Elliot J. Topalian

Elliott J. Topalian, 70, of North Syracuse, died Wednesday August 27, 2003 at Crouse Hospital. He was a native and lifetime resident of the area and had lived in North Syracuse since 1970. He was an Army Veteran. Mr. Topalian graduated from Syracuse University with Bachelors and Masters degrees in music. He retired in 1995 from North Syracuse Central Schools where he was Associate Director of Music at CNS High School and previously was instrumental music instructor at Gillette Road Middle School.

His trumpet teachers included Pedro Lozano (one of Rafael Méndez's teachers), and Sidney Mear (Eastman school of Music).

As a lead player at the Four Rivers Club and State Fairs in Syracuse, his performance credits include playing trumpet for Milton Berle, Jimmy Durante, Connie Francis, Nat King Cole, Jerry Vale, Betty Hutton and Pete Condoli, Tony Bennett, Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme, The Four Freshman, Four Aces, Four Lads, The Platters, Engelbert Humperdink, Sammy Davis Jr., Martha Raye, Louis Armstrong, Xavier Cugat, Lou Rawls, Peter Lawford, Sergio Franki, Paul Anka, The Ink Spots, Bobby Darin, and others. He also performed in several symphonies, numerous ice shows and circuses.

His long list of students includes Lee Thornburg (The Tonight Show Band), Scott Thornburg (Western Michigan University), Jim Ward (Atlantic City Casinos Lead Trumpet), John Raschella (Syracuse Symphony Orchestra), and Dr. David Champouillon (East Tennessee State University). He was a member and Vice President of Local 78 Musicians Union, a member of several musical organizations, and was listed in Who's Who of Music.