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Thursday, June 17 - 11:00 am
Scott Freeby, Reporter Sound the Trumpet – A Tribute to the late Gilbert (Gil) Johnson, was a commemorative remembrance of, as President of ITG Stephen Chenette put it, “Gil the Great – a man with matinee good looks, and a nice guy.”
Citing both Mr. Johnson’s personal life history – including the military service which denied him the ability to play a trumpet for a year, and the list of his numerous professional awards (a two time Grammy Award Winner) and the personal attention given to the details of his student’s lives and their professional goals and accomplishments, David Champouillon delivered a dignified remembrance of his former teacher. Despite numerous microphone problems, I found myself undistracted from the topic at hand. In the panel discussion that followed, friends, family, and students of Johnson shared fond recollections of a man who’s “council and private instruction were in constant demand.” Frank Kaderabek, Principal Trumpet – Retired, of the Philadelphia Orchestra spoke of Gil’s quick wit and fine intelligence. Kaderabek told the story of a 1973 Philadelphia Orchestra rehearsal he attended with Gil in which the orchestra was informed by Eugene Ormandy that the touring Chinese Ping Pong team was given tickets to see a professional baseball game, but had decided instead to “come to hear our concert.” Frank related that Gil stood up almost immediately and quipped, “Can we have their tickets to the baseball game?” Perhaps one of the most memorable quotes of the session came from former student Scott Thornburg of Western Michigan University. He reminisced thoughtfully that Gil had “…an amazing physical affinity for the trumpet, someone who demonstrated simple and practical ways at getting his students to develop technically and musically. He was a musical artist who played the trumpet – a warm musical soul.” |
Trumpet Prelude: Members: Trumpet Ensemble - Emanuel Frazão Program Gilbert Johnson – Gone But Not Forgotten Former students of the late Gilbert Johnson honor their teacher through testimonies, recollections, and performances. Works include a commissioned piece by former student, Bert Truax, entitled "Hymn for Gil." Frank Kaderabek, retired principal trumpet of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and Susan Johnson Tarbe, daughter of Johnson, complete the panel and tribute. Solo trumpet of the Philadelphia Orchestra from 1958-1975, Johnson also taught at the Curtis Institute of Music, Temple University, and the University of Miami. Johnson left a legacy of students that reads like a Who’s Who in trumpet performance and pedagogy. Dr. David Champouillon, East Tennessee State University, Moderator Tuba Mirum Fanfare, from Requiem - G. Verdi/Arr. Olcott |
The tribute’s first live musical selection (the audience was treated to numerous excerpts of the “Philly Style” of trumpet playing made famous by Mr. Johnson) was “Tuba Mirum Fanfare,” from Requiem by G. Verdi/Arr. Olcott - performed by former students of Gil Johnson who themselves comprise a veritable Who’s Who of professional symphony, free-lance, and pedagogical players. The selection was most fitting as it brought forth the feelings of rising anticipation of a noble, fantastic event about to take place. Indeed, just prior to the beginning of this session, I had the privilege of meeting a friend of Gil’s by the name of Alex Wilson. Mr. Wilson was a friend and colleague who spent two years at the Curtis Institute of Music with Mr. Johnson. When asked to supply a memory of his friend, Mr. Wilson commented, “I remember his endurance and the beauty of his playing. He was a genuinely good person.” Another audience member, James Ode – who is here from SMU in Dallas – related hearing Gil Johnson perform in the Philadelphia Orchestra when they were on tour in Rochester, New York. He recalled telling others, “I just heard how the trumpet is supposed to sound.” 