Glenn’s Trumpet Notes

News & Tips for Trumpet & Cornet Students

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“Taps” and “To the Color” at Memorial Day Ceremony at Veterans Park, Lynnwood

Posted by glennled on June 2, 2012

“Taps” by Glenn Ledbetter, VFW Post 1040 Bugler. (by Nancy MacDonald)

Clearly, someone carefully chose the rhododendron species at Veterans Park in Lynnwood where the Memorial Day ceremony was held on Monday, 28 May—the dark pink flowers were still in full bloom as two wreaths were laid in honor of those American military men and women who died during our wars.

Martin Spani, Commander of Post 1040 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Lynnwood, emceed the ceremony which featured the Northwest Junior Pipe Band, singer Garret Lloyd King, and guest speaker, Lt. Col. Joseph S. Jimenez, U.S. Army (Ret.). The memorial wreaths were laid by Richard Larson, USN, WWII, of Lynnwood American Legion Post 37, and Art Clemente, USMC, WWII, Lynnwood VFW Post 1040. Boy Scouts of America, Lynnwood Troup 49, assisted by placing the flags in the park and distributing the programs. A crowd of almost 225 attended under an overcast sky.

Ray Colby, VFW Post 1040 Piper, plays “God Bless America.” (by Chaplain Mary Sjoberg)

The pipe band played “Green Hills,” “Battles Ore,” and “Amazing Grace.” Ray Colby, a Navy World War II veteran and the VFW Post 1040 piper, played “God Bless America.” After the rifle salute by the VFW Post 1040 Honor Guard, the post bugler (me) sounded “Taps.” Throughout the ceremony, the American flag flew at half-mast. At twelve noon, I played the bugle call, “To the Color,” as the flag was hoisted to full-mast by the post’s Color Guard.

Please click on any photo to enlarge it. Photographers’ names appear in parentheses after the captions of the respective photos. Incidentally, Chaplain Mary Sjoberg is a member of the U.S. Corps of Chaplains (USCOC)—see https://sites.google.com/site/unitedstatescorpsofchaplains/Home

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“Madama Butterfly” by Giacomo Puccini at Seattle Opera

Posted by glennled on May 31, 2012

Cio-Cio-San

“No more Puccini!” I told my wife after the Seattle Opera’s performance of Madama Butterfly at McCaw Hall on 20 May. “He’s just too powerful. He gets too close, the way he writes about romantic love. The music just rips your heart. It’s too much.” In the back of my mind was the memory of a very similar feeling when we attended Puccini’s La Boheme in 2007 (see http://www.seattleopera.org/discover/archive/production.aspx?productionID=44).

The final version of Madama Butterfly premiered in Paris, France on 28 December 1906—106 years ago—and premiered by Seattle Opera on 15 March 1966. It now ranks #8 in the Operabase list of most-performed operas worldwide (see http://operabase.com/top.cgi?lang=en&). People have always liked beautiful tragedies.

My wife and I talked over Madama Butterfly as we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Modello Italian Restaurant in Magnolia (see www.mondelloristorante.com). The whole event was my birthday gift to her.

The story occurs in Nagasaki, Japan at the turn of the 20th century. Madama Butterfly is also known in the opera as Cio-Cio-San. When she “weds” B.F. Pinkerton, an American naval lieutenant, and converts to his religion, she is renounced and abandoned by her family.  She is a geisha and comes with the house he leases, but he has the option to cancel the whole arrangement on a month’s notice. His long-term plan is to take an American wife. Meanwhile, he enjoys bliss with Butterfly.

“Throughout the first Act,” I told my wife at dinner while sipping my Sangiovese, “I was thinking, ‘Cad! Cad!'”

Eventually, his ship departs, and he has the American consulate continue paying the rent. Three years later, Cio-Cio-San is running out of money. She spurns a marriage proposal from a wealthy Japanese man, certain of Pinkerton’s love and eventual return. Sure enough, his ship again sails into Nagasaki, but he has brought his American wife. He then learns that his Butterfly bore him a son. His American wife offers to raise the son as their own. Pinkerton is overcome by remorse and is unable to confront Cio-Cio-San. She gives up her son and commits jigai, the ritual suicide for  Japanese women which is performed by plunging a knife into the neck.

“Early in the third Act,” I told my wife, “I was thinking, ‘Coward! Coward!'” Later, Pinkerton even calls himself that. Puccini is just too much. The pathos is extraordinary. So—aaarrrgghhh!—yes, we’ll probably go again to another of his operas. But his heroines always seem to die in tragedy. “He who has lived for love, has died for love.”—from Il tabaro (The Cloak), 1918.

Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini, 1858-1924

Hmmm…today, I received a mailer showing that in August, the Seattle Opera will perform Puccini’s Turandot. Isn’t the fabulous, soaring tenor aria, “Nessun dorma” (“None Shall Sleep”), from that opera? I looked it up. Yes. And the Turandot orchestration calls for three trumpets in F and six onstage trumpets in B-Flat—how can I miss that? I am the moth drawn to the flame. In “Nessun dorma,” once again, Puccini makes one’s heart ache and eyes brim. Just watch and listen to Pavoritti sing this aria: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTFUM4Uh_6Y&feature=related.

Seattle performance photos are by Elise Bakketun, courtesy of the Seattle Opera. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

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Photo Gallery—5th through 9th Grade Bands in May Concert at Skyview Jr. High in Bothell

Posted by glennled on May 26, 2012

The two elementary bands were joined at their final concert of the 2011-12 school year by the 8th-9th grade band on 15 May at Skyview Jr. High School in Bothell. The elementary students come from Fernwood, Crystal Springs, and Canyon Creek elementary schools. The concert was conducted by Mr. Shawn McGinn, Director of Instrumental Music. I am his assistant for elementary brass instruction (trumpet, trombone, French horn, and baritone).  The concert left the parents, relatives and friends in the audience excited about the benefits to and growth of these kids through playing music! We hope many will go to a summer band camp. Here are selected photos from the concert. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

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“To the Color” at Pacific Little League Opening Day in Lynnwood

Posted by glennled on May 22, 2012

Imagine–it was Pacific Little League (PLL) Day on Saturday, 28 April, at Lynndale Park near Lynndale Elementary School. There were games, a fun Parade of Players onto Harry H. Moore Field, and a ceremony. The organizers honored the nation’s military during the ceremony by inviting all military personel (active, reserve, retired and veterans) to join the players on the field to honor and thank them for their service. “We want our players to understand how important these men and women are to us,” it said on the PLL website (see www.pacificlittleleague.com).

Seventeen military personel came onto the field and stood along the 3rd base line. The color guard of VFW Post 1040 of Lynnwood hoisted the American flag on the center field pole, as the post bugler (me) sounded the bugle call, “To the Color.” Jaymie Studioso then sang the “Star Spangled Banner,” and Captain Barry Crane, USN, gave the opening prayer. Capt. Crane is Deputy Region Chaplain for Navy Region Northwest and North Sound Church lead Pastor. The color guard of three veterans then joined their 17 comrades on the field.

Next, Capt. Crane assisted seven little league ball players in reading a tribute to military men and women written by Mike Schindler (see photos to left and below).  Spider Avdeyev read, “Only one percent of Americans answers the call to serve our country [in the military].” Nick Avdeyev read that the U.S. military is comprised of paid volunteers. Presley Denkinger read a tribute to the Army, our oldest military branch, responsible for land-based military operations since 1775. Gabe Avdeyev read about the Navy, the battle fleet tonnage of which is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. A statement about the Marine Corps, a Navy component which has served in every American armed conflict, was read by Jordan Sims. Then Baylor Denkinger read about the Air Force, the most recent military branch and the most technologically advanced air force in the world. Finally, Madi Sheldon read the tribute to the Coast Guard, our oldest continuous seagoing service, responsible for enforcing U.S. law in 3.4 million square miles of ocean.

Founded in 1965, the Pacific Little League now involves more than 800 boys and girls between 5-18 years old playing baseball and softball. In the past 48 years, this volunteer-based organization has provided services to over 20,000 boys and girls in the greater Edmonds/Lynnwood area, impacting an estimated 10,000 families. The Echelbarger Fieldhouse was built in 2000 with more than $300,000 in donated funds. Lights were added to Fields 1 and 2 in 2001, and to Field 3 in 2005. Ventilation, gas grills and ovens were added to the fieldhouse kitchen in 2005. The Pacific Little League paid for all facilities by “Capital Improvement Fundraising.” No taxpayer dollars were used. See www.pacificlittleleague.com for more information on the teams, divisions, tournaments, and game schedules.

Photos are courtesy of the Pacific Little League. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

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Teacher’s Satisfaction—One Trumpeter Promoted, Another Switches to Trombone

Posted by glennled on April 12, 2012

One of my private trumpet students just got promoted by the band director at Skyline Jr. High in Bothell to 2nd-year (6th grade) elementary band. She’s a 6th grader who just started band this year, so she’s been playing among 5th-graders in the 1st-year band. She’s advanced far enough on the fast track that she now belongs among her own age group. I recommended the promotion to the band director, and he accepted it.

Another 1st-year band trumpeter has been struggling with her tone (airy) and articulation (splatters). This week, I told her that because of her embouchure, I thought she might produce a better tone with sharper slotting on an instrument with a bigger mouthpiece. I asked her to try playing a trombone for me, and she was willing. So in a small practice room, she blew on a school-owned trombone—and out came some big, fat solid tones over a wide range. I called in the band director, and we were all so excited. Given a choice of baritone or trombone, she chose trombone.

And again, I experienced the teacher’s thrill—I helped two students get a taste of success.

Posted in Student Competitions, Honors & Awards | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Photo Gallery of April Band Concert at Skyview Jr. High in Bothell

Posted by glennled on April 7, 2012

Jazz combos played as the crowd seated itself in the gym at Skyview Jr. High School in Bothell last Tuesday night, 3 April. And the Jazz Band I finished the night’s concert with some high energy, big band sounds and solos. Sandwiched in between these two on the program were performances by the 1st-year (5th grade) and 2nd-year (6th grade) elementary bands and the 3rd-year (7th grade) junior high band. The concert left the parents, relatives and friends in the audience feeling very good about the strength and benefits of these kids being in band! Here are selected photos from the concert. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

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My Trumpet Student Plays in Seattle All-City Honors Elementary Band and Orchestra Concert

Posted by glennled on April 2, 2012

2012 Seattle All-City Honors Elementary Band

Last Saturday, another of my trumpet students played in the annual concert performed by the Seattle Public Schools’ All-City Honors Elementary Band and Orchestra. This year it was held at Chief Sealth International High School in West Seattle. He’s now a 5th-grader at Lawton Elementary School where Lindsey Dustin is band director (see my blog posts of 17 February 2012 and 14 November 2010). Next fall, he plans to attend Hamilton International Middle School in Wallingford.

The 123-member band representing 41 schools packed the large stage, and the auditorium was almost full, too, with parents, relatives, friends and a few tutors like me. He was one of only 18 trumpet players in the 2012 honors band. Think of that—one of the best 5th grade trumpeters in Seattle Public Schools—that’s impressive! The band’s guest conductor was Marcus Pimpleton, a 2002 graduate of the University of Washington who now serves as music department head at Denny International Middle School, Chief Sealth International High School, and the Seattle Schools All-City Marching Band. Mr. Pimpleton was a drum major with the UW Husky Marching Band (see http://www.huskymarchingband.com/). He now has a Master’s in Theology and a Doctorate in Religious Education from Bishop A.L. Hardy Academy of Theology in Seattle.

Part of the 18-member trumpet section

The talented honors band sounded very solid when playing three pieces: “Oxford Overture,” “I’m An Old Cowhand,” and “A Little Cha-Cha Music.” The Honors Orchestra was conducted by Heather Shaffer, who is Director of Orchestras at Denny and Sealth. They played “Hunter’s Chorus,” “Jamaican Spice,” and “Legend of Dark Mountain.” At this level, the orchestra is comprised solely of strings. There were 88 students representing 32 schools—a great honor, indeed!

Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

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Trumpeters Among Those Featured at Popular Kamiakin Community Concert

Posted by glennled on March 29, 2012

Grandfather and grandsons form the Brass Trio, playing "The Victors" march

Every four years, there’s a presidential election. Every four years, there is a Community Band Concert at Kamiakin Jr. High in Kirkland. Ward Brannman, Director of Bands, says he started these special concerts in 1986, as a means of involving his band students with musicians in their own families, school alumni, and the local community.

The concert opened with The Washover Fans, a folk music quartet, and closed with Curb Appeal, a 6-member rock and roll band. Kamiakin’s speech pathologist, plays in the former, and Kamiakin’s registrar, plays and sings in the latter. See www.thewashoverfans.com and www.wearecurbappeal.com.

The school’s Jazz Ensemble and three bands performed: Concert Band (7th grade), Symphonic Band (8th grade), and Wind Ensemble (9th grade). In between their performances, four other groups played and sang, including the Zydeco Trio (“It’s So Hard to Stop”) and Brass Trio (“The Victors”).

Two audience members join Zydeco Trio and Ward Brannman in playing "It's So Hard to Stop"

Trumpeters were featured in the Jazz Ensemble (“Take Me Out to the Ball Game”), Symphonic Band (“Overture on a Shaker Tune”), and Brass Trio (two trumpets, one trombone). Mr. Brannman said the Zydeco Trio and Brass Trio epitomize the purpose of this concert. Two members of the Zydeco Trio are fathers of band members. One trumpeter in the Brass Trio plays in the Wind Ensemble, and his younger brother, the trombonist, plays in the Beginning Band. The second trumpeter is their grandfather!

One of my trumpet students was the featured soloist in the Shaker tune overture! She is the principal of the trumpet section, and Mr. Brannman awarded her a Certificate of Achievement for the 3rd quarter of this school year (see photos). Incidentally, he also received an award this year: he was named Middle School/Junior High Music Educator of the Year by the Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA) at its annual state conference in February.

Kids and adults dance to "Don't Stop Believing" played by Curb Appeal

Seth Kuhns, Kamiakin alum, attended the concert to hear the premier performance of his composition, “Like Yesterday,” by the Wind Ensemble. It was commissioned by last year’s Wind Ensemble.

The concert closed with kids and adults dancing in a massive huddle on the gym floor as Curb Appeal played the ever-popular song, “Don’t Stop Believing.”

Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

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Stellar Mid-Winter Concert by Three Bands at Kenmore Jr. High

Posted by glennled on March 16, 2012

Symphonic Band, Kenmore Jr. High, 79 members

I had heard about the exceptionally strong music program at Kenmore Jr. High, and on 14 March, I heard with my own ears what the fuss is all about—an outstanding school concert, loaded with young star musicians, including a trumpet player whom I tutor! [See my blog post of 13 November 2010, for more about this student.]

Almost 200 students comprise the three bands and seven ensembles which performed under the leadership of Debbie Montague, Ph.D., Director of Instrumental Music. Her command and control were flawless, and the music she selected was challenging and entertaining. She attracts and produces high-achievers. Consistently, many of her students are winners in various band and ensemble competitions. She says that in band, they learn not only music but also concentration and responsibility. Those are great character traits to carry with them into Inglemoor High School and beyond.

The Symphonic Band supplied the peak performance of the evening, playing Triumphant Fanfare by Richard Saucedo; On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss by David R. Holsinger; and Earthdance by Michael Sweeney.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

The Symphonic Band is participating in the prestigious Festival of Gold at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County, Los Angeles, CA, 30 March-3 April. This festival combines with the Festival at Carnegie Hall to create the Elite Performance Series. Only ensembles that have received a Gold rating at a WorldStrides Heritage music festival or regional festival are accepted into Festival of Gold. The Honor Concert culminates the festival weekend and features the highest scoring ensembles of the festival.

See www.scfta.org and http://www.worldstridesheritageperformance.org/fog/festival_of_gold.php.

As part of the remodeling project now underway at Kenmore Jr. High, a new band room is being readied for use late this school year. It will include a built-in recording system to record the bands and various music groups.

Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

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9th Grade Trumpeter Making a Comeback Towards Rejoining Band

Posted by glennled on March 12, 2012

Lots of people start band and drop out, only to regret it in later years. My 19th trumpet student did just that—dropped out after his first year in band when he was a 5th grader at John Muir Elementary School. Now he’s a 9th grader at Kamiakin Junior High in Kirkland, and his goal is to join the band next year as a sophomore at Juanita High School. He’s given himself one year to catch up and be ready. It’s a rare, ambitious attempt. So far, so good.

Last September at the start of the new school year, he found himself eating lunch alone—all his best friends were in band rehearsal during his lunch period. Well then, rejoin band, his mother suggested. “Ok, I’ll try,” was his response.

His mom contacted the high school band director, Mariko Lane, to determine whether she would accept him into band. Yes! Kids join at all levels of performance, she said enthusiastically. She then advised him to stay with his original instrument, the trumpet, and to find a good tutor right away. In our first meeting, I listened to the story of why he quit and why he wants to start again. I wondered, is this his goal or someone else’s? Is this realistic or just a pipe dream? So I grilled him thoroughly with tough questions and provactive comments, giving him every opportunity to drop the idea or select a different tutor. But he stayed cool and stood fast, which pleased me, so we embarked on the challenge together.

Our first weekly lesson was on 3 November 2011. They ordered the instruction book I prefer for beginners, “Progressive Trumpet,” by Peter Gelling. It happened to be out of stock in local music stores and took a few weeks to arrive on special order. Why is this important? Because he is now finishing that book after about only three and a half months! A fifth grader takes much longer. He is now more mature, he is more dedicated, he has more self-discipline–in other words, he practices regularly! He works at it, so he’s on the fast track. It’s that simple. But simple is not always easy, is it? Simple can be the most difficult.

What does he think of his progress so far? “It’s more possible than I originally thought,” he said. Yes, it is. He has finished the first instruction book faster than any of my other students. When he finishes the second book, he’ll be ready to join high school band. Immediately, he’ll have to learn to march while playing. Then he’ll get three, fun, high school band years full of wonderful, lifelong memories with his friends—just by playing music, and that’s fun in itself. It’s one of those things that’s better “The Second Time Around.”

Posted in New Students - Intro Posts | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

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