What a day! First, 19 March 2026 was the first time I’d ever performed for Boulevard Park Place (BPP) residents in Burien. Second, I got to perform my trumpet show, “St. Patrick’s Day Celebration” on the actual St. Patrick’s Day. Third, this is the 30th anniversary year for BPP—1996-2026—congratulations! And fourth, this was the 40th retirement community where I have performed in the Greater Seattle area since I started doing this in 2018. Wow! Makes me aim for 50.
This show is comprised of 26 Irish ballads, jigs and reels plus ten Irish jokes, two riddles and one limerick. The audience sings along (and hums) to these favorites, “My Wild Irish Rose,” “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary,” “Too-ra-Loo-ra-Loo-ral,” “Red Is the Rose,” “Danny Boy,” “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling,” and 20 more. I provided a handout with the lyrics to seven of the most popular songs. In this show, I play four horns: cornet, flugelhorn, pocket trumpet, and trumpet, and I use different mouthpieces and mutes to produce various sounds.
There are two songs deserving of special comment here: “The Wearing of the Green” and “Down by the Salley Gardens.” The first is about how the British crushed the Irish Rebellion of 1798. It was against the law, punishable by death, to wear the Irish national color, green. The first verse ends, “…they’re hanging men and women there for wearing of the green.”
The second is a poem by William Butler Yeats that was published in 1889. It was set to music in 1909 [the year my Daddy was born]. “Salley Gardens” refers to a place where broad-leafed willows grow. It was there that a young man, eager to make love, was cautioned by a young girl to slow down. Here are two excerpts from the song: “…She bid me take love easy, as the leaves grow on the tree; But I, being young and foolish, with her would not agree…She bid me take life easy, as the grass grows on the weirs; But I was young and foolish, and now am full of tears.”
The residents have formed a choir called the BBP Singers. With her guitar, the choir director is both a singer and accompanist. They sang Irish songs for about 15 minutes in the beautifully decorated room.
Boulevard Park Place, Burien
Every retirement community is unique but usually in different ways. BPP is the first family-owned retirement community where I’ve performed. I spoke with the owner who said this was his dad’s dream. He’s a builder, from a family of builders, and they built it themselves, on a hillside, no less. BPP is an age-55+ community where “residents enjoy cooking their own meals in their own kitchens while enjoying the freedom from other responsibilities of home ownership.” There is no dining room where residents gather daily in common for meals that are cooked and served by staff. But in the main building, there is a large meeting room with a big adjacent kitchen where periodic events are held, and that’s where I performed. Residents simply sign a month-to-month rental agreement—“no financial disclosures, income qualifications, second-person charge, long-term leases, or contracts.” All the building maintenance and yard work is done by management. It’s all aimed at giving residents the freedom and independence to choose their own daily activities, make friends, and live active, enriching lives.
Some photos are courtesy of BPP. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.
This year, Alderwood Community Church (ACC) presented its 32nd Christmas musical—-“Christmas in the Bubbleator.” The Bubbleator was a spherical elevator in a building at the Century 21 World’s Fair in Seattle in 1962. (I graduated from the University of Washington that summer, and I rode in the Bubbleator with my parents from Texas.) Five performances produced a total attendance of about 2,800 during 6, 7, 8 December. For the second time, the church had commissioned Matthew Wilson to write a play. The first one was his “New Life of the Land” which also debuted at ACC (use the Archives column on the left to see my post of 13 December 2017). This one is the sequel to that.
The play takes place in the span of only about two hours on Christmas Eve of 1961, about three months prior to the opening of the World’s Fair. The main character is a high school girl from Alderwood Manor (which was by then part of the new city, Lynnwood). She has applied for a job as a Bubblelator operator, posing as “Jacqueline Clarington,” the daughter of a wealthy San Francisco family. She dreams of living that Big City lifestyle in the future, and this job is to be a first step in that direction (use the Archives column on the left to see my post of 13 December 2017).
In fact, she is actually Barbara Beck, the granddaughter of John and Margaret Beck, chicken farmers from Alderwood Manor. When she had applied earlier using her real name and address, Barbara received a rejection letter. But as Jacqueline Clarington from San Francisco, she is virtually already hired after she had an exaggerated, demonstrative interview with the Fair Director. Her grandparents spoiled her imaginative but devious plan. She is stricken by their honesty, goodwill, and love of her, and her conscience compels her to expose her fraud in a late confession to the Fair Director. “Everything I’ve told you is a lie. I wanted to be part of something great, but tonight, I realize that I already am. Oh…Merry Christmas!” The three of them leave the fairgrounds and return to reality—family and church back in Alderwood Manor. To see a high quality video of this entire Christmas show, produced by Monique Anderson for ACC, please see https://vimeo.com/380922775/85e704f214.
The 22-member orchestra, 55-member choir and The Evergreens combo (vocalist, saxophone and vocalist, lead guitar, and bass guitar) performed numerous pieces of music before, during and after the show. The brass section was comprised of three trumpets, three trombones, and one French horn.
Photos are courtesy of Alderwood Community Church. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.
The Birth of Jesus Christ
ACC Orchestra
ACC Choir
Linda Collins, 32nd ACC Christmas Production, 2019
Annually, Cottage Lake Elementary School (CLES) in Woodinville presents an exceptional Veterans Day Ceremony, and for the second year in a row, I had the privilege of sounding “Taps” near the end of the program on 12 November. That was immediately followed by the flag-folding ceremony. Brigadier General Raymond W. Coffey, U.S. Army Volunteer Reserve (USAVR), who was emcee of and principal speaker at the ceremony, read a script explaining the symbolic meaning of each of the 13 folds. Please see https://www.ushistory.org/betsy/more/folds.htm.
The principal of CLES is Jennifer Welch, and the chief organizer of this event was Kelsey Brady, music teacher. She played the piano and conducted the school choir in a number of patriotic songs. Students conducted the White Table Ceremony (aka Missing Man Table, Fallen Comrade Table, Fallen Soldier Table, POW/MIA Remembrance Table, and POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony). Please see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_man_table.
About 20 veterans, most wearing clothes that identified them with their military service, were honored by the school and the large audience of parents, relatives and friends. These vets have children or grandchildren who attend CLES. In addition to “Taps,” I sounded two other calls on my gorgeous Getzen bugle—“Assembly” and “To the Color.”
Please use the Archives column (left) to find the article of 18 December 2018 and read about and see many photos of last year’s ceremony.
Now and then, a song will pluck your heart strings in a special way. That happened to me when I first heard “We Honor You” by Roger Emerson, a prolific, award-winning composer and arranger of choral music with over 900 titles in print and 30,000 copies in circulation. He wrote this song in 2016 and told me, “I have always felt a huge debt to those who fought our wars.”
“Taps,” alongside the CSES 4th grade choir
I was at Crystal Springs Elementary School (CSES) in Bothell to sound “Taps” at the close of two school assemblies on 8 November. At 9:40 a.m., the K, 3rd, and 4th grade choirs performed, and at 10:25 the 1st, 2nd, and 5th grade choirs did so, under the direction of Jane Lin, general music teacher. It was the 4th graders who sang “We Honor You.”
Afterwards, I emailed Mr. Emerson (please see http://www.rogeremerson.com) in appreciation of his words and music: “I’m a VFW Bugler and play various calls at many military ceremonies and funerals. I’ll admit that it now takes something unique to move my heart strings. Last Friday…I heard ‘We Honor You’ for the first time. I am a Vietnam vet. The young voices of the 4th grade choir singing your song really got to me. They sang with innocent voices about things they never experienced but I did. They have the freedom we fought for.”
Ms. Lin’s programs were unabashedly chocked full of patriotism. A Cub Scout Color Guard presented the flags, and the kids and the audience of about 300 parents, relatives and friends stood with hands over their hearts, reciting “The Pledge of Allegiance.” Altogether, counting both assemblies, the choirs sang 11 different songs:
Jane Lin and Glenn Ledbetter
I Love America
The Great Defenders
One Nation
We Won’t Forget
On Veterans Day
We Honor You
Thankful for the USA
Thank you to Our Veterans
Grand Old Flag
Thinking of You
Hallelujah (Veterans version), accompanied on guitar by Collin Sarchin, CSES general music teacher
The well-organized programs moved along smoothly and timely. The choirs were well-dressed and well-rehearsed. Their movements were well-choreographed. They sang with feeling, precision, and fun. They spoke and read their parts nicely. Everyone knew what was next, and they were ready for their turn on the program. They were engaged—not bored and drifting. And they clearly loved their leader. The sound system, slide show, and light controls functioned perfectly. If this were a military unit, we would say they were proud and ready. And so was I when I sounded “Taps” for them on my beautiful Getzen bugle—twice!
Please click on any photo to enlarge it. The video is courtesy of Jane Lin, Crystal Springs Elementary School.
First music concert at the new North Creek High School, Bothell, 7 December 2017
Pearl Harbor Day—that’s what I first think of when I hear the date, 7 Dec. But that was 1941, and on that date in 2017, people with kids in the band, orchestra, and choir at the new North Creek High School (NCHS) in Bothell will also remember it as the date when NCHS held its very first music concert. And I shall remember the concert for yet another reason—9 of my former students played their instruments that night in the Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble.
Trumpeter and guitari
Of the six trumpet players in Symphonic Band, I taught five of them at Skyview Jr. High School and gave three of them private lessons. Of the two trumpeters in Jazz Band, I gave one of them private lessons. Of the five trumpet players in Wind Ensemble, I taught one of them both in private lessons and classes at Skyview. He now plays guitar in Jazz Band and trumpet in Wind Ensemble. In fact, he played a solo during “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” by the Jazz Band.
Since then, three of my ex-students have switched to other instruments: one to oboe, one to French horn, and one to tuba.
Dr. Debbie Montague, NCHS Director of Instrumental Music
Listening to the excellent instrumental music, conducted by Debbie Montague, Ph.D., Director of Instrumental Music, I was very proud of my ex-students’ progress. They have much more to anticipate under her tutelage. Dr. Montague came to NCHS from Kenmore Jr. High School, where she had developed an outstanding program. Her Symphonic Bands at KJHS performed throughout the USA, including the National Conference for Music Educators (2002) and at multiple Festivals of Gold, which are high school festivals by invitation. I’ve blogged about this twice—please see my posts of 16 March 2012 and 13 November 2010. Dr. Montague is a member of the Washington Music Educators’ Hall of Fame (www.wmea.org).
She believes in education of the whole child and advocates “hands-on, activity-based music curriculum for all children.” Also, she has considerable accomplishments in African ensemble music.
But this concert was not all about trumpets and other wind instruments, bands, and ensembles. The orchestra and several choirs performed excellently, too. Terresa (Terry) Sullivan, Director of Choral Music, conducted five choirs, singing eight pieces. Ms. Sullivan came to NCHS from Inglemoor High School in Kenmore, where she was both Choir Director and Music Department Chair (see my post of 29 April 2015). The Combined Choir closed with “Carol of the Bells.” The orchestra, conducted by Dr. Montague, played two pieces led by the concertmaster, who is a member of the All-State Orchestra.
The final group to perform was the Wind Ensemble. “A Christmas Flourish” was their first piece, and they concluded the concert with “African Holy Night.”
Right to Left: 2017 NSD Honor Band, Choir and Orchestra
Almost 300 6th-grade, honor musicians from 20 elementary schools in the Northshore School District performed for a packed audience of parents, relatives and friends at Northshore Jr. High School in Kirkland on 15 February 2017. First, Robin Enders conducted the 96-member Honor Orchestra, then Melissa Headrick conducted the 95-member Honor Choir, and finally, Kate Labiak conducted the 98-member Honor Band.
The orchestra played three pieces, finishing with the Finale from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, arranged by Richard Meyer. The choir performed four songs, including the very entertaining “Jim-Along Josie,” an American folk song arranged by Reginald Unterseher. The band also performed four pieces, concluding with “Dance Celebration” by Robert W. Smith.
As you know, I teach beginning brass at Skyview Jr. High School; i.e., 5th and 6th grade elementary brass players who come to Skyview and rehearse from 7:50 to 8:25 a.m. five days every week under the guidance of Charlie Fix, Director of Orchestra and Band at Skyview. This year, he selected five of my trumpet players and two of my trombone players to make Honor Band! And, in addition, this is a first—two of our trumpet players and one of our trombone players made Honor Choir!
Enders is Director of Orchestras at Explorer Middle School and Mariner High School in the Mukilteo School District. Her middle school orchestra was a national award winner in 2015. She has been a violin coach with the Cascade Youth Symphony Orchestras. Headrick teaches at Wilder Elementary School in the Lake Washington School District, among many other music leadership activities. Labiak teaches instrumental music at College Place Middle School in Edmonds School District. She also leads many music activities, including conducting one of the four orchestras (Symphonette Orchestra) with the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras program since 2003.
Please click on any photo to enlarge it.
2017 NSD Honor Band
Ted Christensen, NSD Music Coordinator
Kate Labiak, 2017 NSD Honor Band Conductor
2017 NSD Music Educators, 5th-9th Grade Levels
Northshore Jr. High School
Melissa Headrick conducts 2017 NSD Honor Choir
Robin Enders conducts 2017 NSD Honor Orchestra (L)
Three hundred and thirty-three students from the Northshore School District made the Honors Orchestra, Choir and Band this year and played a concert for their parents, relatives, teachers, and friends at Northshore Jr. High School in Bothell on 9 February. And among them, three (~1%) are my students in elementary band at Skyview Jr. High—one trumpeter, one baritonist, and one trombonist. I’m in my fifth year as a para-professional teacher of beginning brass for fifth and sixth graders who come to Skyview from Crystal Springs, Canyon Creek, and Fernwood elementary schools for classes each week.
Guest conductors were Eileen Treusch (orchestra), Darcy Morrissey (choir), and Frank Halferty (band). The program allotted four pieces to the orchestra, five to the choir, and three to the band. If this were a contest instead of a concert and if I were an adjudicator, I would give the “Best Performance Award” to Darcy Morrissey and her choir. The orchestra was 111 members strong, but the choir was even larger: 128! And the band was 96; that’s a big band, too. I wonder what percentage of the band students are taking private lessons—20%, 10%, 5%? That’s how you “Become your Best” (my motto). And that’s how you eventually make Washington State Band in high school.
Please click on any photo to enlarge it.
Honors Orchestra (L)
Honors Orchestra (R)
Honors Choir
Ted Christensen (R), NSD Music Coordinator
Music Directors from five NSD junior high schools
Honors Band
Honors Band (L)
Honors Band (R)
Trumpeters
Trumpeters
Trumpeters
Trumpeters and Baritonists
Baritonist from Canyon Creek Elementary School
Baritonist from Canyon Creek Elem School
Trombonists
Trombonist from Crystal Springs Elementary School
Trombonist from Crystal Springs Elem School
Trumpeter from Crystal Springs Elementary School
Trumpeter (R) from Crystal Springs Elem School
Tenor Saxophonist from Canyon Creek Elementary School
Charlie Fix, Orchestra and Band Director, Skyview Jr. High School
She started trumpet lessons with me in 2009—six years ago—and thus became my fifth private student. Now she’s a senior at Juanita High School in Kirkland and made the High School Honor Band in the Lake Washington School District (LWSD). Her plans are to study music education at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, starting in fall, 2016. I’m proud of her—Sarah Dunsmore.
On 3 November, she played in the LWSD Honor Concert at Redmond High School. There were 8 trumpeters–three from Juanita, two from Redmond, two from Lake Washington, and one from Eastlake high schools. The band’s guest conductor was Dr. Christopher Bianco, who is the Department Chair, Associate Professor, Director of Bands and Brass at Western Washington University (WWU) in Bellingham. The 59-member Honor Band played three pieces to conclude the concert:
Festive Overture by Shostakovich, arr. Hunsberger
Irish Tune from Country Derry by Percy Grainger,
Joy Revisted by Frank Ticheli
The 58-member Honor Orchestra opened the concert with Dr. Ryan Dudenbostel conducting. He is Director of Orchestral Studies at WWU. Next came the Honor Choir, comprised of 37 members who were conducted by Dr. Geoffrey Boers, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Washington.
Please click on any photo to enlarge it.
Dr. Chris Bianco, Western Washington University
Dr. Chris Bianco, WWU, conducts LWSD Honor Band
LWSD Honor Orchestra (R), Honor Band (Center), and Honor Choir (L), 2015-16
LWSD Honor Orchestra, 2015-16
LWSD Honor Orchestra (R) and Honor Band (L), 2015-16
My 20th trumpet student, a 6th-grader in 1st-year band, took private lessons from me for a few months starting on 8 November 2010. Apparently, she has a great voice, because she made the Northshore School District’s Honors Choir in 2011. And when she had to register for 7th grade classes at Skyview Jr. High School in Bothell, she chose choir, not band.
Today, when I was compiling a list of all my trumpet students since 2009, I found I’d never written a blog post here about her…until now. She must have been “out of sight, out of mind.”
She had come to a fork in the road, and “now she’s gone, gone, gone, o-o-o-o-oh.” Just kidding. Best wishes for the Good Life, Young Lady! See you in the movies.
2015 NSD 6th Grade Honors Orchestra (left), Choir (center), and Band (right)
In a stellar performance, three honors groups—the best NSD musicians of 2015—entertained a packed house at Northshore Junior High School in Bothell on 10 February at the annual Northshore School District’s (NSD’s) Sixth Grade Honors Concert.
NSD 6th Grade Honors Band (right), Choir (center), and Orchestra (left)
First was the Honors Orchestra, conducted by Jim Rice of Inglemoor High School. Next was the Honors Choir, conducted by Kyra Renstorf of Woodinville High School and Leota Junior High School. Finally was the Honors Band, conducted by Janie McDavid of Shelton View Elementary and Kenmore Junior High School. [Incidentally, Mrs. McDavid’s husband is Dr. Brad McDavid, Director of Athletic Bands, University of Washington, who is featured in numerous posts in this blog.] Each group performed four pieces. The program was emceed by Ted Christensen of Inglemoor High School (IHS), who is Music Coordinator for the Northshore School District. This is his 32nd year at IHS.
Below is a gallery of photos from the concert. As usual in this blog, I highlight trumpeters in the band, three of whom I teach at Skyview Jr. High School in Bothell. In all, Skyview contributed 12 musicians to the Honors Band. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.
![maxresdefault[1]](https://i0.wp.com/glennstrumpetnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/maxresdefault1.jpg?w=168&h=243&ssl=1 "maxresdefault[1]")
ensembles. The orchestra and several choirs performed excellently, too. Terresa (Terry) Sullivan, Director of Choral Music, conducted five choirs, singing eight pieces. Ms. Sullivan came to NCHS from Inglemoor High School in Kenmore, where she was both Choir Director and Music Department Chair (see my post of 29 April 2015). The Combined Choir closed with “Carol of the Bells.” The orchestra, conducted by Dr. Montague, played two pieces led by the concertmaster, who is a member of the All-State Orchestra.
Glenn's Trumpet Notes 