VSU Trumpet Homepage

The Trumpet Studio at Valdosta State University is vital and flourishing. Music Education and Bachelor of Arts majors receive one 50-minute lesson per week, and Performance majors receive two 50-minute lessons per week. In addition, all trumpet students participate in the weekly studio class, where fundamentals (breathing, tone production, etc.), history and literature of the instrument, musicianship, and other aspects of trumpet are studied and where students play together and for each other.

In lessons, a three-faceted approach is used. First, production is addressed. Progressive exercises and studies appropriate to the student’s level are assigned, and fundamental problems are addressed. Second, solo repertoire is studied. The standard curricula are given below.

Christopher Dennard: Lower right-performing for the US Army Old Guard Band located in Washington DC. This performance was part of a recent Spirit of America Tour!

Dr. Kirk, teaching again this summer in Paris, shown to the right performing at the Foyer International D'Accueil a Paris (FIAP) Jean Monnet. He played the Marc-Antoine Charpentier Te Deum and the Wilke Renwick Encore!

Dan Schilling, a recent trumpet studio graduate is currently the trumpet studio teaching assistant at the University of Florida. He plays co-principal in the University orchestra and wind ensemble, coaches a student brass quintet, and teaches the undergraduate trumpet lessons when Dr. Davis is out of town

MM in Trumpet Performance audition requirements:

Demonstrate performance ability on a twentieth century B-flat sonata, a standard Baroque work, and an avant-garde work. Masters students in trumpet performance must also demonstrate knowledge of an avant-garde contemporary work. Must arrange audition on campus for Graduate Assistantship consideration.

The following requirements for upper-level study are to be completed by the end of the fourth semester of study.

A. Harold Mitchell series, lesson 30 (performance majors: 45) at fastest indicated tempos.

B. Arban, p. 44, nos. 22 and 23; p.20, no. 46; p. 22, nos. 49 and 50 (performance majors: add p. 126, no. 2) at fastest indicated tempos.

3. Articulation. Double tonguing: Arban, p. 175, quarter note = 120, or equivalent. Triple tonguing: Arban, p. 155, quarter note = 100, or equivalent. 4. Orchestral repertoire-Six (performance majors: twelve) standard orchestral excerpts from Lawrence House or 1994 ITG list, to include 3 of first dozen.

5. Solo repertoire. Demonstrate knowledge of Haydn and Hummel concertos, French repertoire, cornet repertoire. Performance majors include Baroque repertoire and a major B-flat sonata.

Hear three excerpts from a recent recital performance of Eric Ewazen's Quintet for Trumpet and Strings

Performed February 3, 2003 in Whitehead Auditorium with the Valdosta State University Faculty String Quartet.

If you are interested in purchasing this work, it is available form the Southern Music Company.

Excerpts "used by permission of Southern Music Company, San Antonio, Texas."

At Valdosta State University, great emphasis is placed on performance. In addition to the degree recitals (senior half-recital for Music Education and Bachelor of Arts majors and junior half-recital and senior full-recital for Performance majors), each music major, regardless of degree, plays on a weekly student recital once per semester.

The third major facet of trumpet study at Valdosta State University is orchestral excerpts. The student typically studies three to six excerpts each semester, depending on their length and difficulty. Some other issues addressed in private lessons are jazz improvisation, music theory, and aspects of professionalism.

Trumpet students at Valdosta State University participate in a wide variety of ensembles, including the incomparable Valdosta Symphony Orchestra. The VSU Trumpet Studio has sent alumni to top graduate schools and successful careers in music education, free-lance performing, church music, and other music-related fields. If you would like to learn more about Trumpet Study at Valdosta State University, please email me. I look forward to hearing from you.