| The 2004 National Trumpet Competition |
May 29, 2004 | ||||||||||
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Day One The opening of the 2004 National Trumpet Competition commenced with registration for all participants. Many of the artist/faculty arrived in advance of the scheduled opening ceremony to prepare music for the opening concert, and to organise the presentation of a brief overview of materials and events planned for the week. The site for this year's opening ceremony was again the Johnson Center Atrium, a large, comfortable location for the massive gathering of competitors and trumpet enthusiasts in attendance. An ensemble composed of the NTC artist/faculty opened the performance with Blazon by Gilbert Vinter, conducted by Leonard Candelaria. NTC Executive Director Dennis Edelbrock then welcomed all participants and guests to the National Trumpet Competition. Richard Cox followed Edelbrock with a brief presentation regarding the great value of the competition. The artist/faculty returned to the stage with performances of Scaling Mount Oread by Carl Johnson (conducted by Christopher Moore), Pachelbel’s Canon (transcribed and conducted by Charles Decker), and Alla Scherzo by James Wisznerowicz (conducted by William Stowman). James Olcott came to the stage to discuss the benefits of membership in the International Trumpet Guild. As a result of the ITG sign-up program during the competition, over 60 new members were added to the ITG membership. NTC Guest Artist Carl Sauders was then called to the stage, where he made a brief presentation regarding performing to your best before playing a wonderful rendition of I Can’t Get Started. John Winkler followed by presenting the general guidelines for the competition, and useful reminders for the competitors. The artist/faculty then returned to the stage to perform the “Fanfare” from Agnon by Igor Stravinsky and Bugler’s Holiday by Leroy Anderson (arranged by David Hickman), both conducted by James Olcott. Douglass Wilson then conducted a great rendition of Down By the Riverside, as arranged by Harvey. Jens Lindemann offered comments on the value of experiencing NTC… in networking, the formation of friendships, and in the opportunities provided to hear great players perform. After final comments by Edelbrock, the artist/faculty closed the competition by performing the Hoffnung Fanfare by Malcolm Arnold, arranged by Olcott and conducted by Moore. The trumpet ensemble auditions concluded the evening, with more than 20 fine groups invited for the competition. The trumpet ensemble adjudicators commented on the high level of performance of the trumpet ensembles through the entire competition. The finals round started at 10:45 pm and ran past midnight. Six ensembles participated in the finals. While that competition ran, master classes by Gary Radtke and Scott D’Earth were offered for interested participants, and the massed trumpet ensemble held their first rehearsal. It was indeed a very busy first day at the National Trumpet Competition. Day Two The second day of the National Trumpet Competition started with semi-final auditions for the high school and middle school divisions. A full day of competition also included opportunities for competitors and guests to hear master classes offered by Richard Cox, Gary Radtke, Betty Scott, Stanley Curtis, Gilbert Hoffer, and others. Guest artist Jens Lindemann presented a master class attended by many, and competitors and guests commented on the presentation with great admiration and enthusiasm. Vendor exhibits opened at noon on the third floor of the Johnson Center, and a large crowd of students, teachers, performers, and parents took the opportunity afforded to see new music, instruments, and accessories on the market. On Friday evening, the NTC Gala concert was held in the Harris Theatre for a standing room only audience. The U.S. Army Brass Quintet opened the program with four works for brass quintet. A highlight of the performance was Teddy at the Throttle, as arranged by Paul Murtha. The work was a compilation of known works and original compositions created to accompany an old silent movie of the same name. The Army Brass quintet performed with great skill and musicianship, and the enthusiastic audience enjoyed their performance. The Army Orchestra followed with Michael Torke’s Bright Blue Day, the orchestra accompanied Jens Lindemann in performance of the American premiere of the Allan Gilliland Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra. Lindemann’s breathtaking performance of the work was an inspiration to all. The composer was called to the stage, with both the performer and composer receiving a standing ovation from the audience. The Army Brass quintet and orchestra performed “Dance to Restore an Eclipsed Moon” from Shadowcatchers by Eric Ewazen. The work was beautifully performed, featuring sections for orchestra, brass quintet, and overlapping segments and exchanges between all musical forces. Following the Ewazen work, the Army Orchestra trumpet section, featuring Terry Bingham, Gilbert Hoffer, Scott Sabo, and Troy McKay performed an exciting rendition of John Head’s The Brave Matador. The spirit and excitement of the Spanish-styled trumpet ensemble was exciting and entertaining to one and all. Edelbrock then returned to the stage to present Col. Tony Cason, conductor of the orchestra, with an award for his many years of support to the NTC through orchestra preparation and soloist support. Following the award presentation, Lindemann and NTC Guest Artist Carl Saunders were featured on a performance of Gershwin’s Someone to Watch Over Me, as arranged by Joseph Turrin. After the orchestra performed Huapango by Moncaya, Mr. Lindemann again returned to the stage for a performance of The Rising Sun by Allen Vizzutti. Lindemann’s phenomenal performance resulted in an enthusiastic standing ovation from the audience. Lindemann responded to the audience by returning to the stage for an encore of Sugar Blues by Clyde McCoy, accompanied by upright bass. All who attended the concert left with a great appreciation for the talents of all the ensembles, soloists, and the music. Day Three
Day three commenced very early with competition in the collegiate, master’s, baroque, and pro-am divisions, and a full schedule of master classes and events. The baroque trumpet competition was a new addition this year. Nearly ten competitors performed in three divisions. Many who attended the various divisions of competition commented on the high level of performance in all divisions. At 12:45, the exhibits and vendors areas held a special event where all registered participants were allowed to enter their names for door prize drawings and free give-aways. A huge crowd attended the event, held in the Atrium of the Johnson Center. At 2:30 pm, Carl Saunders began a wonderful master class, so well attended that there was simply no room left for all who wanted to attend. It is the hope of this author that in the future, the NTC does a better job of securing larger venues for the master classes. There were simply too many people to fit into the small rooms for some of the master class events, and it is sad to see participants turned away from master classes or events due to a lack of space. Throughout the afternoon, many competitors who had finished with their performance took the opportunity to visit the exhibits, try new instruments, look for new works in the music vendor areas, and visit with friends new and old. Times like these are what really makes NTC special, and it seemed that this year’s schedule had very few of these opportunities, unlike years past. While master classes and concert opportunities are important, the chance to meet, network, and visit with friends from the trumpet world is equally important. At 6:00 pm, Carl Saunders and the US Army Jazz Ambassadors performed exciting works from the jazz repertoire. Saunders was featured on several tunes that showcased his lyrical playing. It is rare to hear an instrumentalist with such command of the instrument. With Saunders and Lindemann, NTC participants had several chances to hear great soloists, with great accompaniment, in a great location. During the concert, finalists were announced in the middle school, high school, college, and master’s divisions, and an order was drawn for the finals. The jazz finals competition started later that evening in the Harris Theatre. Each soloist performed two works backed by the rhythm section from the Army Blues. Upon the completion of the competition, the adjudicators led a jam session for interested players and participants. Imagine a jam session led by Carl Saunders and the NTC Jazz Adjudication Panel! Some great music and fun for listeners and those brave enough to perform alike! Day Four The Sunday morning air was filled with the sounds of soloists in finals performances. Due to the number of soloists selected to perform, the morning started early for the middle school finalists. It is difficult to imagine playing at 8:30 am in a finals performance, and the four young men in the middle school division’s final round did an admirable job despite the early hour. The high school division, collegiate division, and master’s division finals rounded a very busy morning. At the conclusion of the last finals round, all of the finalists congregated in the backstage area for the awards presentation. Dennis Edelbrock and J. Fred Powell presented awards for all classes, accompanied in some instances by sponsors of the various division awards. The results for all divisions appear at the conclusion of this article. Following the presentations of the awards, the audience adjourned from the Harris Theatre to the main concert hall for the performance of the massed trumpet ensemble, and to hear the world famous Canadian Brass. The weekend concluded on a truly high note with the performance by one of the finest brass quintets of all time.
The National Trumpet Competition’s 12th annual presentation was without a doubt the largest and most complicated to date. The NTC staff worked hard to insure events were held, artists and master classes were on time and in place, and everyone got to see what they came to see and hear. An event of this size is hard to keep on schedule and to keep running smoothly, and many people worked tirelessly behind the scenes. John Winkler again served as the judge’s chair, and worked throughout the weekend to make the event run smoothly and to run with minimal delay. Karl Sievers worked throughout the year to get judges and artist/faculty for events and concerts. Kathy Winkler served as the accompanist’s chair, and had the daunting task of co-ordinating over 200 soloists and accompanists through rehearsal and performances. Fred Powell worked to make certain all exhibitors had ample facilities for the event, and worked to coordinate the awards presentations. Marvin Haines worked as the director of operations working late into the night. Dennis Edelbrock, who along with his student and adult assistants worked long hours to insure all participants were in the correct location, made rehearsals with the accompanying staff, and assisted artist/faculty with room set-up and performance site set-up. The National Trumpet Competition is fortunate to have so many that care greatly about the program and the participants. The 13th Annual National Trumpet Competition is scheduled for March 17-20, 2005 at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Tape deadline for entry is December 15, 2004. Consult the National Trumpet Competition home page (http://www.nationaltrumpetcomp.org) for the latest information and application procedures. NTC 2004 Winners
Middle School Division 1st Place Miki Sasaki 2nd Place David Kerr Finalists: Colin Delong, Nathaniel Hasterlick
High School Division 1st Place Caleb Hudson 2nd Place Alexander White 3rd Place Matthew Kitzen-Abelson Finalist: Kevin Shannon
College Division 1st Place Adam Bhatia 2nd Place Adam Decker 3rd Place Mark Mashburn 4th Place Lacey Redfield
Masters Division 1st Place Luke MacDonald 2nd Place Paul Lowry 3rd Place Carl Lindquist
Pro Am Division 1st Place Don Johnson 1st Place William Black
Jazz Division 1st Place Jean Caze 2nd Place Matthew Holman 3rd Place Phillip Dizack
Trumpet Ensemble Division 1st Place University of Kentucky 2nd Place University of North Carolina-Greensboro 3rd Place University of Oklahoma 4th Place Tennessee Technical University 5th Place Michigan State University 6th place University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Baroque Division High School (to 18) Don Johnson College (students 18 to 28) Kathryn James Open Age Group (23 and up, non-student) Robert Civiletti
Accompanist Choice Awards Middle School - Stephen Dillard, Anne Lemieux High School - Stephen Limpert, Wes Martin College - Max Hembd, Matthew Pienkowski Masters - Amanda Bekeny, Stephen Marx
About the author: Albert Lilly holds a Bachelor of Music degree from DePauw University, a Master of Music degree from the Jordon Conservatory of Music at Butler University, and recently received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Indiana University School of Music. He currently is Calendar Editor for the ITG Journal, and maintains the calendar of events on the ITG Web Site, positions he has held since 1998. He teaches more than 30 private brass students in the greater Indianapolis area, is Music Caption head and Education Director for the Central States Judges Association, and writes and arranges for more than a dozen marching bands across the nation. He is on the artist faculty for the National Trumpet Competition, and serves on the brass revision committee for the Indiana State School Music Association.
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