Mr. Gerbrecht comes from a long line of trumpet players starting with his grandfather on down. His brother is principle trumpet for the Vancouver Symphony and his brother-in-law is a trumpet professor at Ohio State University. After graduating from Warren Easton in 1948 he studied trumpet at Louisiana State University School of Music where he received his Bachelors of Music Education in 1952. He began his teaching career at Catholic High School in Baton Rouge while also playing professionally in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas. He returned to LSU and received his Masters of Music Education in 1956 where he continued his trumpet studies. He played for 20 years with the Baton Rouge Symphony until 1975. He retired from teaching in 1995 after 40 years of outstanding and dedicated work with young students. The High School Bands he taught and directed held a reputation of consistent excellence, especially the Jazz Bands. He continues to play professionally and helps sponsor the Lee J. Fortier Invitational Jazz Band Concert. He and the late Lee J. Fortier (former Band Director at Broadmoor High School and former trumpet player with the Woody Herman Band) started the invitational in 1966 to showcase the achievements of Baton Rouge area High school jazz bands. He is a member of the International Association of Jazz Educators and the International Trumpet Guild.