2012 eighth-annual International Trumpet Seminar in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Richard Stoezel, trumpet professor at Grand Valley State University, with the help of Jeff Northman, hosted the eighth annual International Trumpet Seminar from July 21-28 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

This international experience had staff and students from Spain, China, Brazil, Poland, and the United States. The fifty-five students ranged in age from fifteen to fifty-one. The first day began with trumpet ensemble auditions. Based on a prepared two-minute audition piece, students were placed in one of six trumpet ensembles. These ensembles rehearsed for an hour and a half each day, preparing for a performance the following Saturday. Each day’s schedule included a warm-up followed by student choice of study in specialization in jazz, orchestra, solo, or military band. Trumpet ensemble and technique class followed lunch. Master classes, dinner, and a concert concluded the activities each day. Zhonghui Dai and Jose Chafer Mompo both gave master classes and performances in the week.

The evening before the last day of the seminar began with a rehearsal of the fifty-five students in a mass trumpet ensemble. They rehearsed two numbers with Allen Vizzutti for the conclusion of the concert the following day. Vizzutti also played that evening, accompanied by the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra, and he gave a master class the next morning.

The final concert was presented on Saturday, July 28th. The top three winners of the high school and college level solo competition played in the concert, along with a world premier of an E-flat trumpet solo by Jim Stephenson, L’Esprit de la Trompette. Yamaha Corporation and Meyer Music provided the prizes for the solo competition winners including a Yamaha Artist Model and Xeno Model trumpet. All six trumpet ensembles also performed, and the mass trumpet ensemble accompanying Allen Vizzutti brought the concert and the seminar to its conclusion.

 

Source: Jeff Ayres, Jeff Northman

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