Daron
Bradford (Woodwind)
People would never expect Daron Bradford to be such a powerful instrumentalist.
Unassuming, soft spoken, happy, and kind, Daron will tell you he likes
to play any kind of instrument he can get his hands on. People have
no idea to what extent that statement is so real.
Daron can play over 45 instruments, and play all of them very well. "I love to fiddle with all instruments. If anyone leaves instruments laying around, I grab them and teach myself to play," says Daron. "There is no safe instrument!"
Music was literally a part of Daron's history. His great-great-grandfather, Charles Penrose, composed several songs found in LDS Hymnbooks. He was also a second Counselor in the First Presidency to Joseph F. Smith. Many of his relatives were local band teachers and musicians in the Salt Lake area.
When Daron grew up, his mother always had music playing in the house. His brothers were constantly trying their hand with many instruments, and his mom played piano and his dad played piano by ear. But Daron was the one to make music more than a hobby. He studied piano and then clarinet. He studied with teachers from the prestigious Julliard School of Music and attended the prominent Robert Marshall Evanston Chicago School.
Heroes in Daron's life aren't made up of fame and fortune. "I've been influenced by a number of great performers, but the real influence of musicians in life have come from those who took time to mentor and tutor me in the school of music and life." Ray Smith was his Junior High band teacher, and his first big musical influence. Steve Allen was his High School band teacher and demanded perfection, from which he learned a great dedication of his craft.
After his schooling, Daron went off to play background woodwinds for the Donny and Marie Show, and moved on in his professional career to play in the Utah Symphony and was the first clarinetist in the Mexico City Philharmonic. He currently teaches at Brigham Young University, and is the principal clarinetist and member of the Orchestra at Temple Square. At church, Daron serves as a very lively Primary pianist and also directs the Youth Choir in his Stake.
And how does he find time outside of all his other duties to play with Enoch Train? "It's certainly not for the money! I do it because of the all the excellent musicianship of Enoch Train's members. They all have such a creative ability for music that it is a delight to play with such an elite group!
Each song Enoch Train plays tells a story, and so often the woodwinds carry the story along. Daron so expressively plays his instruments that listeners are captivated and engrossed in the music. Together Daron and his wife Janice have a beautiful six-year-old daughter, Emily.
