Philip Arno, bass sackbut

Philip Arno began playing sackbut in 1971 at the University of Texas, Austin, under the direction of Gilbert Blount. It was quite a start too; the bass sackbut arrived one week before his first performance with the ensemble. Being a professional bass trombonist helps, but the differences between the two types of instruments makes for some very interesting mental and physical gymnastics. Note the extension handle on the extra long slide.

Philip retired from being the bass trombonist in the Austin Symphony in 2023. He has been a member of the Austin Opera orchestra since 1987, and previously performed with the Victoria Bach Festival, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the American Wind Symphony Orchestra, the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, and the Mobile Symphony Orchestra.

In tandem with his performing, from 1970-88 he was a piano technician, but he replaced that career with technology when he earned an Associate’s Degree in Electronics in 1988. He retired in March 2014 from his position at Travis County as a customer support analyst.

He is a freelance photographer, an amateur astrophotographer, an avid cyclist along with practicing yoga and Pilates.