2018 ITG Conference Report - Day 4 - Friday, June 1 - Evening events
The 43rd Annual International Trumpet Guild Conference - San Antonio, Texas (USA)
Special Daily Report • Compiled by Peter Wood
Photos by Michael Anderson, Norman Bergstrom, Josh Rzepka, Denny Schreffler, and Brian Shook
Friday, June 1, 2018 - Evening events
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Reception: Student Meet and Greet
After a full day of performances and masterclasses, students from across the world enjoyed a wonderful reception sponsored by Grant Manhart and Fred Powell. In the largest attended reception since its inception four years ago, students were able to mingle with other students, vendors, and members of the ITG board. While the students were sharing stories and eating, numerous door prizes such as cases, mutes, and mouthpieces were given away. The reception was capped off by ITG President Cathy Leach speaking to the attendees, offering an optimistic view of the future of the organization and an open invitation to next year’s reception by the sea in beautiful Miami. (JW)
Evening Concert: A Night with the Stars
The evening concert began with the US Air Force Band of the West, led by Major David Alpar, performing a rousing transcription of Leonard Bernstein’s Overture to Candide. As with their performance for the opening concert on Tuesday night, this reviewer was struck by the ensemble’s precision and enthusiastic playing.
The first soloist of the evening, Philippe Litzler, performed Alexander Arutunian’s Concerto for Trumpet. Litzler’s rendition was light and graceful, containing none of the force and heaviness often associated with this work.
Philippe Litzler
Unlike other concerts at ITG Conferences, which often feature a seemingly never-ending stream of trumpet soloists (not that there's anything wrong with that!), the US Air Force Band of the West included a number of stand-alone works for band in their program. They next performed Alte Kamerade (Old Comrades) by Carl Teike. As Major Alpar stated, “When you come to a military band concert, you expect to hear a march.” The inclusion of this German warhorse was a refreshing change of pace.
James Stephenson introduced his work, Road Home, by saying that it metaphorically represents returning home and all of the emotions associated with that return. He stated that his use of leaps of sevenths throughout the piece represents the soloist being “almost there.” Chris Gekker, the featured soloist, was seated for the piece due to a recent severe illness. This did nothing to diminish his performance, however, as he provided a powerful, dynamic rendering of this work in its world premiere.
James Stephenson
Chris Gekker
The next “trumpet break” featured the band playing Steven Bryant’s Ecstatic Fanfare. From the opening chords by the brass, the woodwind flourishes, and the high horn obbligato, this piece was reminiscent of works by John Williams. Premiered in 2012, it was disappointing when the piece concluded; this writer wishes it had lasted longer!
The final trumpet soloist of the evening, José Cháfer Mompó, presented another world premiere, Spices, by Saul Gomez Soler. Spices was organized into various sections, each representing a different facet of the “taste universe,” and included “fresh mint (a breath of fresh air for our palate and ear); sugar and cinnamon (that sweet moment that defines good times); chili pepper (an adventure to an explosive sensory experience, do you dare to try it?) and peppermint, the freshness of fresh grass, which floods us again with its enveloping and herbal aroma” (http://www.saulgomez.es). Beautifully played by Cháfer and the band, this work should appear on many concerts in the coming years. It was extremely enjoyable to hear and appeared fun to perform as well.
José Cháfer Mompó
The US Air Force Band of the West concluded the formal part of the concert with Blue Shades by Frank Ticheli. Described by one reviewer as “many ‘shades of blue,’ from bright and dark to dirty and hot,” it was the perfect showcase for this exceptional ensemble.
The band closed with Salute to the Armed Services and the ever-popular Stars and Stripes Forever, with Major Alpar leading the rhythmic clapping for each piece. Titled “A Night with the Stars,” this concert featured four of them: Philippe Litzler, Chris Gekker, José Cháfer Mompó, AND the US Air Force Band of the West. (KE)
Trumpet Ensemble Reading Session II
This was the second of two scheduled trumpet ensemble reading sessions, hosted by Buddy Deshler. With over thirty participants, it was a terrific sight to see a mixture of trumpet players from a variety of backgrounds joining to read through the evening’s selections. For most pieces, all trumpeters present were on stage to participate in the reading, creating a rousing sound. The session featured two original compositions—Cannonball Jubilee for trumpet quartet by Daniel Thrower and Levi and Petra for trumpet quintet by Ryne Siesky—and two arrangements. The first of these featured Garrett Klein of the Dallas Brass on the second movement of Marcus Grant’s arrangement of the Haydn Trumpet Concerto, scored for soloist plus trumpet septet; and Barry Ford’s arrangement of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus for ten B-flat trumpets. The evening’s event seemed to spark a good deal of camaraderie amongst the participants with its good-natured and lighthearted setting. (KM)
Evening Jazz Concert—Jorge Giraldo
The music of South America, especially Jorge Giraldo’s native Columbia, permeated the concert hall as the artist and his stellar ensemble played seven unique and highly involved pieces. Using trumpet, flugelhorn, and cornet, Giraldo’s gorgeous sound and utter command of his instrument was evident throughout. The Latin passion was evident in the opening tune, Al Despertar, and continued through the Tango-like Balada Prara Un Amor Imposible. The piano-less ensemble (consisting of guitar, bass, and percussion) offered brilliant support as the various pieces moved in rhythmic segments, a unique aspect of almost every song performed. A highlight of the performance was Caribe, in which polyrhythms floated among the talented quartet. Concluding with a standing ovation, this concert was a memorable evening of unique Latin sounds performed by an outstanding ensemble and soloist. (NM)
Jorge Giraldo
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