Trumpet Ensemble Reading Session
Del Lyren, Director
Thursday, Friday, Saturday 8:00 a.m.

Arthur A. Molitierno
Who awakens at near dawn and then rushes through breakfast and then across town to be ready to sight read along with other numerous enthusiasts? The answer is simple, and for the third year it is the same: trumpet enthusiasts. This year marks the third year the ITG has sponsored a morning session of trumpet ensemble reading, and its marks the third year that Delon Lyren has conducted the sessions.

Lyren, a professor of trumpet at Bemidgi State University, Minnesota, is a very engaging conductor who encourages his performers with a smile and an occasional raised eyebrow. A trumpeter with major credits and a biographer of Rafael Méndez (Magnificent Méndez), Lyren chose works that were available from the exhibitors at the ITG Conference, works he had not seen and so was sight-reading along with the participants.

The session began with an arrangement of Shenandoah in nine parts by ITG president James Olcott. Everyone got into the reading noting how the melody had to come through the various musical textures and had to be balanced throughout the piece. Heralding (1981) by Ronald LoPresti, was composed for thirteen trumpets. The piece proved to be a stimulating warm-up for more challenging playing. Lyren’s comment, “Good. We all stopped together,” was greeted with applause. The next followed with the question, “Do you want to play something hard?” An Overture and a Finale by Ronald LoPresti proved to be just that. Composed for eight parts, the piece challenged the participants with a variety of tempo changes requiring a few restarts. Lyren at one point indicated, “I’ll do my best. Let’s regroup.”

As the group was getting ready to read the last composition, the arranger showed up to conduct the piece himself. Olcott indicated to the morning players that as enthusiasts they make up the majority of ITG membership. ITG devised the reading sessions to bring all players from all levels together to read and perform. Last year in Purchase, New York, some seventy trumpeters participated in performing works that they had read at morning sessions. Olcott’s arrangement of Here’s that Rainy Day proved to be a mellow way to round out a session of reading and playing that had introduced us all to new repertoire. What had not been stretched was anyone’s patience. That was in more than good supply, as was the combined talents of all thirty-five musicians at the first session. Lyren ended with the suggestion that everyone “bring a friend to the next session.” If last year’s sessions are any indication of enthusiasm, there should be standing room only for the final session. With such a warm-hearted and enthusiastic conductor, and eager participants, who wouldn’t want to get up at dawn and be part of such a fun gathering!