Posted by glennled on August 21, 2013
Trumpet Soloist, Symphonic Band, HIMS
Dan Rowe, Music Director of Concert and Jazz Bands at Hamilton International Middle School (HIMS) in the Wallingford district of north Seattle, ended the school music year on 6 June with an expert Spring Band Concert at Lincoln High School Auditorium. He conducted four bands comprised of almost 300 students in total: the Beginning (58 members), Cadet (87), Concert (72), and Symphonic (75) bands.
Two trumpet players were among those singled out in each band for special awards. The Outstanding Musician Award for the Cadet Band went to trumpeter, Carter Eng. The Most Improved Musician Award for the Concert Band went to trumpeter, Juliana Silldorff.
The music program at HIMS is supported by Friends of Music at Hamilton International (FOMAHI). Please see www.fomahi.org. FOMAHI was headed in 2012-2013 by Alicia Edgar, President. For my article and photos about last winter’s band concert, please see my blog post of 24 December 2012.
Below is a gallery of photos from the concert. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.
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Beginning Band, HIMS
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HIMS Beginning Band
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Trumpeters, Beginning Band, HIMS
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Cadet Band, HIMS
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Trumpet Section (14), Cadet Band
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Dan Rowe presents Outstanding Musician Award, Cadet Band, to Carter Eng, trumpeter
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Concert Band, HIMS
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HIMS Concert Band
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Trumpet Section (9), Concert Band
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Piano soloist, Concert Band, “”The Seal Lullaby” by Eric Whitacre
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Symphonic Band, HIMS
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Trumpet Section (10), Symphonic Band, HIMS
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Trumpet Duet
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Balloon Soloists, Symphonic Band, HIMS, “Rondo” by W.A. Mozart/Arranged by Larry Clark
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Clarinet Section, Symphonic Band, HIMS, “Pie In the Face Polka” by Henry Mancini/Arranged by Johnnie Vinson
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Posted in School Concerts | Tagged: band, concert, Dan Rowe, FOMAHI, Friends of Music at Hamilton International, Hamilton International Middle School, HIMS, musician, symphonic, trumpet, trumpeter | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on June 4, 2013
Concert Band, Juanita High School
Two of my trumpet students—one current, one past—played in the “Final Concert” of the school year at Juanita High School in Kirkland on 29 May—so I simply had to go! And, as always, I’m very glad I did. One student is in the Concert Band (for freshmen), and the other is in the Symphonic Band (for sophomores). Both bands, plus the Wind Symphony (for juniors and seniors) and the Jazz Band, are under the very capable direction of Mariko Lane. Also on the program were the Concert Choir (all girls) and the Concert Choir (co-ed), directed by Lehua Pischke.
The Jazz Band opened the concert with “Big Swing Face,” followed by “Little Brown Jug” and “The Elks Parade.” The next band was the 46-member Concert Band, playing a “Symphonic Suite from the ‘Lord of the Rings’.” After that, the Symphonic Band (42 members) played a medley from “The Phantom of the Opera.” And finally, the Wind Symphony (40 members) played a “Star Wars Medley.”
Symphonic Band, Juanita High School
The music was challenging for the musicians and entertaining for the audience. It was evident that Ms. Lane is well-loved by her musicians, who follow her direction with precision. The balance of the instrumental sections was very impressive—for example, she kept the power of the brass in check, and the blending of the instruments was very pleasant. Also, she chose arrangements that featured solos by several of her best musicians.
The Jazz Choir sang a “Swing Around Suite” which included “A Tisket, A Tasket,” “God Bless the Child,” and “How High the Moon.” The Concert Choir sang “The Lion King: The Broadway Medley,” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
Please click on any photo to enlarge it.
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Jazz Band
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Mariko Lane listens to Jazz Band
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Trumpet Section, Jazz Band
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Trumpet Solo
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Hats – “Little Brown Jug”
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Trumpet Solo
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Jazz Choir, Lehua Pischke, Conductor
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Jazz Choir with Lehua Pischke on piano
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Mariko Lane introduces the Concert Band
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The Four Trumpeters, Concert Band
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Sarah D., trumpeter
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Symphonic Band
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Symphonic Band
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5 of 7 trumpeters, Symphonic Band
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2 of 7 trumpeters, Symphonic Band
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Trumpet solo
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Aaron G. (center), trumpeter
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Aaron G. (right), trumpeter
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Concert Choir, Lehua Pischke at piano
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Seniors’ Farewell
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Wind Symphony
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Wind Symphony
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Wind Symphony
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Trumpet Section, Wind Symphony
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Tuba, Wind Symphony
Posted in School Concerts | Tagged: Juanita High School, Kirkland, Lehua Pischke, Little Brown Jug, Lord of the Rings, Mariko Lane, Star Wars Medley, The Phantom of the Opera, trumpet, trumpeters | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on June 1, 2013
286 flags to honor the Washingtonians who died in the Irag War
Of course it rained in Lynnwood on Memorial Day! That’s because there was an outdoor ceremony being performed at Veterans Park to honor our nation’s war dead. It always rains then–it’s traditional. But some 250 people didn’t care and came anyway, God bless ’em!
Glenn Ledbetter sounds “Echo Taps”
And as Bugler of VFW Post 1040, I had the privilege to sound three bugle calls—first, “Assembly,” to catch the crowd’s attention and cue the Northwest Jr. Pipe Band to commence the ceremony; then “Echo Taps” to close the ceremony; and finally, “To the Color” when honors were rendered as the American flag was hoisted to full mast at noon, according to custom and protocol.
Boy Scouts Troop 49 of Lynnwood placed flags in the park and distributed the programs. Garret Lloyd King sang three songs, and VFW Post Piper Ray Colby played “God Bless America” on the bagpipes. The Northwest Jr. Pipe Band played “Green Hills,” “Battles Ore,” and “Amazing Grace.” The “echo” part of “Taps” was sounded by Josiah Chupik, lead trumpeter of the Woodinville High School Bands and a former trumpet student of mine. And the three-volley rifle salute by the VFW Post 1040 Honor Guard was perfect.
Please click on any photo to enlarge it. For more information, please see:
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Northwest Jr. Pipe Band
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Northwest Jr. Pipe Band marches into position
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Josiah Chupik, lead trumpeter, Woodinville High School Bands, sounds the “echo” in “Echo Taps.” Photo by Molly Chupik
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Josiah Chupik, “echo” bugler, Woodinville High School senior
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Josiah Chupik (L) and Glenn Ledbetter (R), buglers for “Echo Taps.” Photo by Molly Chupik
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Glenn Ledbetter and Josiah Chupik, “Echo Taps” buglers
Posted in Ceremonies & Celebrations | Tagged: Assembly, bugle, bugler, echo taps, Taps, To the Color, trumpet, trumpeter, VFW Post 1040 | 4 Comments »
Posted by glennled on May 31, 2013
It started in 1984, when Eric Lucas was a senior in high school—a concert called “Northshore Jazz Night” that features the high school jazz bands within the Northshore School District. Mr. Lucas is now Director of Instrumental Music and Performing Arts Department Chair at Woodinville High School. “So often,” he said, “when we play at jazz competitions and individual school concerts, we never get the chance to hear each other play. This is a fun event, usually about the first week of May, just for the entertainment of ourselves, parents, relatives, and friends.”
And on 30 April at Inglemoor High School in Kenmore, we heard five bands from Woodinville, Bothell, and Inglemoor high schools. I got photos of almost every band, but my camera’s battery died just before the Inglemoor Jazz Ensemble took the stage. The lead trumpeter in the Woodinville Jazz Ensemble is my former student. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.
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Woodinville Jazz II
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Six trumpeters, Woodinville Jazz II
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First trumpet soloist, Woodinville Jazz II
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Next trumpet soloist, Woodinville Jazz II
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Trombone soloist, Woodinville Jazz II
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Inglemoor Jazz II
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Saxophone section, Inglemoor Jazz II
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Trumpet soloist, Inglemoor Jazz II
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Trumpeters, Inglemoor Jazz II
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Saxophone soloist, Woodinville Jazz Ensemble
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Trumpet section, Woodinville Jazz Ensemble
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Vocalist, Woodinville Jazz Ensemble
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Eric Lucas, Director of Instrumental Music, Woodinville Jazz Ensemble
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Lead trumpeter, Woodinville Jazz Ensemble
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Trumpeter friends, Woodinville Jazz Ensemble
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Trumpet soloist, Bothell Jazz Ensemble
Posted in School Concerts | Tagged: band, Bothell, ensemble, high school, Inglemoor, jazz, Kenmore, Northshore School District, trumpeter, Woodinville | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on May 26, 2013
Glenn Ledbetter, VFW Post 1040 Bugler, sounds “To the Color.” Photo by Carol Sheldon.
More than 20,000 boys and girls have played baseball and softball in the Pacific Little League since it was founded 48 years ago in 1965, and for the last two, I’ve had the privilege of sounding the bugle call, “To the Color,” on the annual PLL Day–this year on 27 April at Lynndale Park in Lynnwood. More than 800 boys and girls, ages 5-18, from Lynnnwood and Edmonds now participate.
For more information about PLL and this annual event, please see www.pacificlittleleague.com and my post dated 22 May 2012, in this blog (archives, left column).
Please click on any photo englarge it. Two were taken by Carol Sheldon (as marked), and Designer Portrait Studio took all the other photos (see www.thedesignerportraitstudio.com).
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Color Guard in position at home plate; Boy Scouts Troop 312 and Girl Scouts Troop 44018
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Glenn Ledbetter, VFW Post 1040 Bugler, sounds “To the Color.”
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Glenn Ledbetter sounds “To the Color.” Photo by Carol Sheldon
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Jaymie S. sings “The Star Spangled Banner”
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Teams between 1st and 2nd bases
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Teams near 2nd base
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Teams between 2nd & 3rd bases
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3D Roofing Minors
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3D Roofing Majors
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A’s
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A’s
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Bandits
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Blue Angels
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Bulls
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Cardinals
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Cubs
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Diamondbacks
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Dodgers
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Echelbarger
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Express
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Fury
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Giants
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Guild Mortgage
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Harbor Square
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Harbor Square
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Hawks
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Hot Rods
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Indians
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Ironbirds
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Knights
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Lugnuts
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Mariners
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Mariners
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Marlins
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Muckdogs
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Orange Crush
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Orioles
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Panthers
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Phillies
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Pirates
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Point B Minors
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Point B Majors
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Raptors
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Rattlers
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Ravens
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Reds
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Redwings
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Sparta’s
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The Channel Marker
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The Channel Marker Majors
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Windermere
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Yankees
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Carol Sheldon, PLL Day Chair
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Chris Ingalls, announcer
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PLL Leaders
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Ceremonial Pitch by the Mayor
Posted in Ceremonies & Celebrations | Tagged: bugler, color guard, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Pacific Little League, To the Color, VFW Post 1040 | 4 Comments »
Posted by glennled on March 12, 2013
Doc Severinson with the Stiletto Brass Quintet
If you’re attending in the 22nd Annual National Trumpet Competition this week, you’re probably already in Arlington, Virginia where it begins this Thursday on the campus of George Mason University. If not, like me, then you might want to check it out at http://www.nationaltrumpetcomp.org/.
The competition is comprised of six divisions: junior, high school, undergraduate, graduate, jazz, and ensemble. In the junior division, there are six competitors; high school, 33; undergraduate, 41; graduate, 36; jazz, 12; and ensemble, 30. Two ensembles are from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington.
The U.S. Navy Band opens the event with a concert, also featuring Tromba Mundi and others, on Thursday, and the Stiletto Brass Quintet (five women, including Amy Gilreath and Cathy Leach on trumpet) plays a two-hour concert featuring Doc Severinson on Friday. That evening, Tom Harrell and his Jazz Quintet appear in concert at Harris Hall, free admission.
Trumpeters conducting clinics and master classes include Charles Lazarus, Vince DiMartino, Joey Tartell, Chris Moore, and Etienne Charles.
For more information, please see:
Posted in Festivals & Competitions | Tagged: Amy Gilreath, Cathy Leach, Central Washington University, Charles Lazarus, Chris Moore, Doc Severinson, ensemble, Etienne Charles, George Mason University, Joey Tartell, National Trumpet Competition, Stiletto Brass Quintet, Tom Harrell, Tromba Mundi, trumpet, U.S. Navy Band, Vince DiMartino | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on March 6, 2013
Cole, a junior at Edmonds-Woodway High School, plays with Peter Bond of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York
Yes, the evening concert at the fourth annual NW Trumpet Arts Festival on 3 March at Seattle Pacific University (SPU) featured five highly accomplished, professional trumpeters, headed by Peter Bond of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York and Dr. Brian Chin of SPU and the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra.
But I went to the festival to hear the kids play. The afternoon program consisted of two Master’s Classes and a Student Concert. Peter Bond taught the class on “Practicing Fundamentals,” and Chad McCullough taught the one on “Practicing Jazz Improvisation.” There were almost 50 people at these sessions. Dr. Chin emceed the event, sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation, Kennelly Keys Music, and SPU.
The Student Concert gave six trumpet students the golden opportunity to play, with piano accompaniment, in a non-competitive environment for their peers, the five professional artists, and an appreciative public audience. All the students played very challenging music. They received written feedback from the professional trumpet artists and a classy festival T-shirt. What a special event this is! As it continues to grow, the festival aims to draw at least 100 people.
Please click on any photo to enlarge it.
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Allison, freshman, SPU, Seattle
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Peter Bond, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, New York
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Aaron & Peter Bond
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Peter Bond emphasizes a point to Cole about practicing fundamentals
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Chad McCullough, jazz trumpeter
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Carter, senior, Shorecrest High School, Shoreline
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John, junior, Roosevelt High School, Seattle
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Brandon, a graduate of Central Washington University, Ellensburg
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Michaela, senior, Meadowdale High School, Lynnwood
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Aaron, junior, Kamiak High School, Mukilteo
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SPU Campus, Main Entrance
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McKinley Hall, E.E. Bach Theater, site of 2013 NW Trumpet Arts Festival
Posted in Festivals & Competitions | Tagged: Brian Chin, Chad McCullough, improvisation, jazz, Kennelly Keys Music, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, NW Trumpet Arts Festival, Peter Bond, Seattle Pacific University, SPU, Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, trumpet, trumpeters, Yamaha Corporation | 2 Comments »
Posted by glennled on March 5, 2013
What does it mean when you cry in Act I of Puccini’s opera, La Boheme, and not when Mimi dies at the end of Act IV? Well, it must have a little to do with the fact that this is the second time my wife and I have seen La Boheme at the Seattle Opera. And it must have a lot to do with the singers and the music itself—there are a couple of outstandingly beautiful arias and a duet in Act I, sung by the lead soprano (Jennifer Black) and tenor (Michael Fabiano) when we attended on 24 February. And finally, it must have something to do with me, myself, and I.
Two trumpeters lead the parade by Cafe Momus in Act II. Photo by Elise Bakketun.
In Act I, young Mimi and Rodolfo fall in love. Mimi is a seamstress and courtesan, and Rodolfo is a poor poet, living in the same cheap apartment house in Paris. She is ill, but their love is strong. Their future brims with hope and promise. Who does not remember an intense, dreamy, romantic love in one’s youth? A tear sneaks down from the corner of my right eye.
They nearly break up in Act III. and then in the climax of Act IV, Mimi passes away after a long bout with consumption. Rodolfo is the last in the room to realize that she is dead. And out in seat E-2, a pair of dry eyes watch. Whazat? Most people cry in all the right places. Not me, not this time. Surprise.
Love is born—tears. Love is lost—no tears. I’ve seen it before—I know this love will die. But we never let tragic love stories, beautifully told, die. This great opera should always remain one of the world’s most popular. It premiered 117 years ago at Teatro Regio in Turin, northern Italy on 1 February 1896. The opera is “about young people caught in a difficult economic situation in desperate and conflicted love,” writes Speight Jenkins, General Director of the Seattle Opera. “There is no opera that so immediately speaks to everyone’s youth, even to those very young.”
Please click on any photo to enlarge it.
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Mimi (Jennifer Black) and Rodolfo (Michael Fabiano). Photo by Elise Bakketun.
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Musetta (Jennifer Zetlan) and Marcello (Keith Phares). Photo by Elise Bakketun.
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Rodolfo (Michael Fabiano), Colline (Arthur Woodley), Benoit (Tony Dillon), Schaunard (Andrew Garland), and Marcello (Keith Phares). Photo by Elise Bakketun.
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Colline (Arthur Woodley), Schaunard (Andrew Garland), Mimi (Jennifer Black), Rodolfo (Michael Fabiano), Marcello (Keith Phares), and Musetta (Jennifer Zetlan). Photo by Elise Bakketun.
Posted in Professional Concerts | Tagged: arias, duet, Jennifer Black, La Boheme, Michael Fabiano, Puccini, Seattle Opera, Speight Jenkins, trumpeters | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on February 5, 2013
Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, WA, view of Mt. Rainier
As of now, I have played “Taps” 50 times at various veterans’ memorials and funerals in the Greater Seattle area. The latest veteran so honored was Richard Louis Larson (1927-2013), whose cremated remains were inurned at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent on 2 February.
A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, Richard was renown for his life-long, kind service of others. After he heard me sound “Taps” at a Veterans Day ceremony, he told me he had been a bugler aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Shangri-La (CV-38), where he served from 1945-48 while I was a boy in Texas. According to his memorial service program, Richard saw the first jet airplanes launch from and land on a carrier deck. When that ship crossed the equator, he entered King Neptune’s Realm and
USS Shangri-La (CV-38) underway in the Pacific, crew paraded on flight deck, 17 August 1946, almost exactly one year after V-J Day. U.S. Navy photo.
was transformed through an old Navy tradition from a pollywood to a shellback. I later learned from Brian Seguin, a fellow VFW and American Legion member with Richard, that in 1946, he participated in Operations Crossroads, during which atomic bombs were tested at the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands. In September 2011, Brian escorted Richard on his Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. (see www.honorflight.org). That’s when Brian learned that Richard carried a small Bible, given to him by his parents when he entered the Navy at age ~17.
Richard also was a talented poet and musician. He played cornet, trombone, baritone, and drums in Salvation Army bands. For 35 years, his father had been a chaplain for the Salvation Army men’s service department for alcoholics, helping men rebuild their lives. Richard met Lillian at a Salvation Army camp, and they were married 62 years. Richard often volunteered for the Salvation Army’s Emergency Canteens. And he loved to attend Salvation Army band concerts (see my blog post of 3 June 2012).
He had many more laudable qualities and accomplishments than I have mentioned here—he was special, a man of deep Christian faith and practice, a servant of others. It is blessing to me to sound “Taps” for such men.
Please click on either photo to enlarge it.
Posted in Ceremonies & Celebrations | Tagged: American Legion, band, bugler, concerts, cornet, Navy, Salvation Army, Shangri-La, Tahoma National Cemetery, Taps, veterans, VFW | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on February 4, 2013
Trumpeters! Want to become your best? Want a quick study on playing the trumpet? Feel like you’re stuck on something and just not getting any better at it, no matter what? Want to hear how advanced, professional trumpeters do things and what they’ve learned through their years of experience? Want to ask them a question about something?
Here’s your chance on Sunday, 3 March—attend the Trumpet Arts Festival being held at Seattle Pacific University (SPU) in Queen Anne. Please see http://trumpetarts.com/NW_Trumpet_Arts_Festival/Welcome.html.
The following trumpeters are featured this year: Peter Bond, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, NYC; Anthony Di Lorenzo, soloist; Chad McCullough, jazz soloist; Judson Scott, University of Puget Sound; and Brian Chin, SPU. To learn more about them, please see http://trumpetarts.com/NW_Trumpet_Arts_Festival/Artists.html.
It’s a full program:
- At 2 p.m., the Masterclass: “Practicing Fundamentals”
- At 3:30 p.m., the Masterclass: “Practicing Improvisation”
- At 4:30 p.m., Student Concert open to the public
- At 7:00 p.m., Artists’ Concert open to the public
- At 9:00 p.m., After-hours Jazz Jam at Thai Fusion, 15 Nickerson St
If you like, you can bring your horn and piano music and play for the Artists. They will give you written comments on your performance. This is supportive, professional, expert feedback, not a contest. Bring your own pianist/accompanist, or rehearse for a half hour and perform with the pianist furnished by the Festival. An extra $40 fee covers the cost. For details, please see http://trumpetarts.com/NW_Trumpet_Arts_Festival/Students.html.
The location is the E.E. Bach Theater, SPU, 3307 Third Avenue West, Seattle. The cost is $25 tuition for the day and $10 for the evening concert only. Come learn more about yourself and your horn and hear some great music!
Posted in Festivals & Competitions | Tagged: Anthony Di Lorenzo, arts, Bach Theater, Brian Chin, Chad McCullough, concert, festival, horn, jam, jazz, Judson Scott, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Peter Bond, piano, Seattle Pacific University, SPU, Thai Fusion, trumpet, trumpeters, University of Puget Sound | 2 Comments »
Glenn's Trumpet Notes 