Susan Slaughter joined the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra in l969 and four years later became the first woman ever to be named Principal Trumpet of a major symphony orchestra. She has been on the faculty of the Grand Teton Orchestra Seminar, the National Orchestra Institute, The Texas Music Festival, and the Aspen Music Festival.

In 1992 Ms. Slaughter founded the International Women’s Brass Conference, an organization dedicated to provide opportunities and recognition for women brass musicians. As a fund-raising effort to support the International Women’s Brass Conference, Ms. Slaughter organized and has produced the very popular Holiday Brass concerts, which are now in their third decade, and are performed each December. Additionally, Baltimore, MD also produces a Holiday Brass concert to help support the ever growing International Women’s Brass Conference.

In 1996, Ms. Slaughter founded Monarch Brass, an all female brass ensemble which has performed in the United States and Europe to critical acclaim.  In 2003, they released their first recording titled ‘Monarch Brass.’

For more information about the International Women’s Brass Conference and the Holiday Brass Concerts, visit www.myiwbc.org, and www.holidaybrass.com respectively.

Ms. Slaughter retired as Principal Trumpet from the Saint Louis Symphony on September 1, 2010.