BILL FELDNER — As with most "kicks" bands, the Gateway City Big Band has several members who have full time careers other than music. This trumpet player is a sports medicine doctor with a love of music. He is Bill Feldner, who joined the band in the mid-90's because of his love for the big band sound.

Bill was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and began playing trumpet in 6th grade. In the high school band he was voted "Most Outstanding Senior." Bill took his horn with him to Drury College playing in the Concert Band, Jazz Band and Orchestra. He kept playing with community bands while attending medical school at O.S.U. in Tulsa.

When Bill moved to St. Louis he took a hiatus from music for sports medicine training, but in the early 90's joined the Meramec Concert Band and the Ambassadors of Swing, where the Gateway City Big Band got his name and called him to come be a substitute. He finally was able to alter his schedule to come play and when a spot in the trumpet section opened up in 1998, he became a regular.

Bill doesn't get to practice medicine in the band but he does add a great sound to the section. He is married to Julie, who he met at the Muny Opera. They have two children, Sara, 6 and Max, 4.

The kids will grow up with the Big Band as Bill has no plans to leave anytime soon. "I will stay with this group as long as they let me," he says enthusiastically. Bill likes the Big Band and its members. "It is one of the best and most fun bands I have ever played in," he says. He fits right in!

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