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Phi Beta Welcomes Two New Honorary Members!
On August 5, 2025, Phi Beta members Elaine Eckstein, Bill Richardson, Jessica Schollenberger, and Elin Torvik initiated Phi Beta’s two newest Honorary Members, Dr. Cathy Leach and Doc Severinsen. Sponsored by Pi Epsilon Alpha, these are the first Honorary Members sponsored by the fraternity’s online chapter.
Dr. Cathy Leach recently retired as Professor of Trumpet at the University of Tennessee, where she taught for 39 years. At the university, she received the 2004 School of Music Leadership Award, the 2006 Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Teaching, the 2007 James R. and Nell W. Cunningham Outstanding Teaching Award, and Faculty Development Awards in 1995 and 2009. Dr. Leach was a Sandra J. Powell Endowed Professor, 2014-2016.
Cathy played principal trumpet with the Knoxville Symphony and Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestras for 31 years, and has performed with the Toledo (OH) Symphony, the New Mexico Symphony, the Orchestra of Santa Fe, and the Orquesta sinfonica del Estado de Mexico. She was principal trumpet with the UT Faculty Brass Quintet, and is a former member of Stiletto Brass Quintet, the New Mexico Brass Quintet, the Galliard Brass Ensemble, and Monarch Brass, with whom she has toured and recorded. Cathy appears on recordings on the Musical Heritage and Opus One labels.
Dr. Leach’s students perform professionally in orchestras and military bands, and also teach in universities and public schools all across the United States. Dr. Leach is a former president of the International Trumpet Guild, for whom she often served as Board Member, committee chair, performing artist, and competitions judge. In 2005, Dr. Leach founded the local chapter of ITG, the Smokey Mountain Trumpet Guild, to help promote communication among the outstanding trumpet players in the East Tennessee area. Under her direction, the University of Tennessee Trumpet Ensemble performed at International Trumpet Guild Conferences in 1990, 1992, 1999, 2006, 2012, 2015, and 2017, often premiering pieces she commissioned or arranged.
“Heeeeere’s Johnny!” That lead-in, followed by a big band trumpet blast, was the landmark of late-night television for three decades. The ‘Johnny’ was Johnny Carson, the announcer was Ed McMahon, and the dynamic bandleader was Doc Severinsen. Beginning in October 1962, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson ruled the night air for thirty years. On May 22, 1992, it came to an end…
Within a week of the final telecast, Doc Severinsen and His Big Band were on the road, and to this day, audiences across America love and respect Doc and his big band, not just because he shared their living room with them for so many years, but because of Doc’s love of the Big Band repertoire. His musicianship keeps this iconic American music fresh to this day. Their repertoire includes Ellington and Basie standards, pop, jazz, ballads, big band classics, and, of course, The Tonight Show theme. To this day, Severinsen still shows remarkable commitment to the practice studio and the refinement of his craft.
A Grammy award winner, Doc made more than 30 albums–from big band to jazz-fusion to classical. Two critically acclaimed Telarc CDs with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra showcased his multifaceted talents from Bach to ballads. The Very Best of Doc Severinsen reprises fifteen of Doc’s signature pieces. His other recordings include Unforgettably Doc with the Cincinnati Pops on Telarc, and the Grammy-nominated Once More With Feeling on Amherst. He received a Grammy Award for “Best Jazz instrumental Performance – Big Band” for his recording of Doc Severinsen and The Tonight Show Band – Volume I.
In 2006, Doc moved to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, ostensibly to retire from performance. Within weeks, he was jamming with the magnificent guitarist Gil Gutierrez. The resulting quintet, The San Miguel Five, performed a mix of Latin and Gypsy jazz and standards, to exceptional acclaim.
Severinsen’s accomplishments began in his hometown of Arlington, Oregon, population: 600. Carl H. Severinsen was born on July 7th, 1927, and was nicknamed “Little Doc” after his father, dentist Dr. Carl Severinsen. Little Doc had originally wanted to play the trombone, but Doc Sr., a gifted amateur violinist, urged him to follow in his father’s footsteps. Jr. insisted on the trombone, which turned out to be unavailable in tiny Arlington’s music store, so a trumpet was purchased. A week later, with the help of his father and a manual of instructions, the seven-year-old was so good that he was invited to join the high school band. At the age of twelve, Little Doc won the Music Educator’s National Contest and, while still in high school, was hired to go on the road with the famous Ted Fio Rito Orchestra. However, his stay with the group was cut short by the draft. He served in the Army during World War II and, following his discharge, landed a spot with the Charlie Barnett Band. When this band broke up, Severinsen toured with Tommy Dorsey, then later with the Benny Goodman bands in the late 40’s.
After his days with Barnett, Dorsey, and Goodman, Doc arrived in New York City in 1949 to become a staff musician for NBC. After years of playing with NBC’s many studio bands, Doc was invited to play a gig in the highly respected Tonight Show Band. The band leader at the time, Skitch Henderson, asked him to join that group in 1962 in the lead trumpet chair. Five years later, Doc became the Music Director for The Tonight Show, and the rest is history. His loyalty to Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon never faltered, and the warm camaraderie between the three was an enormous part of the show’s success. When Johnny decided to retire from The Tonight Show, Doc and Ed said their goodbyes as well. Of course, free from the nightly grind of the TV studio, Doc Severinsen had far more time to expand his musical horizons and continued to keep an extensive touring schedule.
In addition to his San Miguel 5 appearances, Doc toured regularly with his own Big Band and continued to perform with symphony orchestras all over the country for decades. Over the years has served as Principal Pops Conductor with the Phoenix Symphony, the Milwaukee Symphony, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Colorado Symphony, the Pacific Symphony, and the Buffalo Philharmonic.
Today, Doc has not lost his flair for outrageous fashion statements or his trademark wit. His gregarious nature has never interfered with the fact that he is one of the greatest trumpeters and musicians of the last 70+ years, respected in the worlds of classical music, jazz, big band, and now even world music.
Simply put, these two amazing artists are models of successful creative careers performing and teaching music, and we are pleased to honor Dr. Cathy Leach and Doc Severinsen. “Your careers and character have demonstrated outstanding talent and service as inspiration and encouragement to all. Your work has expanded the artistic horizon of all who seek a richer life, and we choose to honor you because you embody Phi Beta’s ideals. Today, it is our pleasure to include you in the legacy of the oldest national multi-disciplinary fraternity for the creative and performing arts,” President Jessica Schollenberger stated in the awards ceremony.
Phi Beta is proud to welcome our two newest Honorary Members, Dr. Cathy Leach and Doc Severinsen!
