Fall 2014 guest artists at the University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky hosted several guest artists for recitals and masterclasses in the Fall 2014 semester.



Dr. Jason Crafton, the Stiletto Brass Quintet, and Dr. Ryan Gardner performed at UK. Crafton, assistant professor of trumpet at Virginia Tech, presented a master class and recital on the 11th.  During the master class, UK students performed solos and excerpts. One of the topics that Crafton discussed was blowing through phrases and making every note count. Collaborating with Richard Master (piano) and David Ball (trombone and euphonium), the performance included Divertimento for Trumpet, Trombone and Piano by Boris Blacher, Exigencies by Kent Holiday, Trio for Trumpet, Trombone, and Piano by T.I. Mainland, Grand Duoby Eric Lyon, and Cousins by H.L. Clarke. On September 15, the Stiletto Brass Quintet, an all-female chamber ensemble presented a performance/clinic in the UK Recital Hall. They presented several musical selections and coached student chamber groups. On September 18, Gardner, assistant professor of trumpet at Oklahoma State University, presented a master class and recital. He later presented a recital with arrangements for trumpet and harp, accompanied by Louisa Woodson. The program included Csondes in trombitaszo harfaval by Mate Hollos, Variations on a Theme from Bellini’s Norma by J.B. Arban, Nuit d’etoiles, Beau soir, Fleur des bles, and La belle au bois dormant by Claude Debussy,Sarabande e Toccata by Nono Rota, Second Suite for Trumpet Unaccompanied by William Presser, and Siete Canciones populares Espanolas by Manuel de Falla.

In October, Dr. Raquel Rodriguez and Rich Illman each were guests at UK. On October 14, Rodriguez, assistant professor of trumpet at Northern Kentucky University, presented a lecture recital on the music of Frank Simon and Herman Bellstedt. Rodriguez performed this recital on cornet. The program included Willow Echoes and Miss Blue Bonnet by Frank Simon, and La Mandolinata and Fantasia No. 1 by Herman Bellstedt. On October 16, Illman, professor of trumpet at Michigan State University, presented a master class for the trumpet studio. The focus of this class was to minimize and eliminate tension in the body. He discussed and modeled different exercises to practice with and without the trumpet.

On November 4, the UK School of Music hosted the third annual BrassFest. The day consisted of a brass quintet competition, master classes, and recitals. The recitals featured the USAF Band of Flight Wright Brass and UK Faculty Brass Quintet. The final guest of the semester was Stephen Campbell, principal trumpet of the Lexington Philharmonic, who presented a master class on November 13. Campbell offered advice about professional audition processes, tips, etiquette, and ended with a question and answer session. Later that day, several students took private lessons with him.

Source: Steve Siegel, doctoral teaching assistant, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky

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