Trumpet Ensemble Reading Session
Del Lyren, Host
Friday, May 26, 8:00
Michael Caldwell, Reviewer

In the second year of the trumpet ensemble reading session, host and director Del Lyren was elated over a turnout of 84 players, a 400% increase over the first year. The session was originally created to provide an opportunity for attendees that are not performing as part of the conference programming to participate in a performance activity and to build camaraderie. The fact the attendance was excellent for a session held at 8:00 a.m. demonstrated the enthusiasm and excitement over this relatively new event.  Due to the large number of people that participated, groups of 25-30 alternated in a team approach, allowing every person to play several times. The session was highlighted by readings of Gordon Jacob's The Canterbury Flourish for eight trumpets; Jimmy Van Heusen's Here's That Rainy Day, arranged for eight trumpets by ITG President Jim Olcott; Leroy Anderson's Bugler's Holiday, arranged for 12 trumpets by David Hickman; and Malcolm Arnold's A Hoffnung Fanfare,  arranged for 12 trumpets by Olcott. Lyren was joined during the session by Olcott, who came by to share in the excitement. To the approval of everyone in attendance, Olcott played with the ensemble on several numbers and conducted the reading of the Arnold fanfare. The success of the session was captured by the smiles across the room and the increase of accessibility for all participants at ITG conferences. (Michael Caldwell, Editor, ITG Journal)