sir John Barbolli conducted the Houston Symphony in 1962, the first prize award for his choral work “An American Letter” in the composition competition to commemorate the Bicentennial of American Independence in 1976, and the Presidential Citation for Excellence in Teaching award he received in 1988.

Dr. Trubitt’s musical portfolio includes two symphonies, numerous chamber works, and several sonatas for piano, violin, and trumpet.  His Nine Studies for Trumpet, composed in 1964, were published in 2006 by the International Trumpet Guild.

In addition to contributing the biographical information contained in this obituary, Dr. William R. Becker, former colleague of Dr. Trubitt’s, had this to say:

“I can well understand why Allen was always very popular with his students and colleagues.  I thoroughly enjoyed working with him during our mutual performances and exchanges at Indiana State College (now Indiana University of Pennsylvania).  We spent many productive hours together rehearsing and performing not only Allen’s works, but others as well.  Allen always added a special “spark” to these “rehearsing relationships”, and I relished the enthusiastic, artistic atmosphere that he encouraged.  Allen insisted on the highest of musical standards and it was flattering to be included on these levels of performance.  On the basis of a request I made of him in 1964,  Allen composed his set of nine studies for trumpet after perusing the works of Charlier and Bitsch.  Allen’s studies may reflect some of the influences of these two composers.

Allen’s family and I were thrilled to know that ITG would publish the nine studies.  The exposure of these works will serve as a memorial to Allen’s contribution to the trumpet world, and the fact that they are now a part of repertoires of thousands of professional and amateur trumpeters all over the world makes his efforts in this medium even more significant.”

Sincerely,

Dr. William R. Becker
Retired Professor Emeritus
Indiana University of Pennsylvania

July 2008 If you would like to learn more about Dr. Allen Roy Trubitt, then please visit http://allentrubitt.blogspot.com/ created by his son David “Rudy” Trubitt.