Orvieto Musica 2008 and its first ever TrumpetFest ocurred at Orvieto, Italy from June 22 through June 28. This year’s festival participants were the University of Louisville Trumpet Ensemble, under the direction of Michael Tunnell, the Western Carolina Trumpet Ensemble under the direction of Bradley Ulrich, and the University of Kentucky Trumpet Ensemble under the direction of Mark Clodfelter. Nyela Basney is the Artistic Director of the Festival, and Amy Gilreath, Trumpet Faculty with Orvieto Musica and Trumpet Professsor at Illinois State University, is the host and organizer of the TrumpetFest. Italian trumpeter Nello Salza was the featured artist.

Participants in front of city wall

Every day, each individual ensemble rehearsed independently as well as within a large trumpet ensemble made up of all the student participants. Italian language classes, master classes from each member of the faculty, warm-up sessions and concerts also were included in a typical day. One of the rehearsal locations was the Romanesque church of San Rocco, which contains numerous frescoes, including Virgin and Child with Saints by Eusebio da Montefiascone.

The first concert was on Wednesday, June 25 on the balcony of the Piazza di Repubblica. Each of the student ensembles presented a portion of the program. The Faculty Ensemble (with Tunnell, Gilreath, Ulrich and Clodfelter) performed the Fisher Tull Canonical Tilogy, and the large festival ensemble (Orvieto Musica Trumpet Ensemble) played Orvieto Fanfare by Adam Sovkoplas, Galliard Battaglia by Scheidt, and a Gabrieli Canzona.

Nello Salza with John Bryant

On Thursday, June 26, the faculty presented a concert in the Museo Emilio Greco. Michael Tunnell performed his portion of the concert on corno da caccia: Concerto in Eb by Roellig, Drover’s Lament by U of L School of Music faculty member John LaBarbera, and Victimae Paschali Laudes by U of L Alumnus Patrick Harbison. Brad Ulrich performed Georgian Song by Mily Balkiarev, "Allemande" from Bach Cello Suite # 6, and Hoagy Carmichael's Stardust. Mark Clodfelter performed Carnival of Venice by Del Staigers and Sonata by Thorvald Hansen. Amy Gilreath performed Enjoying Life by Ivan Eröd and Slavische Fantasie by Carl Hoehn. The student ensembles performed again on Friday, June 27 at the Piazza Monaldeschi and the faculty ensemble played Handy's St. Louis Blues. The large Orvieto Musica Trumpet Ensemble performed Bugler’s Holiday by Anderson, Shenandoah, arranged by Olcott, and Stars and Striped Forever by Sousa.

The Final Concert was given on Saturday, June 28 at the 14th century Chiesa di Sant’Agostino. The Faculty Ensemble played Bach’s Fugue in g minor “the Little Fugue” and the Orvieto Musica Ensemble performed Fanfare for Four Trumpet Trios by Zdechlik, Ye Banks and Braes O’Bonnie Doon by Grainger, arranged by Ford, and Galliard Battaglia by Scheidt. The Orvieto Musica Ensemble also accompanied Nello Salza and Amy Gilreath on Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Trumpets. Salza then played the Theme from “Fist Full of Dollars” by Morricone and La Leggenda del pianista sull’oceano by Morricone.

Festival Faculty

At the end of the TrumpetFest the Louisville and Western Carolina groups traveled to Rome, where they spent two days visiting the Colliseum, Forum, Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. Their guides for the trip were Amy Gilreath and Nyela Basney. This entire TrumpetFest was a life-changing trip for both students and faculty. Their time in Italy gave them the opportunity to experience first-hand the Italian culture, from its language to art, architecture, food, and, of course, music.

Festival Group Photo

Source: Michael Tunnell