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.

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