Larry Hurst

Larry Hurst is an American double bassist and professor.

Career

Larry Hurst was born in Norfolk, Virginia.

Hurst began his music education at the age of four. He started with piano accordion and by the age of 13, he switched to studying double bass through the public school system of his hometown, Norfolk. Two years later, he was the youngest principal bassist of the Norfolk Symphony (now the Virginia Symphony), and entered the University of Michigan with a full General Motors scholarship in 1955 as a bass major, under the mentorship of Clyde Thompson. When he finished his degree, he was awarded the Stanley Medal, the School of Music's highest award for a graduating senior.

Hurst started his professional career as principal bassist with the Dallas Symphony under Hungarian-British conductor Sir Georg Solti. In 1964, he joined the music faculty at the University of Michigan School of Music in Ann Arbor, Michigan. During his tenure at Michigan, he chaired the String Department and was Associate Dean and Director of the University Division of the National Music Camp (now the Interlochen Arts Camp) in Interlochen, Michigan.

In 1986, Hurst joined the faculty of the Jacobs School of Music of Indiana University as the chair of the String Department. He retired from the Jacobs School in June 2012, whereupon his former students initiated an endowment scholarship and medal for double bassists in his name.

Achievements and awards

• 2005: American String Teacher's Association Artist/Teacher of the Year Award
• 2006: Distinguished Teaching Award from the International Society of Bassists
• 2013: Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Society of Bassists