Robert Simmergren

My Junior year at Cal State Long Beach, I asked Jeff Reynolds if it might make sense to take advantage of the opportunity to study with his teacher, Robert Simmegren. Jeff said that was a great idea. I studied with Mr. Simmergren for a couple semesters.
 
I don’t know how long Simmergren had taught at CSLB before I arrived. In addition to Jeff, he had taught hundreds of trombone students over the years, including Dean Plank, Garrett List, John Hall, and Andy Martin. He was marvelous teacher and elegant gentleman. I can still see his camel hair blazer and white turtleneck if I close my eyes.
 
I remember my first lesson. I had been struggling with an embouchure change for a year or so and was feeling pretty dejected. He said, “Go warm up. I’ll make a pot of coffee and be right back.” He returned and said, “It sounds [note: not ‘looks’] like your lower lip is a little too far forward.” Problem solved. (He also introduced me to mouthpiece buzzing which undoubtedly was a huge factor in my rehabilitation.)
 
Bob had been the bass trombonist in the Long Beach Symphony for years. When it became clear that his days there were numbered, he told me, “This guy’s going to fire me and I’d like you to have the job, so I’m going to make you my sub.” That came to pass. I did win the audition. (To be clear, only six people showed up, but I did win it.) The fact he thought to give me a leg up on his way out speaks volumes!