Jazz Is Alive and Well in Sherman, Texas…

written by Bruce Chidester on January 7, 2025

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…

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Is There A God and Can He Perform Miracles? Part 2

written by Bruce Chidester

After reading our first post, Is There A God and Can He Perform Miracles? Part 1 – Trumpet Blog , some may ask why these miraculous changes occurred? Were they simple coincidences or is there actually power in prayer? Only each individual will be able to answer this question. But,…

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Is There A God and Can He Perform Miracles? Part 1

written by Bruce Chidester

The past year has had many unexpected turns which can test one’s faith and understanding of life. April of last year began unexpectedly when it was discovered that my wife had developed cancer in her right eye. After its extraction we were faced with the saddening fact that the cancer…

Pounding Pain In The Back Of The Brain Continued

written by Bruce Chidester

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,…

Product Review- Hawk Flugelhorn with Case

written by Bruce Chidester

12 Best Flugelhorn Reviews and the Best Flugel horn Brands And now for my review of this instrument. Based on a 5* rating Materials- **** Workmanship- **** Finish- ***** Mechanics- *** Valves- *** Weight- *** Feel- *** Response- *** Intonation- **** Threading on Valves and Valve caps- * Original Mouthpiece-…

Product Review- Hawk Flugelhorn with Case

written by Bruce Chidester

In order to keep our readers up to date on new products and new ideas, we try to get our hands on products for review and evaluation and this is one of those cases. A good friend and fellow musician recently purchased a new Hawk Flugelhorn and I asked to…

Susan Rider- In Her Own Words

written by Bruce Chidester

Since 1997, I have been a member of the trumpet/cornet section of “The President’s Own'” United States Marine Band in Washington, D.C. This ensemble has the distinction of being the oldest continually active professional musical organization in America (it was established by an Act of Congress in 1798). Its primary…

Susan Rider- A Great Trumpet Performer As Well As A Wonderful Person.

written by Bruce Chidester

From time to time we come in contact with the very gifted and realize these people are capable of great things. This was the case for me when I first met and worked with Susan Rider. Susan comes from a very tallented family and her father and I had many…

Free Trumpet Sheet Music- “My Country Tis’ of Thee”- Trio

written by Bruce Chidester

Here is an interesting trumpet trio you might enjoy….. My Country Tis’ of Thee- Trio

The Battle of the Plastics

written by Bruce Chidester

From time to time new innovations crop up which, according to their inventers/designers, will revolutionize all trumpet playing. In a few cases, we are benefited by these improvements but in most cases the new ideas fall way short from their advertised benefits. Case in point is the continuing push for…

Would you like to increase your air intake? So would I.

written by Bruce Chidester

As most of my readers know by now with my heart attack from two years back, one of the side effects was that I lost about half of my vital capacity (total air intake). While in physical therapy, I asked my therapist if it would ever come back and in…

Have You Ever Considered Playing A Medium Bore Trumpet/Cornet?

written by Bruce Chidester

Now that is a question that I am sure you have never been asked! Most selections of bore size are limited to either large bore or extra-large bore and an option of a small bore or even a medium bore never enters the picture. Here is a quote from the…

Still My All-Time Favorite Brass Ensemble- The King’s Brass

written by Bruce Chidester

My last post dealt with my favorite trumpet players and today’s post is similar, but this time I would like to introduce you to my favorite brass ensemble, the King’s Brass. This was the brass ensemble that influence me into forming my first trumpet ensemble. I have followed the King’s…

And As If That Wasn’t Enough!

written by Bruce Chidester