One of the worst decisions of my life was the day I chose not to pursue my brass playing in college. I dabbled for four years when opportunities arose. Even after college, I bought a cornet and “borrowed” my brother’s trombone until his daughter decided she wanted to play trombone. The lip has gone out of shape and it will take some work to get it back, but I fear my French horn days are over. With some work, I may be able to play the cornet I still own.
I tell you this because earlier this week, I attended a concert that blew my socks off. The church for which I work was approached to be host to the Luther College Trumpet Studio on tour. The facility was a bit small to accommodate the group, especially when you added The University of Iowa Trumpet Studio to the mix. I did attend the concert at an alternate site to which they applied.
Of the 50 trumpet students between the two ensembles, only 6 of them were graduate students. Yet these 18 to 22 year-olds played as though they were professionals with many years of experience. They presented a program that included several modern compositions and even a van Suppe warhorse. I wish you could have been there to hear it. Dr. Michael Gause of the University and Dr. John Cord of Luther pulled together two studios in a cooperative effort and with enough talent to enthrall even the most brazen of us who have fallen off the wagon. Thank you, gentlemen, for the work you do with our young men and women!
Part of the reason for this column is to have you put March 19 to March 22 on your calendars for the National Trumpet Competition. The University of Iowa is this year’s host institution. Young people are working right now to prepare audition materials to be chosen to come to the competition. Dr. Gause indicated that there would be opportunities to hear much trumpet music during the competition. A look at the website indicated that many professional players have come to serve as inspiration for their younger counterparts.
Even though I have not really played in 40 years, I remember my fingerings and slide positions to help other young players learn how to get through the music we have asked them to play. Some of them have looked at me like I was a crazy man. Some of them have gone back to their teachers only to find out I knew about what I was talking. Folks, once a band teacher (and I was briefly), always a band teacher. I wish I was as certain about the winds as I am about the brass. In that, I was not as successful.
How long these will remain in my memory is difficult to say. For now, I am happy that it is still there.
Richard Tiegs writes periodically for the Press-Citizen music column.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Confessions of a former brass player | Music Column
Reporting by Richard Tiegs / Iowa City Press-Citizen
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
