| New trumpet sonata to be performed in all 50 US States and more: offers opportunities to be involved. | July
27 , 2003  |
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Composer and trumpet player Robert Bradshaw announces his 50 States Premiere Project: a performance, in each of the 50 US states, plus several countries outside the US, of his Sonata for Trumpet and Strings, during November 2003. The list (on the publisher's website) of those already signed up to the project makes impressive reading and contains many names well-known to ITG members. Contact information for those wishing to know more or be involved will be found at the end of the article. Here Bradshaw describes the project: "In January 2003, nearly a decade after first being asked to compose a work for trumpet, I began to revisit the idea of writing for my own instrument. No small part of this energy came from a recent opportunity to teach trumpet students at Gordon College. I called four friends and enlisted their help in writing a grant to fund the composition. All was moving along smoothly until I found out there was a requirement, not published in the guidelines, that disqualified my project. At this point I had spent a great deal of time composing - as inspiration does not wait for grants - without securing any compensation. What was I to do? I was determined not to let the project collapse and decided to attempt something truly unique. I would introduce the composition to the trumpet community by premiering it in all fifty states. My first emails were to two of my trumpet teachers, Dr. Amstutz in South Carolina and Gary Ross in New Jersey. I explained my situation and both were on board immediately. This gave me the courage to start contacting people I didn't know. I have spent countless hours researching trumpet players on University web sites and writing letters. This search reached a highpoint when I had the opportunity to attend the International Trumpet Guild Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. I spent each day seeking out people I had contacted through email and introduced myself. It turned out to be more fun and interesting than I could have imagined. At this point, the consortium of players had grown to thirty-three performers and was growing day by day. Additionally, Professor James Ackley (UCONN) had begun preparations to record Sonata and three other trumpeters were also considering recording different versions of the work. It was at this moment that I received an email from Keith Thompson, soloist with the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra. Mr. Thompson had approached Director Lane, and consequently Maestro Lunde, about premiering Sonata with the Orchestra. With an extremely short amount of time to make the decision, I worked furiously to submit a copy of the score for consideration. The Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra, Wisconsin, will be joining the consortium and premiering Sonata on November 16, 2003. The consortium is continuing to grow. We are all looking forward to the very good possibility that Sonata will be premiered in all fifty states, Canada, England and Italy in November, 2003." Robert Bradshaw biography Robert J. Bradshaw is a freelance composer, Composer in Residence with the Northshore Youth Symphony Orchestra and Trumpet Instructor at Gordon College in Wenham, MA. The regular recipient of commissions and grants, his library includes compositions for orchestra, wind ensemble, chorus, opera, ballet and chamber ensembles. These works are available through Beauport Press Music Publications, www.beauportpress.com. Bradshaw attended the University of South Carolina where he earned degrees in Composition (M.M.), Theory/Composition (B.M.) and a Performance Certificate in Trumpet. Bradshaw is a member of the American Composers Forum, Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), Society of Composers Inc., National Association of Composers (NAUSA), American Music Center and is listed by Meet the Composer. Recent awards include: commissions from the Massachusetts Chapter of the American String Teachers Association with the National School Orchestra Association, Cape Ann Symphony and Peabody Essex Museum; recognition of the brass quintet Beauport Flourish by the American Composers Forum; and an American Music Center Grant Recipient. Bradshaw resides in Gloucester, Massachusetts with his wife, Lori, and their children, Reid and Sarah. Sonata notes (from the score)
"In addition to a constant pursuit of self-expression through the creation of new music, I have spent over 20 years of my life studying the trumpet. Admittedly, the road has been bumpy at times. But through it all, one thing has never let me put it down - a deep love for the instrument and its literature. From these works, I have gained great joy during countless hours of practice and performance. It is also this music which has directly inspired Sonata. Originally asked to compose a piece for the trumpet by Dr. A. Keith Amstutz at the University of South Carolina, I was worried that my study would unwittingly surface in the creation of this large work for the instrument. Over the years, I have focused my attention on writing music for Orchestra, Chorus and other large ensembles as well as many solo and small ensembles. In the end, not only did I realize that this worry was unfounded, I decided to embrace the music of my study and let it inspire this sonata. And what a flood of inspiration it was! At every turn I let the rhythms and harmonies that had so fascinated me while practicing resurface within the parameters and pitch set I had defined for the creation of this piece. Although the work as a whole is uniquely my creation, I pay constant tribute to the composers of music I have spent so much time with these many years. So, in all sincerity, thank you. Thank you, to the composers who
inspired me to write Sonata and thank you, to you the performers.
It is my hope that you will find some of that same joy playing Sonata." Bradshaw "would love to generate additional interest in the
trumpet community to ensure we achieve performances in every state
(and in other countries)." Those interested in participating
are invited to contact him directly at mail@robertjbradshaw.com
or to have a look at the websites listed below, which give more
information on Bradshaw and chart the progress of this project.
Websites: Related ITG News story:
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