Doc Severinsen and "The Night of a Thousand Trumpets"	December 6, 2001

Doc Severinsen performing with the USM Symphony Orchestra, antiphonal players in the background Photo: John McCann On October 9th, 2001, the University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg, Mississippi) Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Jay Dean, held the largest trumpet concert ever with over 700 trumpeters performing in the Green Coliseum on the campus of USM. The guest artist was Doc Severinsen, famed trumpeter, former leader of the Tonight Show Band and presently Principal Pops Conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra. The concert culminated two days of events including exhibitors from the major instrumental companies and distributors, rehearsals, and master class by Mr. Severinsen. The participants were treated to hearing the rehearsal with Mr. Severinsen and then participating on the concert as members of the world's largest-ever trumpet choir. Mr. Severinsen's master class was well attended by over three hundred participants. During the one-hour session, Mr. Severinsen related numerous anecdotes from his career from his upbringing and training with his father in Oregon to his days on the Tonight Show up till the present. He discussed in length and detail the need for daily practice of trumpet fundamentals, breathing, warming up and down, and taking care physically of one's body through diet and training. He concluded the session by answering questions from those present. The enthusiastic listeners gave Mr. Severinsen a well-deserved standing spontaneous standing ovation, showing their appreciation of Mr. Severinsen's contributions to the world through his music. Doc Severinsen with USM Masters Student Brad Snow Selections on the concert included several pieces arranged for trumpet choir and orchestra including Crown Imperial by William Walton, Send in the Clowns by Stephen Sondheim, and Gypsy Prophet by Bill Murphy. The world premier of Aria Festiva, for Solo Trumpet, Trumpet Choir, and Orchestra written by Luigi Zaninelli for Mr. Severinsen concluded the choirs part of the concert. Mr. Severinsen performed on numerous selections as soloist and conductor, including Rondo Concertino by Claude Smith, Un Bel Di - from Madame Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini, Carnival of Venice arranged by Del Staigers/Fazzi, Ode to Doc arranged by Stephen Reineke, St. Louis Blues arranged by Tommy Newsome, Gershwin arranged by Jeff Tyzik, and the Allegro con fuoco from Symphony No. 4 in F minor by Peter Tchaikovsky. Throughout the concert he switched effortlessly from Bb trumpet to piccolo trumpet, cornet, and flugelhorn. The event was a fitting tribute to the life and career of one of the world's finest trumpeters, as evidenced by over seven hundred trumpeters who came from over 30 states and Europe to perform and interact with Mr. Severinsen. Sources: Sources: David Champouillon & Joel Treybig

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