Charles Steck

Biography

Charles Steck has enjoyed a long and storied career as a musician and educator in the region.  He is extremely active as a performer, teacher, and clinician throughout the area.

He holds both the degrees Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music from Valparaiso University, and has done advanced study at the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University and VanderCook College of Music.  His teachers have included Charles Mann, Greg Fudala, Luther Didrikson, Tom Crown, and Neal Bernsten.

Mr. Steck has been Instructor of Trumpet at Valparaiso University since 1990, where he has worked with students of all majors and from all walks of life.  He also teaches trumpet at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, and has an active studio in his home in La Porte, Indiana.  

He serves as principal Trumpet and Associate Conductor of the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra, and he served as Interim Music Director for the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.  Mr. Steck also performs regularly as a trumpeter with the St. Joseph (Michigan) Municipal Band, where he has been featured trumpet and vocal soloist on numerous occasions. Since 2003, he has served as Principal Trumpet of the Elkhart County Symphony Orchestra, as well.  He is also a long-time trumpeter and vocalist with the Tom Milo Big Band. His brass quintet, the North American Brass Company, performs throughout the region, performing recitals, master classes, and benefit performances for groups such as CASA and Heroin Awareness.  

In 2013, after a lengthy career as principal trumpet, Mr. Steck became the conductor and music director of the historic La Porte City Band, which is one of the oldest continuous municipal bands in the State of Indiana.