University of Kentucky Summer Trumpet Institute
The University of Kentucky (UK) hosted the inaugural Summer Trumpet Institute (STI) June 12-15, 2017, in Lexington, KY.
Fifty participants from around the United States attended this four-day residential camp. The event was hosted and directed by Jason Dovel, assistant professor of trumpet at UK. Nearly all camp activities were held in Holmes Hall, UK's arts living-learning facility that contains practice rooms, performance studios, classrooms, and dormitories. This new facility opened in Fall 2016 and UKSTI was the first camp held in the new spaces.
The institute faculty included Charlie Geyer (Rice University),Vince DiMartino (Centre College, emeritus), Gabriel DiMartino (East Carolina University), Jason Dovel (UK), Ryan Gardner (Oklahoma State University), Oscar Passley (Eastfield College), Raquel Rodriquez (Tennessee Tech University), and Brian Walker (Tarleton State University).
Raquel Rodriquez leads a morning warm-up class
The institute consisted of daily warm-up classes, topical master classes, and recitals by faculty members. In addition, campers could choose from specialized classes in solo performance, jazz improvisation, and Baroque (natural) trumpet. Daily performance opportunities included trumpet ensemble rehearsals and the option for campers to perform during master classes. Major concerts included a joint recital by Geyer and Dovel on Tuesday, a jazz night featuring Vince DiMartino, Oscar Passley, Gabriel DiMartino, and the UK faculty jazz trio led by Raleigh Dailey on Tuesday, a gala recital on Wednesday featuring each of the faculty members, and a closing concert on Thursday featuring trumpet ensembles made up of camp participants.
Charlie Geyer and Jason Dovel perform Vivaldi's Concerto for Two Trumpets
After the closing concert, around half of the campers made their way to Whitaker Ballpark, home of the Lexington Legends minor league baseball team, where Vince DiMartino threw out the opening pitch and the massed camp trumpet ensemble played the national anthem.
Oscar Passley, Gabriel DiMartino, Vince DiMartino, and the UK Faculty Jazz Trio
UK Summer Trumpet Institute participants and faculty
Source: Steven Siegel, Teaching Assistant, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Photo Credit: Taylor Gustad, Teaching Assistant, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY