Andrew Chappell

Andrew Chappell joined the Minnesota Orchestra as bass trombonist in fall 2014. He previously was bass trombonist of the Rochester Philharmonic, the Santa Fe Opera and the New World Symphony. He performs regularly with the Burning River Brass ensemble and the Slap-Happy Whackamole Steam Gang.

Chappell, a San Francisco native, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Oberlin College and Rice University, respectively. He earned a degree in hard knocks from teaching 40 middle school trombonists private lessons for two years. Chappell has performed with orchestras including the Houston Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Finnish Radio Symphony, Malaysian Philharmonic, Nörkopping Symphony, Toronto Symphony and the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra, as well as with the revival of Les Miserables and with singer-songwriter Feist at the ceremony for Canada’s Juno Awards. He also performed under the baton of Carol Channing for his high school's 100-year anniversary.

Chappell lives in South Minneapolis with his partner, Kristen Bruya, principal bass of the Minnesota Orchestra. Together they enjoy hiking, camping, cooking, climbing and watching baseball.