Donald
Donald L. Trostle
Donald L. Trostle, 84 of Lancaster, PA passed away June 22, 2012 at Landis Homes surrounded by his loving family. Born in Hanover, PA on August 8, 1927, he was the son of the late Jay Roger and Leona Mae Hamm Trostle. He was the husband of Elizabeth Gottshall Trostle and had been married for 59 ½ years.
Don served in the U.S. Navy. He graduated from Eichelberger High School in Hanover and Lebanon Valley College. For over 29 years he worked in the public school system, 26 of them at J.P. McCaskey High School. Affectionately known by his students as “Mr. T,” he directed the concert and marching bands, the orchestra and the stage band.
During 1962-1978 the McCaskey Marching Band gained national attention by performing televised half time shows for 10 N.F.L. football games. The McCaskey Concert Band played for the opening of the New York World’s Fair in 1964.
Don was musical director for over 1069 performances of Broadway musicals for 16 organizations. Along with the many Fulton Theater productions he worked with theaters in the York, Harrisburg, Lebanon and Lancaster areas.
In 1964 Don was appointed director of the Philadelphia Eagles Sound of Brass. The band entertained at all of the Eagle’s games. As arranger for the band he wrote special arrangements for Gene Krupa, Ella Fitzgerald and many other guest artists who were featured during the half time shows.
After retirement from McCaskey, Don formed the Concert Band of Lancaster. The band was composed of 40 professional and classically trained musicians. The group was best known for their series of free Sunday night concerts in the Lancaster Square.
Well known in Central Pennsylvania as both a classical and jazz pianist, he was the director of both the Don Trostle Big Band and the Don Trostle Jazz Quartet.
When Don was a student at Lebanon Valley College, he established the first Jazz Concert in the school’s history. He had returned to present a series of Jazz Reunion Concerts made up of LVC alumni and the LVC Alumni Chorale.
Don was founder and director of Sound Reflections, a vocal group consisting of 4 singers that were featured with Don’s big band and his concert band. They performed at the White House twice and sang the National Anthem at 2 Phillies baseball games. They also sang at a gala honoring Carol Channing.
He served as director of the Lanchester Chorus of Lancaster and Chester Counties. The chorus presented several concerts at Longwood Gardens. They also performed a concert at Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in addition to 5 Christmas concerts at the White House.
For over 50 years, Don has served as choir and orchestra director at many area churches. He most recently served at St. Paul’s U.C.C.in Manheim and St. Paul’s United Methodist in Mountville. He was a member of Lancaster Church of the Brethren.
One of Don’s biggest pleasures of his musical career was teaching his many piano students and watching them grow musically. Many of his students went onto music schools; others are performing professionally.
He was a member of several civic and professional associations including the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, honorary life member of the Lancaster Kiwanis Club and a life member of the American Federation of Musicians.
In addition to his wife, “Liz,” Don is survived by two sons, David L., husband of Noreen Trostle of Manheim, and James A. Trostle of Lancaster; two daughters, Donna J., wife of Douglas Barnes of Lancaster and Barbara J., wife of David Bachman of Palmyra, PA; 6 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and a sister, Susan Ward of Doylestown, PA; He was predeceased by a brother, William D. Trostle.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Memorial Service from Lancaster Church of the Brethren, 1601 Sunset Ave., Lancaster, Pa on Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 2:00P.M. The family will greet friends immediately following the service. Private interment will be held in the Memorial Gardens of the church at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Don’s memory may be sent to: Music for Everyone “MFE in the Schools Program”; 42 N. Prince St., Lancaster, PA 17603.
Don served in the U.S. Navy. He graduated from Eichelberger High School in Hanover and Lebanon Valley College. For over 29 years he worked in the public school system, 26 of them at J.P. McCaskey High School. Affectionately known by his students as “Mr. T,” he directed the concert and marching bands, the orchestra and the stage band.
During 1962-1978 the McCaskey Marching Band gained national attention by performing televised half time shows for 10 N.F.L. football games. The McCaskey Concert Band played for the opening of the New York World’s Fair in 1964.
Don was musical director for over 1069 performances of Broadway musicals for 16 organizations. Along with the many Fulton Theater productions he worked with theaters in the York, Harrisburg, Lebanon and Lancaster areas.
In 1964 Don was appointed director of the Philadelphia Eagles Sound of Brass. The band entertained at all of the Eagle’s games. As arranger for the band he wrote special arrangements for Gene Krupa, Ella Fitzgerald and many other guest artists who were featured during the half time shows.
After retirement from McCaskey, Don formed the Concert Band of Lancaster. The band was composed of 40 professional and classically trained musicians. The group was best known for their series of free Sunday night concerts in the Lancaster Square.
Well known in Central Pennsylvania as both a classical and jazz pianist, he was the director of both the Don Trostle Big Band and the Don Trostle Jazz Quartet.
When Don was a student at Lebanon Valley College, he established the first Jazz Concert in the school’s history. He had returned to present a series of Jazz Reunion Concerts made up of LVC alumni and the LVC Alumni Chorale.
Don was founder and director of Sound Reflections, a vocal group consisting of 4 singers that were featured with Don’s big band and his concert band. They performed at the White House twice and sang the National Anthem at 2 Phillies baseball games. They also sang at a gala honoring Carol Channing.
He served as director of the Lanchester Chorus of Lancaster and Chester Counties. The chorus presented several concerts at Longwood Gardens. They also performed a concert at Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in addition to 5 Christmas concerts at the White House.
For over 50 years, Don has served as choir and orchestra director at many area churches. He most recently served at St. Paul’s U.C.C.in Manheim and St. Paul’s United Methodist in Mountville. He was a member of Lancaster Church of the Brethren.
One of Don’s biggest pleasures of his musical career was teaching his many piano students and watching them grow musically. Many of his students went onto music schools; others are performing professionally.
He was a member of several civic and professional associations including the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, honorary life member of the Lancaster Kiwanis Club and a life member of the American Federation of Musicians.
In addition to his wife, “Liz,” Don is survived by two sons, David L., husband of Noreen Trostle of Manheim, and James A. Trostle of Lancaster; two daughters, Donna J., wife of Douglas Barnes of Lancaster and Barbara J., wife of David Bachman of Palmyra, PA; 6 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and a sister, Susan Ward of Doylestown, PA; He was predeceased by a brother, William D. Trostle.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Memorial Service from Lancaster Church of the Brethren, 1601 Sunset Ave., Lancaster, Pa on Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 2:00P.M. The family will greet friends immediately following the service. Private interment will be held in the Memorial Gardens of the church at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Don’s memory may be sent to: Music for Everyone “MFE in the Schools Program”; 42 N. Prince St., Lancaster, PA 17603.
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