Iskander Akhmadullin and the University of Missouri Trumpet Studio welcomed Richard Rulli for a master-class and recital on February 18, 2008.  Both events were held at Whitmore recital hall on the University of Missouri campus and were attended by university students and community members alike.  Students had the opportunity to learn from Rulli in a group setting as well as individually.  Rulli was accompanied by pianist, Linda Beckman.

In his masterclass, Dr. Rulli emphasized the importance of daily maintenance routines in developing consistent ability.  For this, he advocates use of the James Stamp method.  Dr. Rulli had the opportunity to study with longtime Stamp devotee, Malcolm McNab whose insight he shared while carefully leading the class through the first three Stamp exercises.  Rulli encouraged the group to achieve a clean, clear, small buzz on the mouthpiece when practicing Stamp.  Combined with relaxed breathing, this controlled buzz should translate to a rich, resonant sound on the trumpet.  The tendency to blow too hard when buzzing on the mouthpiece, according to Rulli, results in a spread, uncentered buzz and can cause harshness and impurity in one's sound.  Above all, it is most important to remain in the center of each pitch when practicing Stamp.  Dr. Rulli suggested that spending time with these exercises on a regular basis is needed in order to sense their impact on our daily trumpet playing.

Later in the master-class, students were given the opportunity to perform for Dr. Rulli and receive guidance and feedback regarding their playing.  Much of Dr. Rulli's advice for students was geared toward obtaining maximum musical results through attention to detail.  The subject of vibrato surfaced with several students.  Dr. Rulli reminded that the purpose of vibrato is to create warmth and expression in our playing.  If vibrato remains constantly in use, it becomes part of the sound and can become detrimental to the desired musical effect.  Students were shown in several instances how the intensity of vibrato can be varied in order to enhance basic musicality and phrasing.  Dr. Rulli's visit to Mizzou provided students with a positive learning experience and exposure to new concepts and approaches regarding trumpet playing and musicianship.            

Dr. Rulli is the professor of trumpet at the University of Arkansas where he teaches trumpet, brass chamber music, conducts the trumpet ensemble and performs as a founding member of the Boston Mountain Brassworks, the UA faculty brass quintet in residence.  Rulli is the principal trumpet of the North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.  Formerly, he was the principal trumpet of the Air Force Band of the Golden West and First trumpet of the Five Star Brass.  He holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin- Madison (DMA), Ithaca College, New York (MM), and the University of Northern Colorado (BM/BME).