WILLIAM BERNDT Solo Tenor Horn Instrument: Besson Sovereign 950 tenor horn (known as "The Beast") formerly owned and modified by David Kratz, solo tenor horn, United States Army Brass Band, retired Mouthpiece: Denis Wick classic 2A or 1A - depending on my mood. I also have a Wick Heritage 2A and a Stork 3BC in my arsenal which I use on rare occasions Music Heroes: Maurice André, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic, Benny Goodman, Fritz Wunderlich, Harold Wright, Arthur Grumiaux, Louis Armstrong

William Berndt, a Kansas City native, joined the Chicago Brass Band after playing first tenor horn for 2 seasons with the Fountain City Brass Band. Though clarinet is (or was...) his primary instrument, he played mellophone in his high school marching band as well as in college before playing euphonium as well. As clarinetist, Will has performed with many ensembles, including the Missouri Chamber Orchestra, the Kansas City Symphony, the Liberty Symphony and the St. Joseph Symphony; he served as principal clarinetist with the Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City for five years. In addition, he has been a cornetist in the Cameron (Missouri) Municipal Band for 10 years, and also played fourth trumpet in the Kansas City Civic Orchestra. A photographer and custom picture framer, in addition to his passion for music, his personal interests include nature and wildlife photography, vintage jazz, cooking, reading, hiking and kayaking. His wife, Lora, is second oboist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the first musician appointed by Riccardo Muti. They have two basset hounds named Watson (who is perfect in every way) and Sophy and a beagle, Elsie; all are named for characters in the Sherlock Holmes stories.