My Two Worst Performances

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  Trumpet players seldom admit to failure mainly because of their inflated egos. It truly takes a big man to actually admit to an occasional faux pas on their instrument. So to lighten my soul and get it out in the open, I will share with the world my two worst performances in hopes that other such suffers can emerge from their own closet and admit their shortcomings. Worst Performance #1 While teaching at the University of Northern Iowa, the faculty was expected, from time to time, to perform a solo recital. Early in my tenure there I agreed to…

Benefits of “Comeback Players”

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Definition of the term “Comeback Player”; A return by a well-known person, especially an entertainer or sports player, to the activity in which they have formerly been successful. We are all aware of the application of the term “comeback player” when speaking of sports, but are you also aware that this term applies to musicians also? Comeback players in music represent former musicians who for whatever reason chose or are forced to leave their instrument for an extended period of time. Eventually the draw is strong enough for the musician to reopen his/her instrument case and begin the slow and…

Shocking Discovery While Playing Pedal Tones!

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Many of us have dabbled with Pedal Tones during our stint as trumpet players so this post may be an eye opener for many of you. It was for me when I discovered this anomaly. During a return to Claude Gordon’s wonderful collection of trumpet lessons, Systematic Approach to Daily Practice”, I came across a shocking realization; the notes I thought I was playing were in fact one full octave above where I should have been playing. To fully explain how this came about, let me start from the beginning. When practicing notes which include pitches above our normal range,…

Changes Have Now Been Made to the University Interscholastic League Solo and Ensemble Submission Policy!

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As some of you may know, I have been very vocal when speaking of the Texas University Interscholastic League Solo and Ensemble Submission Policy. For more background on this subject read… http://www.thetrumpetblog.com/the-university-interscholastic-league-solo-and-ensemble-music/ also… http://www.thetrumpetblog.com/new-additions-to-uil-prescribed-solo-ensemble-music-list-for-grade-2-trumpet-quartet-numbers/ Eventually I received this response… http://www.thetrumpetblog.com/an-encouraging-response-from-the-university-interscholastic-league-solo-and-ensemble-music-department/ Today I checked their site and was very pleased to find that Mr. Musella is a man of his word for now composers and arrangers are able to submit their work for consideration to be added to the current listings of qualified solo ensemble material for contest. This is a very big change and I would like to thank the…

3 Reasons Why the “Selected Studies” book by H. Voxman Is Killing Your Band Programs

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Diminishing interest in instrumental music programs has been attributed to many reasons including financial cut backs, the rise of computer programs and gaming diversions, student’s current lack of good practice habits, competing athletic programs, etc. And all of these distractions can have an influence on the current trend of failing band programs. But recently I came to another realization which may be another reason for our failing band programs and that is why I am at my computer keyboard and not in bed sleeping. Reason #1. Selected Studies is not relevant to our students. This collection was printed in 1953.…

An Encouraging Response from The University Interscholastic League Solo and Ensemble Music Department

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Shortly after my first post explaining the difficulty in submitting arrangements for approval and eventual inclusion into the UIL Solo Ensemble List of accepted material, I received this communication from Mr. Gabe Musella which I have included below… Good morning, Dr. Chidester! My name is Gabe Musella and I am the newly hired UIL Assistant Music Director. One of my main responsibilities is to develop and execute a timeline to review and update the instrumental and vocal solo and ensemble portions of the Prescribed Music List. As a fellow composer and 30 year veteran of the classroom, I share your…

“New Additions to UIL Prescribed Solo Ensemble Music List for Grade 2- Trumpet Quartet Numbers”

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Total recent inclusions- 25   Medici Music Press includes 10 or 40% of all new “Trumpet Quartets” to Grade 2 level recently accepted   Code Event Name Title Composer Arranger Publisher [Collection] Grade Specification 340-2-13651 Cornet-Trumpet Quartet Kyrie in F Bach Dishinger Medici Music Press 2 340-2-13652 Cornet-Trumpet Quartet Kyrie in G Bach Dishinger Medici Music Press 2 340-2-13653 Cornet-Trumpet Quartet Rowland Byrd Dishinger Medici Music Press 2 (no repeats) 340-2-13654 Cornet-Trumpet Quartet The Earle of Oxford’s Marche Byrd Dishinger Medici Music Press 2 340-2-13655 Cornet-Trumpet Quartet Two Renaissance Canons des Pres Decker Medici Music Press 2 340-2-13656 Cornet-Trumpet Quartet…

The University Interscholastic League Solo and Ensemble Music

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“Solo and ensemble repertoire will not be considered at this time”. “Solo and ensemble repertoire will not be considered at this time”. “Solo and ensemble repertoire will not be considered at this time”. “Solo and ensemble repertoire will not be considered at this time”. To most of you, this organization and their simple yet straight forward statement “Solo and ensemble repertoire will not be considered at this time” has little meaning or importance. But to the hundreds of aspiring composers/arrangers around the country, this statement is a point of great frustration which only a composer/arranger can fully understand. Those 10…

Let Me Introduce You To My Friend Jen Houck

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Many of you may not recognize the name Jen Houck, unless you remember reading some of her comments and her very helpful suggestions on some inexpensive equipment that will make cleaning your horn much easier- Now Here Is A Great Idea! or you might remember this one Carroll Community Wind Ensemble Trumpet Players Jen has been a very good friend of mine for many years now and her insight and fresh look at simple as well as complex problems is always welcome on our site. Recently she contacted me for some ideas which she wanted to implement in her upcoming…