Samuel Chen, a native of Huntington, Indiana, was raised in a musical family. Having first studied the cello, Sam began euphonium studies at the age of 13 and took up trombone at 16.
In 1992 Sam won first place in the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium Competition and graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy in 1993, receiving an award for excellent performance in euphonium.
Studying with Steven Witser, Sam earned his B.M. in trombone performance in 1997 from the Cleveland Institute of Music. He is the only trombonist to have been a winner in the CIM concerto competition.
Continuing his education at Indiana University, Sam also earned the Artist Diploma, studying with M. Dee Stewart and Carl Lenthe. Additional pedagogical influences include Jay Friedman, Scott Hartman, and Ed Zadrozny.
Since joining the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra as principal trombone in the fall of 2000, Sam has maintained a busy schedule as a performer as well as a teacher. In addition to his position with the KSO, he serves as a member of the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra, the Knoxville Brass Quintet as well as a founding member of the new 5 piece brass ensemble, Knox Brass WorX Company.
He has held the position of principal trombone with the Missouri Chamber Orchestra, and has performed with the New World Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas. Furthermore, he has performed with symphony orchestras in Ft.Wayne, Kalamazoo, Akron, and Evansville.
In Knoxville Sam also keeps a studio of eighteen students, ranging from grades 5 through 12. As a soloist, Sam has premiered the Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra by W. Mark Harrell with the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra in 2002, and has served as soloist on several occasions with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. Additional solo engagements have included performances with the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra, Case Western Reserve University Wind Ensemble, Ft. Wayne Philharmonic, and Missouri Chamber Orchestra.
