Stockholm Chamber Brass- “It Doesn’t Get much Better Than This”

written by on

With the support of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music, this ensemble took part in the 1988 International Competition for Brass Quintets in Narbonne, France, where it won first prize. The quintet has played a major role in expanding the modern repertoire of brass quintets. Since its founding, it has commissioned and premiered more than 50 compositions. The ensemble is considered one of the world’s leading brass ensembles and plays at festivals such as the Kissinger Sommer and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, and recently also at the Lower Saxony Music Days. The members give master classes at music academies and…

Studio musicians- Don Thomas, the best……

written by on

Musical employment can take many forms. Some musicians spend their careers in symphony orchestras.  Some make a living performing in theaters in New York and Las Vegas, and some may find employment on the road with big bands. In each case, the thrill and sometimes disappointment is worth all of the hours and day one has spent in practice rooms around the country, and world. One segment of music which seldom is talked about is the working studio musician, and one of the best was Mr. Don Thomas. I have written previously about this trumpet legion but recently I came…

THE 2025-2025 KING’S BRASS AUDITIONS

written by on

“I just received this recent announcement of dates and times of auditions for this amazing ensemble (The King’s Brass), and Mr. Zimmerman has asked me to share this with our readers”, Greetings from The King’s Brass- The group just finished their 2024 Christmas & 2025 January Tours.  From Christmas at Mt. Hermon Conference in California to the Florida Premier of Dan Forrest’s Creation, at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, it was a tour to remember. Please forward the attached 2025 Audition information to musicians who would be interested in joining The King’s Brass for the 2025-2026 Season.  We value…

Nathan Little- In His Own Words

written by on

From time to time, we are impressed with people and/or things that seem more important than the norm. This was the case when I first encountered the musicianship of the son of one of my best friends and college Don Little (Tuba extrordinare, University of North Texas faculty). For a short time, Don and I were members of a very active Faculty Brass Quintet at the University of Northern Iowa. When I first learned of Nathan Little, it was through a casual communication with Don, sharing with me that his son, Nathan, was a Trumpet player. From that point on,…

Jazz Is Alive and Well in Sherman, Texas…

written by on

If you have not spent some time in Sherman, Texas, you have missed an event that you would have remembered for the rest of your life. If you are a Jazz fan and have not experienced the amazing collection of Jazz memorabilia in Sherman, Texas, you are not a true Jazz fan! If you think you know a lot about the history of Jazz, you are delusional! I encourage you to experience a true transformation back to the time of the big bands, tight Jazz combos and the legacy, history and “feel” of America’s only true art form. You need…

Pounding Pain In The Back Of The Brain Continued

written by on

Read first…. Pounding Pain In The Back Of The Brain – Trumpet Blog Today was a very productive day with a specialist responsible for CT scanning my complete circulatory system. While spending three hours on an examination table in my local Dr’s. Office, I gained additional information on why high, loud playing with a trumpet can sometimes create pain in the back of one’s head. The original purpose of my exam today was to determine the cause of a common condition call Peripheral Neuropathy. The outcome of this exam is yet to be determined but the information I came away…

Free Brass Choir Arrangement of “Why Me Lord?”

written by on

This arrangement was done to recognize a true Miracle in our families’ lives. My wife was diagnosed with cancer and our family has struggled for the past year with this shocking news. After undergoing two different sessions of immune therapy, radiation and endless visits with countless physicians, our best hope was for an extended life of this precious Christian. Last week, while again visiting our family doctor, we were told that the cancer in her liver has suddenly disappeared! This arrangement can be downloaded free of charge as a token to the great works of our Lord and Savior, Jesus…

Fast and Simple Relief from Cold Sores, Canker Sores and Sore Throats

written by on

Earlier in my life I was constantly plagues with multiple canker sores which interfered with my trumpet playing. For some reason, they always seem to locate in the most inopportune places on my lip and at the worst times; most often before a concert or solo/ensemble contest. These dastardly villains were treated with everything from alum to hydrogen peroxide. While on tour with my college wind ensemble, our host, who was a dentist, assured me that he could solve my problem by applying silver nitrate on my lip. Not only did that not work, but my host also successfully dribbled…

Inspiration or Complete Humiliation?

written by on

Each day I practice my Clarke Technical Studies and slur up and down on my Advanced Lip Flexibilities exercises. Every day I play my long tones and range exercises. Then… I view a video of the “Good Guys” and I throw up my hands in despair. Yes, in the morning, I will be doing the same practice routine as I have for many, many years; knowing that it can be done even though I will never be able to do it as these “MONSTERS” illustrate. Feel free to leave comments for some will like this, some will not. But all…