Glenn’s Trumpet Notes

Getzen Eterna Severinsen Model (900S)

My beautiful, loving wife bought me the most wonderful Christmas gift! My new B-flat trumpet was delivered to our home in the late afternoon of Friday, 4 December, just a couple of hours before I was due to perform in the musical, Home for Christmas, with the Alderwood Community Church Orchestra in Lynnwood. I blew a few notes from low G to high C, took it with me, and played it in public that very evening.

It was manufactured by Getzen Company in Elkhorn, Wisconsin in c.1977. It’s the 900S model  with medium large bore (.460″), Amado water keys, first-valve trigger, third-valve slide, bright silver plate finish, and case.

It was named for Carl “Doc” Severinsen, who was then Vice President of Research and Development. Severinsen is a nationally famous television artist (most notably, Music Director, “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson), a clinician, and guest soloist. According to the company’s 1977 brochure, it took almost two years of development before the model was accepted for market. It’s designed and built for professional trumpeters. One of the all-time great jazz trumpeters, Freddy Hubbard, is among the pros who played this model.

I’ll be using it not only to play gigs but also in teaching private lessons. I’m thrilled. What a great Christmas present!