Former LA Phil Cellist Stephen Custer has Died, Aged 81

Custer played with the LA Philharmonic for almost 40 years and appeared in more than 5,000 concerts 

Born in 1943 in Massachusetts, Stephen Humphrey Custer studied cello at the All Newton Music School. In high school, he was a member of the Greater Boston Youth Symphony, where he won a competition to play solo with conductor Arthur Fiedler.

In 1965, he earned his undergraduate degree from The Juilliard School studying with Leonard Rose, plus completed his graduate studies at Ohio University and a doctorate from the Catholic University of America. 

Following his time as a member of the Air Force Strolling Strings in Washington, D.C., he secured the position of Principal Cellist of the Syracuse Symphony in New York.

In 1974, he won a competitive audition for Zubin Mehta and joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where he stayed until 2010. With the LA Phil, he played in more than 5,000 concerts including world tours with artists such as Leonard Bernstein, John Williams, Yo-Yo Ma, The Three Tenors, Gustavo Dudamel, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Carlo Maria Giulini, and more.

As an educator, Custer taught private students and served as an adjunct music professor at Moorpark College and Pepperdine University. After retiring, he continued to perform — serving as principal cello with the Northern Neck Orchestra and playing with the Richmond Symphony and Virginia Opera. 

Our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.