BRASS

Group Of People Holding A Trumpet — Cary, NC — Cary School of Music
Private lessons are offered in trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba. Many of the brass students at CSM are actively involved in band programs at their elementary, middle, or high schools. Much of the focus in these private lessons is on improving technique and tone production as well as learning to perform specific pieces from those programs. Preparation for All County, All District, All State, and other auditions is included for those participating in these events. Brass instrument rentals are available through our partner site NEMC.

Instructors

John Morrison - Trumpet Instructor - Cary, NC
 John Morrison taught instrumental music and marching band in the Metuchen and Rumson-Fair Haven school systems in NJ for 28 years. He also served as the Director of Music at Lincroft Presbyterian Church, NJ, conducting the choir. Mr. Morrison holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Hartt School, CT, and a Master of Music Education degree from Rutgers University, NJ. He received private trumpet instruction from Roger Murtha, William Babcock, and William Fielder, and studied conducting and solfege with Attilio Poto and George Monseur in Boston. Mr. Morrison has enjoyed a varied performance career. He has played with the Atlantic Brass Quintet, the Premier Theater Company, Phoenix Productions, The Algonquin Theater, and the Two River Theater. For 25 years he was a member of the St. Peter’s Orchestra by the Sea. In North Carolina he has performed with the Duke Wind Symphony, The Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra, and the Raleigh Jazz Orchestra.
 He has devoted the last several years to producing materials that may be used in the classroom that are intended to painlessly acquaint students with master composers of the last two centuries. Mr. Morrison now resides with his wife Catherine in Cary, NC, close to two daughters and their families. 
Caresse Virning - French Horn Instructor - Cary, NC
Marshall Sweet has a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a concentration in Instrumental Studies. He has been a member of the UNCC Band as a trombonist, was lead trombone in the UNCC Jazz Band, played tuba and trombone in the UNCC Concert Band, was principal Trombone with the UNCC Symphony Orchestra, and was trombonist with the Charlotte Concert Band. He was the horn line instructor with the Olympic High School Band in Charlotte, and is the Heartsong Co Music Director at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Raleigh. Marshall is licensed as an educator in the state of NC in Music K – 12, is proficient in teaching winds, strings, percussion, piano and voice, and has much experience in utilizing music composition and other software. As a member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia – Sigma Beta Chapter, Marshall was chapter president and has been a member of the NAFME. Marshall achieved Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and was on the Dean’s List as a college student at UNCC. He has been teaching trombone and tuba at CSM since 2014 and throughout this time has helped his students to place in auditions such as All-County, All –District, and All-State Middle and High School Bands.
Caresse Virning - French Horn Instructor - Cary, NC
Caresse Virnig received a Bachelors of Music from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Masters of Music from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, with a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Musicology. During the time between her Bachelors and Masters degrees, she studied at Penn State University, earning a Professional Performance Certificate in both solo performance and orchestral studies. Recently, Caresse joined the 208th Army Reserve Band as a Reserve Soldier where she holds the current rank of Specialist. In addition to being an Army Reserve musician, Caresse is the principal chair of the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra, and also free lances with other orchestras such as the Winston-Salem Symphony Orchestra, the Wilson Symphony Orchestra, and the Chamber Orchestra of the Triad. 
Michael Mole, trumpet and Associate Director of Cary School of Music - Cary, NC
Michael Mole, trumpet and Associate Director of Cary School of Music

Michael earned a Bachelor of Music degree in trumpet performance from UNC-Chapel Hill and has been teaching at Cary School of Music since 1995.

Mr. Mole is in high demand as a freelance trumpet player and has performed with countless professional ensembles in the triangle area including North Carolina Theatre, DPAC orchestra, Raleigh Symphony Orchestra, Durham Symphony Orchestra, Tar River Orchestra, Theatre Raleigh, Playmaker's Theatre, Raleigh Little Theatre, Temple Theatre and Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra, to name a few. Michael lives in Cary with his wife, Ginger, their three sons, Dylan, Ryan and Owen and their dog, Twix. He enjoys working with trumpet students of all ages.

Marlin Thomas - French Horn Instructor - Cary, NC

Marlin Thomas, tuba and low brass


Marlin, like the fish, Thomas is the new Professor of Low Brass at NC State starting in Fall of 2025. He holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education degree and Honors College Certificate from the University of Maryland in 2022. In 2025 he earned a Master of Music degree with concentrations in Tuba Performance and Conducting from the University of New Mexico. Throughout his playing career, Marlin has performed with professional ensembles like the Capital City Symphony in Washington DC, and the Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra in Albuquerque New Mexico. Mr. Thomas has also performed in many university ensembles like the UMD Wind Ensemble, UMD Wind Orchestra, UNM Wind Symphony, UNM Symphony Orchestra, and the UNM Jazz Band during their performance of Arturo O’Farrill’s The Cornel West Concerto. Outside of music, Mr. Thomas enjoys cooking, hiking, and playing board games with his girlfriend.