Gary Mortenson, reporter

Donald Gephardt, Dean of the College of Fine and Performing Arts, at Rowan Univeristy welcomed a large and receptive audience to the Opening Concert of the 2006 ITG Conference. Dean Gephardt explained that all of the colleges at Rowan University were recently tasked to come up with “mottos” that helped to define the mission of each unit. The College of Fine and Performing Arts' developed the following statement. “Oh muse…create, illuminate, and inspire.” This week promises to embody this phrase in every possible way. The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets and the Rowan University Trumpet Ensemble opened the 2006 ITG Conference with Dennis Edelbrock's effective arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner. After the Army trumpets left the state, the program continued with “Fast Acting Inhaler” from Instant Gratification, by Robert Bradshaw. This short, brilliant flourish full of technical counterpoint displayed the Rowan ensemble's fine control and technical facility. Charlie Parker's Yardbird Suite, arranged by Rowan trumpet student Nick Fernandez, was a nice adaptation of this classic Parker tune featuring the entire ensemble on tutti sections, individual improvisations, and various combinations that kept all of the members of the group occupied. Well done! With the return of the Army Herald Trumpets, the trumpet ensemble portion of the program concluded with a rousing performance of Strauss' Stadt Wein. The power, control, and rhythmic precision of the combined forces were something to behold.

The concert continued with the Rowan University Wind Ensemble under the direction of John Pastin. The group performed several pieces by themselves on the program including a movement from Symphony No. 2 by Frank Ticheli and Short Ride on a Fast Machine by John Adams. On both of these selections the ensemble displayed power, precision, balance, and musical maturity. This was remarkable considering the fact that the university concluded its spring semester more than a month prior to the conference. Two selections featured the trumpet trio of Rowan faculty Bryan Appleby-Wineberg, George Rabbai, and guest Darin Kelly. The trio performed two contrasting pieces Arlington by Denis DiBlasio (Rowan jazz faculty) and Trumpet Filigree by Harold Walters. The DiBlasio premiere was especially noteworthy in that it featured individual solos from all three trumpets and field drum, and then blended the trumpets with the band in a beautifully introspective fashion that displayed perfect intonation and matched tone qualities. This piece is accessible, effective, and deserves a place on many programs in the advanced high school and university setting. Trumpet Filigree paid homage to the trumpet trios of the early to mid twentieth century. The trio and accompanying ensemble met the technical demands of the piece with ease.

At this point in the concert Appleby-Wineberg welcomed the audience to the 2006 Conference by thanking his administration, colleagues, students, and family for their support in putting together the conference. One can only imagine the work and pressure that go into putting on a conference such as this, and it was entirely appropriate that Bryan thanked his wife and children for their understanding during this last year. It was especially emotional for Bryan to acknowledge that this very evening was his 14th wedding anniversary.

After welcoming remarks from Donald Farish, President of Rowan University, the concert continued with a stunning performance of Rhapsodia by Roberto Sierra featuring soloist James Ackley. This extended work for solo trumpet and winds featured a lively interplay of complex intervallic and rhythmic activity between the soloist and the winds. Ackley displayed fine control over both the technical and the lyrical demands of the piece. Ackley's ability to sustain and control the instrument at the soft end of the dynamic spectrum was wonderful to experience. His accuracy throughout the work was secure in every way.

The last dignitary to speak to the audience was ITG President Jeffrey Piper who officially welcomed the audience on behalf of the organization, and thanked our host and Rowan University for the support that allowed ITG to put on this year's conference.

The program continued with the presentation of the first and second place winners of this year's ITG Composition Contest. This year's competition was for Solo Trumpet with Choir. The second place winner, Yearnings of Prophets by Daniel Thrower, was a three-movement work that displayed great conviction and power in its melodies and phrasing. The ITG Festival Choir directed by Robert Page contained mature voices that blended beautifully together to lay the groundwork for trumpet lines that were masterfully realized by Richard Rulli (the 2006 competition chair). The demanding nature of the trumpet lines in the first and third movements were contrasted with the lyricism and sensitivity of the second.

The first prize composition, Nobody Move by Sam Stalos, was based on an international treatment of the children's game Hide and Seek. The composer provided the following description in his program notes. “Nobody Move is musical dialogue in a theatrical construct…All of the performers, including the trumpet soloist, the keyboardist, the mass choir, and the vocal soloists, converse in musical phrases. Teasing, bickering, and arguments occur between the characters. They mock each other. The trumpet soloist in Nobody Move is both musician and actor.” Certainly all the different components required of this winning composition were masterfully done as the performers fulfilled their various roles with imaginative flair. Rulli was especially effective in his conversational role throughout the work. The multi-media technical presentation visually enhanced the effectiveness of the premiere. Both composers were in attendance to accept the generous applause given by an appreciative audience.

The opening concert came to a rousing conclusion with the return of the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets who, together with the Rowan University Wind Ensemble, presented a spirited rendering of Festive Overture by Shostakovich. The Herald Trumpets were utilized at the beginning and at the end where their great power would have its greatest effect, while the Wind Ensemble met the technical requirements of the middle sections with ease and maturity. This was a memorable performance. John Pastin and Robert Page are to be commended for successfully putting together the groups necessary to pull off the opening performance of the 2006 ITG Conference.