Trumpet/Piano Duo

Trumpet · Yamaha Performing Artist

Chuck Seipp

Trumpeter Chuck Seipp culminated his 32-year career with The United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own,” as Concert Band Group Leader. Sergeant Major Seipp performed at national, presidential, and historical world events; significant ceremonies and special events in Washington, D.C.; and funerals and wreath-laying ceremonies in Arlington National Cemetery. His work included the Concert Band, Orchestra, Ceremonial Band, Herald Trumpets, Army Brass Quintet, and featured solo appearances.

Chuck toured and recorded throughout Europe with world-renowned organist Diane Bish, appearing regularly on her Joy of Music television series. He has also performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington Opera House Orchestra, Washington Ballet Orchestra, and Washington Bach Consort, and leads The Commonwealth Brass Quintet.

Through CJ Seipp Music Publications, Chuck markets brass arrangements performed and recorded by ensembles including the Canadian Brass Quintet and The U.S. Army Brass Quintet. The Wedding Book, his recording project with organist Mary Mozelle, has become a valuable resource for organists and trumpeters nationally and internationally.

His present passion is managing, promoting, and performing with the Seipp/Kasparian Trumpet & Piano Duo and the Seipp/Fickley and Seipp/Williams Trumpet & Organ Duos. Specialized arrangements and synchronized video take these performances to exceptional musical and entertaining heights.

Chuck served as Adjunct Professor of Trumpet at James Madison University through May 2025, at Shenandoah University from 2013–2019, and as Visiting Professor at Texas Tech University from 2012–2013. He holds a music education degree from The University of Kansas and master’s and doctoral degrees in trumpet performance from The Catholic University of America.

Piano · Composer · Arranger

Raffi Kasparian

Pianist Raffi Kasparian’s passion for the piano was ignited at age 14 after hearing Josef Hofmann perform works by romantic-era composers. Within a year of beginning serious lessons, he was already playing repertoire that normally takes much younger starters years to reach. At age 16, he entered college as a math and music double major before recognizing that piano performance was his calling.

Dr. Kasparian earned his bachelor’s degree in music from California State University at Northridge in 1982, his master’s from the Peabody Conservatory in 1984, and his doctorate in piano performance from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1988. He continued with post-doctoral studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

He gives solo and collaborative recitals throughout the United States, Canada, and the Philippines. His repertoire includes classical works by Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, Kabalevsky, and others, along with his own compositions and classical-style arrangements of popular and sacred music. He also performs chamber music with accomplished instrumentalists and choral ensembles, and piano concertos with noted orchestras.

Dr. Kasparian retired on February 28, 2015, after 24 years as pianist for The United States Army Chorus, the vocal counterpart of The United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own.” The Army Chorus regularly appeared at the White House, U.S. Capitol, Kennedy Center, and prominent venues across the country.

Alongside his performing schedule, he composes and arranges piano and choral music and coaches advanced students. His enthusiasm for mathematics also led to software engineering at Science Applications International Corporation. He co-authored Java for Artists, used by programming professionals. Raffi lives with his family in Northern Virginia.

Trumpet & Piano Duo

Unlike Any Ensemble Performing Today

Two Distinguished Musicians

Chuck Seipp

Raffi Kasparian

Music · Education · Innovation

Original Musical Settings

Teaching & Mentorship

Creative Versatility

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