ITG 2012 Perspective

Posted on 29. May, 2012 by Raquel in ITG, News

Raquel Rodriquez, 2012 ITG Cornet Lecture Recital Presentation. Photo by Michael Anderson.

Just got back from a great International Trumpet Guild (ITG) Conference in Columbus, Georgia. It was a great conference filled with great performances and great people! I had previously attended 2 other conferences (1995 & 2003 – one day at each) while a student, but this was the first time I attended  for the entire duration.  It is a great event that every trumpet student/teacher/performer should attend as it is completely geared to educate, inspire, and present an avenue in which to meet and connect with people of similar passions. Next year’s conference is in Michigan(June 11-15) and the website is already up: http://www.gvsu.edu/itg2013/

I decided to drive to the conference as it was only about a 7 hour drive from Lexington, KY. I also had to take a few horns, etc because I had the incredible honor of presenting a lecture recital. I left on Monday in order to be there on Tuesday to judge the youth solo competition. The drive was nice, Tennessee was especially beautiful with the Smoky Mountains in the distance. I had a great time judging the talented (ages 14-17) high school students with Marc Reese and Aaron Witek.  Afterwards, I found my awesome accompanist Caryl W. Conger to rehearse the 4 cornet pieces I would be performing the next day. She did an incredible job as I was one of many that she played for at the conference. It was a pleasure collaborating with her and the 1 hour rehearsal was all that we needed. After the rehearsal, I traveled to the Atlanta airport (about 2 hrs away) to pick up my BFF Andrea Adams. We are pretty inseparable and she makes everything much more fun, I look forward to many more adventures with her!

The next day(Wednesday), I presented my lecture recital. It dealt with the cornet music of Herman Bellstedt and Frank Simon and their contributions to the Cincinnati area. I felt it went well and I was happy with the response. I always thought that it would be nerve wracking to perform at ITG and in front of all trumpet players, but it wasn’t as bad as I previously thought. It helps going in with good preparation and being passionate about what you are presenting. Honesty always comes out of the bell.

Cincinnati Virtuosity – The Music of Herman Bellstedt and Frank Simon
International Trumpet Guild Conference – Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Studio Theater, 5pm – Columbus State University

Willow Echoes (1920) ………………………………………….. Frank Simon (1889-1967)

Princess Alice (1932)……………………………………… Herman Bellstedt (1858-1926)

Miss Blue Bonnet (1932)………………………………………. Frank Simon (1889-1967)

Fantasia No. 1 (1942)…………..…………………………… Herman Bellstedt (1858-1926)

Equipment Used: Bach 184ML cornet, Denis Wick 4B mouthpiece

Lecture Recital pics

Thursday and Friday consisted of attending great concerts and clinics, having lunch/dinner with friends, and taking some video for some upcoming submissions to the ITG Video page. In addition, Kelly Rossum took some amazing video footage of the New Works Recital that will available soon. Thanks Kelly!

I wasn’t able to attend everything but the things I did attend and that inspired me were H.M. Lewis’ cornet/trumpet lecture recital; Kelly Rossum and Judith Saxton’s performance at the New Works  Recital, the Univ. of Alabama trumpet ensemble performance, Victor Silverstone/Eric Berlin/RonRomm performance with orchestra, Michael Martin cornet performance, Iowa Brass Trio performance at New Works Recital, Rob Murray/Lauren Murray/Marvin Stamm performance, and many jazz performances that are too numerous to list. I should add that Rob and Lauren Murray did an incredible job of hosting a great event, bravo!

A memorable evening for me was the Keith Johnson reception on Friday night. Keith Johnson was my trumpet teacher at the University of North Texas and whom I attribute a large part of any success I have had in the music world. He taught me so much about playing the trumpet, but more importantly, he taught me how to be a better person. I have the utmost respect for Mr. Johnson and I am so honored to have studied with him. He received the ITG Award of Merit this year, and it was very much deserved.

I have included some pics of my experience at the conference, I can’t wait until the next one. I will be attending the International Womens Brass Conference (IWBC) next week, please check back as I will write about my experience there as well!

Me and Andrea with Doc, Ron Romm, Keith Johnson, and Peter Pickett.

Keith Johnson with former UNT Students