Bradley Ulrich, Professor of Trumpet at Western Carolina University and Public Relations Director for the ITG, began his performance tour of Russia at the Gala Concert for the Sixth Annual Romantic Trumpet Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia on October 12, 2008. Ulrich performed Joseph Turrin's "Caprice", the second movement of Eric Ewazen's "Sonata for Trumpet and Piano", "Allemande" from J.S. Bach's Suite number 6 for Unaccompanied Cello (arranged by Ulrich for flugelhorn), and Hoagie Carmichael's "Stardust" arranged by Aaron Todd.

On October 16-17, 2008, Ulrich gave a master class and recital at the Moscow Conservatory.  The master class lasted 2 1/2 hours with the first part giving insight into the American music education system, the International Trumpet Guild, what types of employment are available to players in the United States, and how lessons are typically structured.  Following this discussion, 6-8 students of the legendary Moscow Conservatory Professor of Trumpet, Vadim Novikov, were coached on solo literature.  Topics covered were the use of more soft dynamics in performance and practice, avoiding swelling on long notes, breathing exercises and the importance of good posture, intonation fixes, adding more musical direction to phrases, and the use of vibrato for expression.  Ulrich also discussed the tendency of players to sound alike because of the availability of quality recordings.  He urged the Russian students to try to find their own voice on the instrument instead of imitating the sound of Americans, or other "western" countries.  He offered his observance that there are several schools of players in Russia, those who, to him, sound like Timofei Dokshitzer and others who are beginning to sound more like Europeans or Americans.  Ulrich pointed out that the Russian trumpet school is a beautiful tradition and is filled with great expression, which is found highly desireable by others around the world.  The students at the Moscow Conservatory performed brilliantly in the master class and were very eager to learn.  Vadim Novikov, Professor of Trumpet, is a fantastic teacher and is the Past-President of the Russian Trumpet Guild.

The Recital on October 17th at the Moscow Conservatory featured Ulrich and Vladislav Lavrik, Prinipal Trumpet of the Russian National Orchestra (Moscow).  The majority of the program featured American trumpet music, including works by Turrin, Chance, Ewazen, Carmichael, H.L. Clarke, as well as J.S. Bach,  Rachmaninoff, and Shostakovich.

P. Bradley Ulrich at the Kremlin, Moscow, Russia