(This is an update-our original article appeared in The Trumpet Blog on March 31, 2019)
The group has experienced a number of changes in the past nearly four years. Sadly, in August 2020 our founder, director, teacher, our friend, Gordon Purslow passed away. The daunting challenge-find a qualified replacement.
And, good news-we were fortunate to have Mr. Dave Czohara take the director position. Dave is an experienced, professional with an outstanding background. A retired Navy musician, he is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, and studied privately with several notable teachers, Dave has played professionally with more than 125 groups, including circus and tribute bands and served stints at both Disneyland and Disney World. He has also performed with Wild Bill Anderson, Charlie Rich, Bob Hope, Danny Thomas, and many more stars. He is currently working with The Savoys, Nu Soundz, Shades of Blue, and The Villages Pop Chorus. In addition, he is a soloist at Trinity Lutheran Church. Dave has been the recipient of many awards, including two Grammys and The John Philip Sousa Award.
Under Dave’s leadership The Ensemble’s membership has grown to nearly twenty. These include several true professionals (some still active), others who played in their younger days, took off for years, and are now re-discovering the magic of music. Most played in school, and a number of us served in military bands. It should be noted that The Villages is a Florida retirement community; many members of the group are part-time residents who spend their summers elsewhere. This presents a challenge which requires flexibility on the part of all.
Our library has also increased in size, and in the variety of music we play. We currently have nearly 300 arrangements, including numbers from many genres. Dave recently purchased a set of jazz standards and is teaching us the secrets of that challenging musical idiom. His major focus is directed towards dynamics, articulation and style. And he insists, and assures, that it’s fun! A special feature of The Villages Trumpet Ensemble, the most gratifying of all; we’re bandmates, but more importantly-we’re friends!
So, once again-if you love playing trumpet (as we do), and you want to enjoy doing it with a congenial group, move to The Villages in The Sunshine State, and join The Villages Trumpet Ensemble!
This update was submitted by our good friend Corky Maschinot.
