About Us

The Eastern Virginia Brass has been an ensemble for more than 30 years. In that time the quintet has excited audiences with the premier of a ballet for brass and dancers by Thomas Rice, a performance of American music opening the Kimball Theatre in Williamsburg and the inaugural recital in the theater of the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia in Virginia Beach. Most recently the group premiered a delightful work by well-known composer John Dixon, and were included in a CD of exciting music by nationally known composer Adolphus Hailstork, and has commissioned a work by Richmond composer Lee Baxter and poet Bob Arthur. Threshold to America is a significant work for brass quintet and narrator commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown Settlement.

Robert Ford, trombone, is also a long-time resident of Virginia Beach. His degrees in music are from Ohio Wesleyan College, the University of Southern California and a doctorate from the Catholic University of America. He is a former member of the Spokane (Washington) Symphony and Virginia Symphony. Dr. Ford developed and teaches the first on-line music course at Tidewater Community College and Rappahanock Community College. He sometimes serves as a music consultant to schools in this area.

Robert Spaeth, trumpet, is a graduate of Northwestern University. From their he enlisted in the US Army where he served for 22 years. While stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, Mr. Spaeth was featured solist with the massed bands at the Musik der Nationen in Bermen. In 1985, he continued as trumpeter in the US Army Field Band of Washington, DC., the US Army's premier touring band. Working with young talent, Mr. Spaeth is also Executive Director of the Bay Youth Orchestras of Virginia, a member of the Williamsburg Symphonia, and a brass coach for the Williamsburg Youth Orchestra Chamber series.

Peter DuBeau, tuba, has been playing with the Virginia Symphony since 1989, and has been featured as a soloist for the orchestra's family series. Over the summer he plays at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan. Previously, he has been the principal tubist of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Mr. DuBeau holds music degrees from Northwestern University and the University of Michigan.

Lawrence Clemens, trumpet, was born in New York, but raised in Virginia Beach and is graduate of Princess Anne High School. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance at the University of Illinois. For 18 years he was principal trumpet of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and trumpet instructor at Seton Hall University. While in New Jersey, Mr. Clemens also performed with the Princeton Pro Musica, the New Jersey Opera, the Opera at Florham, the Cathedral Orchestra among others. currently, Mr. Clemens is a trumpet teacher at Music and Arts in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. He has performed with the Virginia Symphony and Williamsburg Symphonia and other ensembles throughout the Hampton Roads region.

Marlene Ford, horn, is a long-time resident of the area. She has music degrees from Ohio University and Norfolk State University. Ms. Ford was for many years a member of the Virginia Beach Pops, the Virginia Opera Orchestra and Virginia Symphony. She currently performs with the Williamsburg Symphonia and is horn instructor at Old Dominion University.