Michael Best

Michael Best, trumpet, hails from Glidden, Iowa, but moved to the Butler, Pennsylvania, area in 1999 to raise a family.

He received his musical training at the U.S. Army School of Music and went on to serve in both North Carolina at Fort Bragg and in Hawaii at Schofield Barracks. While in the military, Mike performed with the 82nd Airborne Division Band, 25th Infantry Division (Light) Band, the Fort Shafter Army Community Theatre, and a Honolulu band named ‘Go Jimmy Go’.

Additionally, Mike was honored to perform the duty of playing taps for military funerals more than 1000 times during his military career.

His day job is working as a Project Foreman for carpentry and remodeling contracts. He enjoys spending time with his daughter Ginger (8) and son Chaney (6).

Mike is a PADI certified Divemaster and also enjoys surfing, camping, fishing, computer gaming and swimming.

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY:  “I had found this great camo-style surf board in a local shop called Surf-N-Sea, It became my favorite board.  I was surfing 12-foot waves at Waimea Bay on Oahu’s famous North Shore. Fortunately, I survived. My favorite board didn’t.”

Mike plays a 1949 Olds Super Recording using a Bach 10 ½ C and a Conn flugelhorn using a Blessing 3FL. He has been part of the organization since March 2005.