Greg Wing (R) with chapter president Les Paul

Trumpeter and exhibitor Jeff Flanagan

Wing and young colleagues in action

Greg Wing, center, with two of the Smoot Band trumpeters, Les Paul (L) and Ben Wright

The ITG's Appalachian Valley Chapter presented a clinic and concert on January 19th, 2007 featuring ITG member Greg Wing. Greg is professor of trumpet at Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky. He has been lead trumpet for many bands in Las Vegas as well as many road bands, including the Buddy Rich band. Greg is a Conn-Selmer clinician. The clinic and concert were held at the Historic Smoot Theatre in Parkersburg, West Virginia.

The afternoon clinic was attended by 75 trumpet students representing 17 different elementary, junior high and high schools in addition to a large number of educators, and members of the Appalachian Valley Chapter. This chapter has increased its membership to 85 in less than a year.

Professor Wing opened his clinic program performing the Caprice by Joseph Turrin, accompanied by Marie Mallory. Greg utilised the help of a number of young students as he demonstrated the relaxed/open style of playing he emphasizes. Greg's motivational skills with young students are exceptional. This was a most valuable and thrilling event for students and teachers alike. Mr. Wing's abilities as a teacher match his exceptional performance skills.

The evening concert, attended by around 200 students at the theatre, featured Greg performing a group of trumpet features with the Smoot House Big Band with the addition of an improvised solo by one of the clinic's student attendees. The concert concluded with a rousing rendition of a new jump tune "Trumpets Out Front" by Doug Beach where the band's trumpet section was joined by Greg plus trumpet exhibitor Jeff Flanigan of Kerr's Music for extended solos and trading "4s". The band recommends highly the Beach composition as being playable by most competent high school bands. The Smoot Big Band is lead by the theatre's artistic director, Felice Jorgeson.

The chapter is grateful to ITG for providing a grant for this project.

For full contact information for the chapter, please see this earlier ITG News story.