Charles Steck has enjoyed a long and storied career as a musician and educator in our community. He holds both the degrees Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music from Valparaiso University, and has done advanced study at the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University and VanderCook College of Music Mr. Steck has been Instructor of Trumpet at Valparaiso University since 1990, teaching studio trumpet and trumpet choir. In 2016 he became Instructor of Trumpet at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, where he teaches trumpet and brass ensemble. He also teaches students at Lakeshore High school, Portage High School, and the Culver Academy, as well as in La Porte.

Mr. Steck performs regularly as a trumpeter with the St. Joseph (Michigan) Municipal Band, where he has been featured trumpet and vocal soloist on numerous occasions. Since 2003, he has served as Principal Trumpet of the Elkhart County Symphony Orchestra, as well. He is also a long-time trumpet and vocalist with the Tom Milo Big Band. In addition, he performs with the North American Brass Company, a brass quintet which performs throughout the Michiana region.

In 2013, after a lengthy career as principal trumpet, Mr. Steck became the conductor and music director of the historic La Porte City Band, the oldest continuous municipal band in the State of Indiana.

His work with the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra features him serving as the Principal Trumpet, a position he has held since 1980. He first joined the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra when he was in high school, during the orchestra’s very first season, and in 2006 he was named the orchestra’s Most Outstanding Musician.