Chronological Timeline of Musical Career
1947 Born July 18, 1947
1955 At age 8 began studies on the viola with father, Victor de Veritch.
1956-1960 Continued viola studies with Vera Barstow and Sanford Schonbach while receiving numerous prizes for performance excellence.
1961 At age 13, made first of many solo appearances with Los Angeles Philharmonic and became the youngest student, ever, of William Primrose. This was the beginning of a very close personal and professional relationship that lasted until Primrose’s death, 21 years later.
1962-1965 Served as Principal Violist of the American Youth Symphony and Young Musicians Foundation “Debut” Orchestra.
1962 Principal Violist and Soloist at Music Academy of the West under Maurice Abravanel.
1963 At age 15, substituted for William Primrose in chamber music performances with Heifetz and Piatigorsky.
1963-1964 Youngest member of the Aspen Festival Orchestra.
1964 First violist to ever win the prestigious Friday Morning Music Competition in Washington, D.C.
1964 Presented by Columbia Artists Management and Los Angeles Community Concerts in two professional solo debut recitals at the famed Shrine Auditorium.
Summer, 1965 Became first and only violist to study with Ivan Galamian at Meadowmount School. This summer featured the first of many chamber music collaborations with such artists as Perlman, Zukerman, Buswell, and Luca.
1965-1966 Attended Indiana University as a freshman while serving as the teaching assistant to William Primrose.
Summer 1966 Guest artist at June Music Festival (Albequerque, NM) with Josef Gingold, George Miquelle, and Ralph Berkowitz.
1966-1970 Served military duty as founder and member of the White House String Quartet for Presidents Johnson and Nixon (quartet originally formed at Indiana University), while continuing concert career as soloist and chamber musician, including solo appearances and broadcasts with Philadelphia Orchestra and Washington National Symphony.
1970-1979 Principal and Co-principal violist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic for Maestros Mehta and Giulini. Over these years performed many times as soloist with the orchestra around the world and played principal viola under almost every symphonic conductor in every major concert hall in the United States and Europe.
1981 Guest Principal violist – New York Philharmonic.
1980-1996 One of the most active recording musicians in Hollywood, having performed on over 600 motion picture soundtracks and television productions, and recorded for almost every major record label.
1990-1994 Served 4 year term as National President of the American Viola Society.
1991 Professional conducting debut with San Luis Obispo Symphony.
1991-1994 Music Director – Idyllwild String Ensemble
1991-1994 Guest Conductor – R.D. Colburn School of Performing Arts.
1991-1995 Created an annual summer camp exclusively for violists of all ages.
1994-2012 Professor of Music, Indiana University, Bloomington…the same professorship position he assisted when held by William Primrose in 1965.
1995 Co-hosted the XXIII International Viola Congress at Indiana University.
1995 Received Outstanding Achievement Award from the American Viola Society for his many contributions to the society and to the “legacy of the viola.”
1996-1998 Served as member of Symphonic Conducting Staff at Indiana University.
1997-1998 Served as Chairman of the String Department, Indiana University.
1999 Was presented the Maurice Riley Award at the XXVII International Viola Congress, Guelph, Canada for his many contributions as a viola performer and teacher.