2017 South Texas Trumpet Workshop

On February 18-19, 2017, Dr. Kyle Millsap and the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Trumpet Studio hosted the 2017 South Texas Trumpet Workshop (STTW).

This year's guest artist was Judith Saxton, who has held positions with many orchestras and universities. Attendees ranged from high school students through college professors from nearby universities. The workshop opened on Saturday afternoon with a master class by Ms. Saxton for the students in the TAMUK trumpet studio. The class began with a preview of some of Saxton's teaching of the Alexander Technique and students performed prepared works, including Fantasy for Trumpet by Malcolm Arnold, Oskar Böhme's Concerto for Trumpet, Legende by George Enesco, and Karl Pilss' Sonata for Trumpet and Piano.

Sunday featured a morning warm-up session led by Saxton, stressing the importance of proper breathing, singing, solmization, and mouthpiece playing. This was followed by a group Alexander Technique class for the participants. The morning concluded with a mass trumpet ensemble rehearsal led by Millsap, rehearsing the "Triumphal March" from Aida. Saxton gave another masterclass in the afternoon where she worked with students wanting to perform. The final class was a question and answer session for the participants, fielded by Saxton and Millsap. Throughout the day there were performances by the TAMUK Trumpet Ensembles and Jazz Combo I. The workshop concluded with a recital featuring Saxton. It began with the mass ensemble. Millsap was featured on Meg Bowles' Places Where Rivers Meet and in a duet with Saxton on Biber's 12 Trumpet Duets and Fitzgerald's Three Fanfares for Two Trumpets. The two also paired for Anthony Plog's Animal Ditties. Saxton performed Cooman's Spring Songs, Tull's Three Bagatelles, and closed the recital with Collins' Serenade, which was written for her.

The STTW, having now completed its third year, was created to bring together trumpeters of all ages and abilities from the South Texas region with the mission of furthering study of trumpet performance and pedagogy.

Judy Saxton working with student

Participants and faculty

Source: Dr. Kyle Millsap, assistant professor of trumpet, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX.

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