Tom Hooten, Principal Trumpet of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, visited the campus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Friday, March 12th, and Sunday March 28th, 2010 (rescheduled due to inclement weather).  Hooten presented a masterclass and worked with students from the studios of UAB trumpet faculty Steve Roberts and Marc Reed.  He also collaborated with Roberts, Reed, Dale Reynolds (piano), and the UAB Blazer Trumpets for a performance featuring works for solo trumpet and trumpet ensemble.  Hooten’s appearance at UAB was made possible through funding from the UAB Department of Music, Jeff Reynolds, Chair. All events took place in the Hulsey Center for Performing Arts.

Hooten interspersed teaching topics throughout his hour-and-a-half masterclass.  Aaron Laney played Otto Kenning’s Intrada.  Hooten suggested that Laney take more time throughout the solo, not hurrying any part of it.  He stated that fine trumpeters have very little air impedance from inhalation, to exhalation.  He demonstrated this concept by moving to the far end of the stage and instructing Laney to occupy a space on the opposite end.  Hooten played long tones and remarked that the sound must have life, in order to be well projected. 

Hooten (r) and Laney (L) playing back and forth

Hooten went on to state that good musicians, especially trumpeters, constantly fine tune all aspects of their basic fundamentals in order to improve on a daily basis.  He told those present that he continually practices soft playing in order to maintain suppleness and balance the heavy playing required in the orchestra.  Then Alex Davis performed the third of Theo Charlier’s Etudes Transcendantes.  In discussing the etude, Hooten spoke of how the breath is the most important factor that determines trumpet sound.  Tommy Bowen performed the first movement of Eric Ewazen’s sonata.  Hooten stated that tension (mental or physical) is the trumpeter’s worst enemy.  He remarked that mental confidence will do more to determine what comes out the bell than will physical state.  Hernandez Stroud played Vassily Brandt’s Concertpiece No. 2.  Hooten used the multiple-tonguing section of the work as a springboard to explain that musicians must learn things carefully and slowly in order to be certain to mentally digest music at faster tempos.  He also explained that clarity of articulation is paramount in technical articulated passages.  Hooten told the story of a colleague who performed a piece slower than written but made the piece sound faster due to his clearly-articulated multiple tonguing. Hooten also pointed out that musicians cannot perform music they cannot comprehend.

Hooten (R) and Stroud in master class

The evening concert began with Roberts, Reed, and Hooten performing Benjamin Britten’s Fanfare for Three Trumpets.  Roberts next played Georges Enescu’s Legend with Reynolds on piano.  Next, Reed took the stage and performed Vincenzo Bellini’s Concerto in Eb on piccolo trumpet.  Hooten followed with Oskar Bohme’s Trumpet Concerto. Following a brief intermission, the UAB Blazer Trumpets took the stage with the guest artist.  First came Movement I of Johann Altenburg’s Concerto using two choirs of trumpets accompanied by Margie Webb on timpani.  Ronald Lo Presti’s Heralding followed, with Hooten playing the solo trumpet part.  The concert concluded with Malcolm Arnold’s A Hoffnung Fanfare that provided an exciting end to a wonderful day of trumpeting at UAB. 
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Source: Dr. Marc Reed, Assistant Professor of Trumpet/Assistant Director of Bands, University of Alabama at Birmingham