Lubbock, Texas – James Austin, former principal trumpet of the Houston Symphony Orchestra, Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and Houston Chamber Orchestra (1960-1977) visited the campus of Texas Tech University, where Will Strieder serves as the professor of the trumpet. Austin is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where he was featured as a trumpet and cornet soloist on many of the recordings of the Eastman Wind Ensemble under the direction of Frederick Fennell. Serving as a professor of trumpet at the University of Houston Moores School of Music from 1960-2009, many of Austin’s graduates hold positions around the world. Austin’s appearance at Texas Tech University was made possible through funding from the TTU’s Department of Music.

On April 21 and 22nd, he gave instruction sessions to the trumpet studio, graduate brass quintet and a public master class at Texas Tech’s Hemmle Recital Hall. His sessions revolved about the concept of sound and what trumpeters produce from their instruments.  He remarked that musicians should constantly train our brain to send signals to our mind to be relaxed when performing. He stressed that distractions are a performer’s biggest enemy, and that musicians should work diligently and intelligently to be successful.

Source: Asher Glasgow, MME Candidate, TTU School of Music