North American Baroque Trumpet Competition and Conference
The North American Baroque Trumpet Competition and Conference (NABTCC) was held April 11-12, 2022, at the University of Kentucky (UK). The event was sponsored by the Historic Brass Society (HBS), and organized through the HBS Events Committee. Additional sponsors included Maller Brass, Brass for Beginners, The Baroque Trumpet Shop, the UK School of Music, and the Singletary Center for the Arts.
The event began with a master class by Stanley Curtis, President of HBS and assistant professor at Colorado State University. Curtis discussed Girolamo Fantini's 1638 trumpet treatise and how it provides valuable pedagogical information for those learning Baroque natural trumpet. At 11am, Barry Bauguess (trumpet), Paige Whitley-Bauguess (dancer), and Steven Plank (organ), presented a lecture-recital, "Dance and Rhetoric in Baroque Music." They were assisted by trumpeters Elisa Koehler, David Wharton, Stan Curtis, and Jason Dovel.
Lecture-Recital: "Dance and Rhetoric in Baroque Music"
In the afternoon, Jason Dovel presented the master class "The Baroque Trumpet: My Story, Our Story, and Your Story," where he shared his own experiences, and those of the Baroque trumpet program at UK, and how they can be helpful for those wanting to pursue research and performance opportunities in early music.
The opening concert featured the International Baroque Consort (IBC) and the University of Kentucky Baroque Trumpet Ensemble. The members of IBC included Timothy Dzida (trumpet), Marina Sanchez Cabello (cello), Tiffany Vong (harpsichord), and Emily Yocum Black (soprano). (Black is a Kentucky local who was called to substitute in the group one day before the concert, and did so to great acclaim!)
International Baroque Consort
The second day of NABTCC began with the winners of the Call for Papers. Dr. Noa Miller presented “The Baroque Trumpet Apprenticeship Curriculum Structure as Presented Through J.E. Altenburg, Cesare Bendinelli, and Girolamo Fantini’s Treatises,” Wayne Pearcy presented “Methods Used by Musicians Who are Blind to Learn the Natural Trumpet," Dr. Ryan Stransky presented “Using the Baroque Trumpet as a Resource for Pedagogy in the Modern Trumpet Lesson," and Stephen M. Wadsack presented “Analysis of Trumpet Designations in the Scores of Johann Sebastian Bach, and Relevant Considerations for Historically Informed Performers.” The Chair of the Call for Papers was Dr. Sarah Herbert from Western Kentucky University.
Noa Miller presents her research
Following the paper presentations, the International Baroque Consort presented the interactive master class "How to Form a New Ensemble," in which attendees formed ad hoc chamber ensembles.
This was followed by the presentation "Windows into the Past: Trumpet Iconography" by Elisa Koehler.
In the afternoon, eight trumpeters, who were selected as a result of a taped prescreen round, performed in the competition. All competitors played Giovanni Viviani Sonata Prima as well as a second piece of their choosing. Finalists included Michael Brotherton, Paul Cassarly, Neal Grindstaff, Liam Jones, Evan Kirshen, Dillon Parker, Jared Wallis and Victor Yuen. Dr. Schuyler Robinson, emeritus professor at the University of Kentucky, was the collaborative accompanist. Dr. Stanley Curtis served as the Competitions Chair and the judging panel included Steven Plank (Oberlin Conservatory), David Maller (Maller Brass), Elisa Koehler (Winthrop University), David Wharton (University of Wyoming), Barry Bauguess (Baroque Trumpet Shop), and Tim Dzida (IBC).
Winners of the competition included:
First Prize, Jared Wallis (Eastman School of Music)
(New Maller Brass natural trumpet + $1000 from the Historic Brass Society)
Second Prize, Dillon Parker (Peabody Institute)
(New Brass for Beginners natural trumpet + $500 from the Historic Brass Society)
Third Prize, Victor Yuen (University of Kentucky)
($200 from The Baroque Trumpet Shop)
Honorable Mentions were awarded to Michael Brotherton and Paul Cassarly, and the "No Holes Award" went to Paul Cassarly.
Finalists and Judges
Host Jason Dovel with the NABTCC Winners (L-to-R: Dovel, Parker, Wallis, Yuen)
Following the competition, a closing concert featured all of the guest artists and members of the UK Baroque Trumpet Ensemble.
The event was hosted by Jason Dovel, associate professor at the University of Kentucky, along with support from UK teaching assistants Victor Yuen, Austin Stunkard, and Madison Barton.
(Source: Historic Brass Society)