Anthony Plog on Music

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Michael Sachs, Principal Trumpet of the Cleveland Orchestra

Anthony Plog, host
Eddie Ludema, producer
Date posted: Nov 3, 2020

Michael Sachs is the iconic principal trumpet of the Cleveland Orchestra. But he is much more than that. Enjoy this far-ranging conversation, as Michael talks about his experiences playing in the Cleveland Orchestra, working with people such as John Williams, teaching brass students, and much more.

Part 1

Hear Michael talk in depth about auditioning with the Cleveland Orchestra, striving to be (in baseball terms) a five-tool guy, and premiering the John Williams Trumpet Concerto.

Part 2

Michael discusses trumpet lineage, his friend and mentor David Zauder, and his all-time favorite performance with the Cleveland Orchestra.

Bonus Room

Michael explores teaching, learning, and the influence of Tom Stevens. He describes how, when Michael was a young student of mine, I told him in a lesson, “Mike, it’s a trumpet, You blow on it, you don’t suck on it.”

"Cancer Blows is Ryan Anthony's Foundation and something very near and dear to me."

Find all of Michael's books at:

And just for fun, a link to a childhood friend's store that makes wonderful LED clocks:

The podcast theme music, Four Sierra Scenes, written by Anthony Plog, is taken from Crystal Records S205, copyright ©1980 Crystal Records Inc., and is used by permission. Unauthorized duplication is not permitted.