NPP Meet and Greet
The Non-Pro Player Committee initiated the first ever Non-Pro Players Meet and Greet Reception at the 2013 ITG Conference, with Board and Non-Pro Players Committee members providing insights regarding ITG support for the Non-Pro Player activities. Small groups of conference attendees meet, chat and exchange ideas and stories as they make new friends and renew old acquaintances.
2024 Anaheim, California
The Non-Pro Player Meet and Greet Gathering was held on the Patio at Oggi’s Sports Brewhouse Pizza where participants chatted with old and new friends, with members of the Non-Pro Player committee, as well as members of the ITG board and the Non-Pro Player session presenters. The Reception at Oggi’s was an opportunity to reunite with old friends and make new ones. Led by Dan Hallock, the meeting included a summary of the 2024 Conference’s Non-Pro Player events and plenty of time for mingling. Dozens of members of the non-pro player community socialized with each other and with several representatives from the ITG board of directors, as well as ITG President Ryan Gardner and Vice-President/President-Elect and NPP WarmUp Session Director and NPP Master Class Pedagogue Jason Dovel, current and former NPP Committee members, Seretta Hart (NPP Ensemble Director), Nancy Taylor (NPP clinic presenter), Julia Bell (NPP Social Media Manager and NPP Reading Session Director).
2023 Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Non-Pro Player Meet and Greet Gathering was held at The Pub Shoppe (the Red Room) at Brit’s Pub & Eating Establishment where participants chatted with old and new friends, with members of the Non-Pro Player committee, as well as members of the ITG board and the Non-Pro Player session presenters. The Reception at Brit’s Pub was an opportunity to reunite with old friends and make new ones. Led by Dan Hallock, the meeting included a summary of the 2023 Conference’s Non-Pro Player events and plenty of time for mingling. Dozens of members of the non-pro player community socialized with each other and with several representatives from the ITG board of directors, as well as ITG President Jason Bergman. The group was also joined by two past ITG presidents and several of this year’s Non-Pro event guest artists, including Robert Sears and Chris Moore. Attendees included not only local trumpeters, but also those who traveled from all over the globe. (Julia Bell)
2022 San Antonio, Texas
The Non-Pro and Comeback Players meet-and-greet reception was well-attended with participants from all over the United States and Canada. Attendees were introduced to the Non-Pro Players Committee, ITG President Jason Bergman, and President-Elect Ryan Gardner, as well as several ITG past presidents and special guests Jens Lindemann and Ole Edvard Antonsen. For the first time in three years, members of the Non-Pro and Comeback Player community were able to reconnect in person, sharing stories of their travels and the most anticipated events on their ITG Conference itineraries. Attendees were able to discuss and coordinate their attendance at the remaining Non-Pro Player events. (Julia Bell)
2021 Virtual ITG Conference
Non-Pro Players Meet Up – live in-person interactive session on Zoom
2019 Miami, Florida
Meet and Greet reception was hosted in 2019 by Stomvi and Thompson Music at Miami, Florida.
The Non-Pro/Comeback Players Reception has become an annual event at ITG Conferences. This is an important constituency within the International Trumpet Guild, and ITG President Cathy Leach thanked the group for their continued involvement in the organization. Dan Hallock, chair of the Non-Pro/Comeback Players Committee, reminded those at the reception about events yet to be held during this week’s conference, including warm-up sessions, masterclasses, and the Festival of Trumpets concert. He explained to first-time Conference attendees that they are “part of the ITG family” and are valued members. Numerous ITG board members and several past presidents answered questions and discussed ideas for future events with the group. Thanks to Thompson Music and Stomvi Trumpets (K.O. Skinsnes) for sponsoring this reception. (KE)
2018 San Antonio, Texas
The non-professional/comeback players make up an important subset of the International Trumpet Guild. I believe that they may look forward to our annual conferences more than any other group within the Guild. For years I hesitated to call them amateurs--especially since many of them perform more frequently than I do--until I was reminded that the word “amateur” comes from “amare,” which means “to love.” These folks LOVE the trumpet! And they love to spend time together, whether as a trumpet ensemble or at a reception at the Q Bar. Dan Hallock, chair of the Non-Pro/Comeback Players Committee, spoke enthusiastically at the reception about events yet to be held during this week’s conference and about events already planned for the 2019 conference in Miami, Florida. ITG President Cathy Leach thanked the group for their continuing involvement in ITG. (KE)
2017 Hershey, Pennsylvania
A gathering of approximately 80-100 of the non-pro members of ITG was held at Your Place Sports Bar. The group was joined by many ITG Board members, including the current and three past presidents of ITG. Non-Pro Player Committee Chairman Dan Hallock introduced the members of the committee, explained its mission, and described what has been done on behalf of this very large group of the ITG membership in the past year. ITG President Brian Evans welcomed all those in attendance and shared his greetings and appreciation to all. As always at these events, old friendships were renewed and new friends were welcomed. This annual event is always one of lively discussion and exchange of information, and this year’s gathering was no exception. It remains an event that all non-professional members of ITG should attend. (DR)