Warren A. Benfield (February 12, 1913–July 8, 2001) was a classical

double bass The double bass (), also known as the upright bass, the acoustic bass, the bull fiddle, or simply the bass, is the largest and lowest-pitched string instrument, chordophone in the modern orchestra, symphony orchestra (excluding rare additions ...

player. He enjoyed a long career in the bass section of the

Chicago Symphony Orchestra The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is an American symphony orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by Theodore Thomas in 1891, the ensemble has been based in the Symphony Center since 1904 and plays a summer season at the Ravinia F ...

and was a professor at

Northwestern University Northwestern University (NU) is a Private university, private research university in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1851 to serve the historic Northwest Territory, it is the oldest University charter, chartered university in ...

Studies and orchestral career

Warren Benfield was a student of Anton Torello at the

Curtis Institute of Music The Curtis Institute of Music is a private conservatory in Philadelphia. It offers a performance diploma, a Bachelor of Music, Master of Music in opera, and a Professional Studies Certificate in opera. All students attend on a full scholarshi ...

in Philadelphia. Benfield joined the bass section of the

Minneapolis Symphony The Minnesota Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded originally as the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra in 1903, the Minnesota Orchestra plays most of its concerts at Minneapolis's Orchestra Hall. History Th ...

, becoming its youngest member in 1934. He also played as principal bass in the

Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) is an American symphony orchestra based in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1880 by Joseph Otten as the St. Louis Choral Society, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest professional symphony o ...

before joining the

Philadelphia Orchestra The Philadelphia Orchestra is an American symphony orchestra, based in Philadelphia. One of the " Big Five" American orchestras, the orchestra is based at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, where it performs its subscription concerts, n ...

in 1942. He played for a short while as co-principal, sharing the position with fellow Torello pupil Roger Scott,Kupferberg, Herbert. Those Fabulous Philadelphians: the life and times of a great orchestra. London: W. H. Allen, 1970. Print. before being appointed principal bass of the

Rafael Kubelik Rafael may refer to: * Rafael (given name) or Raphael, a name of Hebrew origin * Rafael, California Fiction * ''Rafael'' (TV series), a Mexican telenovela * ''Rafaël'' (film), a 2018 Dutch film People * Rafael (footballer, born 1978) ( ...

in 1949. Kubelik's presence in Chicago was not a long one, and Benfield was eventually fired, forcing him to audition for the orchestra. He continued to play in the Chicago Symphony until his retirement in 1987.Benfield, Warren, and James Seay Dean. The Art of Double Bass Playing. Alfred Publishing, 1995. Print.

Teaching

Warren Benfield taught for many years at

in Evanston, IL. He built a reputation there as one of the leading double bass teachers of his time. Some prominent bassists who studied with Warren include Harold Robinson,

Rufus Reid Rufus Reid (born February 10, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American jazz bassist, educator, and composer. Biography Reid was raised in Sacramento, California, where he played the trumpet through junior high and high school. Upon graduation ...

and

Jeff Bradetich Jeffrey David Bradetich (born 1957) is an Americans, American professor and performer of double bass. He currently teaches at the University of North Texas College of Music. Bradetich made his New York City debut at the Carnegie Recital Hall (no ...

. He also taught at

DePaul University DePaul University is a private university, private Catholic higher education, Catholic research university in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded by the Congregation of the Mission, Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from ...

in Chicago. Warren Benfield wrote, with the help of James Seay Dean Jr.,
The Art of Double Bass Playing
'- a text which outlines many important qualities required of the double bassist in ensemble and solo playing as well as showing, if not expertise, appreciation for players in Jazz and contemporary classical fields. While not a bass method, ''The Art of the Double Bass'' includes numerous passages from orchestral and solo repertoire; it refers to these passages as they relate to the topics discussed.

References

External links

The Art of Double Bass Playing

{{DEFAULTSORT:Benfield, Warren 1913 births American classical double-bassists Male double-bassists 2001 deaths Northwestern University faculty DePaul University faculty Curtis Institute of Music alumni 20th-century American musicians 20th-century classical musicians 20th-century double-bassists 20th-century American male musicians Players of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra

Studies and orchestral career

Teaching

See also

References

External links