William E. Arsers, 85, a retired French horn player with the Navy Band and the National Symphony Orchestra, died July 18 of complications after heart surgery at Kindred Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was a Washington resident until moving to Tamarac, Fla., in 1985.
Mr. Arsers was born in McAllen, Tex., and grew up in Chatfield, Minn. His early musical training came from his father, a professional musician.
After graduating from high school in Chatfield, where he won a 1939 national championship as a horn player, he moved to Minneapolis and studied privately with William Muelb and Herbert Hendricks of the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra. He played with the Duluth Symphony Orchestra and the St. Paul Civic Opera.
He joined the Navy in 1942 and was assigned to the Navy School of Music. Classical pianist Earl Wild, serving in the Navy at the time, heard him play and recommended him for the Navy Band. Mr. Arsers was a member of the band for 20 years and a featured soloist.
After retiring as first hornist in 1962, he became a member of the National Symphony Orchestra's French horn section. He played under three conductors -- Howard Mitchell, Antal Dorati and Mstislav Rostropovich -- before his retirement in 1985.
Besides in his regular appearances with the National Symphony, he performed on numerous broadcasts, festivals and other musical events.
He also was an adjunct instructor at American University, George Washington University and Prince George's Community College.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Irene Arsers of Tamarac; two sons, William Arsers Jr. of Seattle and Michael Arsers of Chicago; five brothers; and six grandchildren.
Mr. Arsers was born in McAllen, Tex., and grew up in Chatfield, Minn. His early musical training came from his father, a professional musician.
After graduating from high school in Chatfield, where he won a 1939 national championship as a horn player, he moved to Minneapolis and studied privately with William Muelb and Herbert Hendricks of the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra. He played with the Duluth Symphony Orchestra and the St. Paul Civic Opera.
He joined the Navy in 1942 and was assigned to the Navy School of Music. Classical pianist Earl Wild, serving in the Navy at the time, heard him play and recommended him for the Navy Band. Mr. Arsers was a member of the band for 20 years and a featured soloist.
After retiring as first hornist in 1962, he became a member of the National Symphony Orchestra's French horn section. He played under three conductors -- Howard Mitchell, Antal Dorati and Mstislav Rostropovich -- before his retirement in 1985.
Besides in his regular appearances with the National Symphony, he performed on numerous broadcasts, festivals and other musical events.
He also was an adjunct instructor at American University, George Washington University and Prince George's Community College.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Irene Arsers of Tamarac; two sons, William Arsers Jr. of Seattle and Michael Arsers of Chicago; five brothers; and six grandchildren.
William E. Arsers, 85, a retired French horn player with the Navy Band and the National Symphony Orchestra, died July 18 of complications after heart surgery at Kindred Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was a Washington resident until moving to Tamarac, Fla., in 1985.
Mr. Arsers was born in McAllen, Tex., and grew up in Chatfield, Minn. His early musical training came from his father, a professional musician.
After graduating from high school in Chatfield, where he won a 1939 national championship as a horn player, he moved to Minneapolis and studied privately with William Muelb and Herbert Hendricks of the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra. He played with the Duluth Symphony Orchestra and the St. Paul Civic Opera.
He joined the Navy in 1942 and was assigned to the Navy School of Music. Classical pianist Earl Wild, serving in the Navy at the time, heard him play and recommended him for the Navy Band. Mr. Arsers was a member of the band for 20 years and a featured soloist.
After retiring as first hornist in 1962, he became a member of the National Symphony Orchestra's French horn section. He played under three conductors -- Howard Mitchell, Antal Dorati and Mstislav Rostropovich -- before his retirement in 1985.
Besides in his regular appearances with the National Symphony, he performed on numerous broadcasts, festivals and other musical events.
He also was an adjunct instructor at American University, George Washington University and Prince George's Community College.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Irene Arsers of Tamarac; two sons, William Arsers Jr. of Seattle and Michael Arsers of Chicago; five brothers; and six grandchildren.
Mr. Arsers was born in McAllen, Tex., and grew up in Chatfield, Minn. His early musical training came from his father, a professional musician.
After graduating from high school in Chatfield, where he won a 1939 national championship as a horn player, he moved to Minneapolis and studied privately with William Muelb and Herbert Hendricks of the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra. He played with the Duluth Symphony Orchestra and the St. Paul Civic Opera.
He joined the Navy in 1942 and was assigned to the Navy School of Music. Classical pianist Earl Wild, serving in the Navy at the time, heard him play and recommended him for the Navy Band. Mr. Arsers was a member of the band for 20 years and a featured soloist.
After retiring as first hornist in 1962, he became a member of the National Symphony Orchestra's French horn section. He played under three conductors -- Howard Mitchell, Antal Dorati and Mstislav Rostropovich -- before his retirement in 1985.
Besides in his regular appearances with the National Symphony, he performed on numerous broadcasts, festivals and other musical events.
He also was an adjunct instructor at American University, George Washington University and Prince George's Community College.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Irene Arsers of Tamarac; two sons, William Arsers Jr. of Seattle and Michael Arsers of Chicago; five brothers; and six grandchildren.
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