Over 300 trumpet performers, teachers, exhibitors and students gathered on the campus of the Xing Hai Conservatory of Music in Guangzhou, China from May 14- 18, 2008 to participate in this third annual trumpet conference.  Sponsored by the China Trumpet Guild, this event included the premier of a major trumpet competition featuring competitors from several Asian countries. 

At the opening ceremonies, participants where greeted by several officials from the Xing Hai Conservatory, CTG President and ITG Board Member Zhonghui Dai, and finally by ITG President Bill Pfund.  In his address, Pfund encouraged the participants to take advantage of the many opportunities the conference provided to meet new people and cross cultural boundaries.

Artists at the event included Zhonghui Dai (China), William Pfund (USA), Bai Lin (China),  Zhu Yaozhou, (China), Steven Leisring (USA), Joseph Bowman (Thailand), Brian Evans (Australia), Gene Aitken (USA) Vincent DiMartino (USA), Chen Rui (China), and Rebecca Wilt (USA).

Master Class sessions were held by all of the artists in attendance, and provided student participants with an opportunity to perform and receive feedback.  Of particular note was ITG Secretary Brian Evan’s presentation on the role of trumpet in Opera, featuring sound files from operas recorded at the world famous Sydney Opera House. 

Each evening featured a recital by artists, including Zhonghui Dai, Steve Leisring, and Vince DiMartino.  The concerts were extremely well attended, and the enthusiastic audiences gave all the performers tremendous ovations. 

The First Asian Pacific Trumpet Competition

This year’s conference featured an added delight, as students from China, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea gathered to compete in the First Asian Pacific Trumpet Competition. There were two divisions, a national division for Chinese trumpeters, and an International Division, open to any performer.  The first competition of its kind in Asia, this event showcased the talents of those trumpet players, performing on high level repertoire.  In the semi-final round of the International Competition, 25 competitors performed the required work - Francaix’s Sonatine and a work selected from a limited list.  Thirteen talented students advanced to the final round of the competition, held on May 17th, and performed Bohme’s Concerto in f minor.
Judges for the final round of the international competition included Bill Pfund, Steve Leisring, Brian Evans, Joseph Bowman, and Zhonghui Dai. The winner of the National Division was Xu  Yu-Xiang from the XiangHai Conservatory in Guangzhou, China. Winner of the International Division was Ho Zhong-Mo from the National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei, Taiwan.  The winners of the competition received cash awards and a trumpet, donated by local music stores.

Pictures from Left to Right:

Huang Mao-Lin, Vince DiMartino, Brian Evans, Zhu Yao-Zou, Bai Lin, Xu Lin, Bill Pfund, last is not known

Brian Evans and Zhonghui Dai

Source - Joseph Bowman