Festival photo gallery

The Bangkok Trumpet Festival was held on the campus of the MIFA International Academy of Music in Bangkok, Thailand on March 15-17, 2004. This event was organized by Bangkok trumpet player Lertkait Chongjirajitra with featured artist Edmund Cord, distinguished Professor of Music at Indiana University, USA. The three-day festival gave students and professionals alike an opportunity to receive Professor Cord’s insights into trumpet playing, in a unique and personal setting.

Day One

The opening ceremonies of the festival featured several local Bangkok trumpet players, and Professor Cord, performing Festival Fanfare composed by Thai composer Dr. Dhamabutra, Fanfare from La Peri by Dukas, and Eric Ewazen’s Prelude and Fugue. The performance was warmly received by the audience. Following the ceremonies, Cord conducted a warm-up session for the participants. During the session, he suggested that the students concern themselves most with wind and air, and think of a continuous sound that changes pitch.

After a break, Cord conducted a master class featuring many prominent Bangkok professional trumpeters. Thanu Raksaraj, member of the Thai National Symphony Orchestra, performed the Ballerina’s Dance from Petrouchka by Stravinsky, and the opening of Mahler’s Symphony No. 5. Suggestions made included comments on breathing without pausing between inhalation and exhalation, hear the work in your mind’s ear before performing, for tempo, and to have a thorough knowledge of the score. Lertkiat Chongjirajitra followed, performing the first two movements of Concerto in E by Hummel.

Day Two

The second day began with a trumpet yoga class, conducted by Cord. The students were asked to focus on posture, and breathing with “true” relaxation. The exercises were done both standing and sitting, because, as Cord explained “this type of breathing is at the heart of learning to play correctly.” A warm-up session followed, in which the 3 T’s were emphasized by Cord; playing with good Tone, in Tune, and on Time. Hearing the notes before you play them was a concept that Cord continued to discuss in the session.

Cord next conducted a chamber music coaching session, featuring a local brass quintet and septet. Members of the ensemble were asked to listen to the other group members for rhythm, intonation, and articulation, to the point where the group is matching these aspects. Following the coaching, Cord conducted a master class aimed at the younger members of the audience. The session focus was air-based, featuring discussions about breathing, the air stream, and sound and wind. Blowing through notes as a concept was also discussed.

The evening ended with a recital featuring Lertkiat Chongjirajitra and Dr. James Sherry, professor of music at Mahidol University in Bangkok. The program included several solo sections and duets including Fanfare for the New Theater by Stravinsky and Horovitz’s Concertino Classico.

Day Three

The warm-up session on day three featured discussion about the focus of the trumpet sound. Cord suggested that students use vibrato to find the center of the sound. This session was followed by another master class session, low brass coaching, and trumpet section coaching, featuring students from Silpakorn University.

A trumpet ensemble recital followed, featuring several groups from Mahidol University. Included in the concert was a group of students that just returned from competing in the National Trumpet Competition, in Washington DC. The recital included works by Jacobs, Scheidt, Palestrina, Mendelssohn, Byrd, Vizzutti, and His Highness the King, Bhumibol. The recital was well received by the conference attendees.

The finale concert of the festival featured Professor Cord and several participants. The performance began with a Fanfare written by Dr. Dhumabutra. Cord followed, performing Concertino by Otto Nicolai and Intrada by Otto Ketting. Lertkiat Chongjirajitra then performed a few songs, including Schubert’s Ave Maria and Someone to watch over me by George/Ira Gershwin. Cord and Chongjirajitra were joined by James Sherry for Fanfare for St. Edmundsbury by Britten and Bugler’s Holiday by Leroy Anderson. The great variety of the program and the enthusiasm of the audience were evident in the standing ovation that followed. The three-day event was an enriching experience for those who attended, and all came away with a wealth of new knowledge about their instrument.