Brass

Trumpet Studio

UK has a long history of excellence in trumpet. UK has twice hosted the International Trumpet Guild Conference, first in 1982 (Vince DiMartino, host) and again in 1998 (Terry Everson, host). The UK Trumpet Ensemble has taken first prize at the National Trumpet Competition (2004) (and second prize in 2016) and has also performed at the International Trumpet Guild Conference (2009). UK graduate student Phillip Chase Hawkins was awarded first prize in the National Trumpet Competition's Graduate Solo Division in 2012. Dr. Jason Dovel, UK trumpet faculty, joined UK in 2013 after establishing a large, dynamic trumpet program in Oklahoma at Northeastern State University. New in 2017, UK will offer a Certificate in Baroque Trumpet to prepare students for trailblazing opportunities in the rapidly growing field of Baroque trumpet performance, a field that is already widespread in most European countries and seeing increasing demand in the United States.

Dovel's teaching and performing interests are quite broad. His creative activities range from playing Baroque trumpet and Renaissance cornetto to performing avant-garde contemporary music. In 2010, he toured nationally as a Baroque trumpet and cornetto soloist, and the following year, he presented a concert tour of music for trumpet and computer. In 2012, Dovel published the only anthology of music for trumpet and computer in the article, "A Guide to Literature for Trumpet with Electroacoustic Accompaniment" in the International Trumpet Guild Journal. Dovel encourages students' pursuits of all aspects of music and encourages them to seek a well-rounded musical education.

Check below for information on audition requirements for both Undergraduate and Graduate Applicants, baroque trumpet opportunities, special classes with guest artist, and more.

See the Trumpet Ensemble page if you are interested in performing with a student group - open to all UK students by audition, regardless of major or minor!

Check Out the Trumpet Alumni

Trumpet Audition Requirements

Undergraduate Auditions

Students wishing to gain admittance into undergraduate programs with a concentration in Trumpet should be prepared to present the following material in an audition:

Two contrasting works that demonstrate your ability technically and musically. One of these can be your All-State or District solo.
Major and Chromatic Scales as requested.
Possible Sight Reading.
Any additional material that you feel exemplifies your musicianship and versatility. (i.e. excerpts, jazz etc.)

Please direct any questions to: jason.dovel@uky.edu

Masters Auditions

Students wishing to gain admittance into the Master of Music program with a concentration in Trumpet should be prepared to present the following material in an audition:

A 15-20 minute audition consisting of repertoire that demonstrates your ability technically and musically.
At least two contrasting solo works. (Single movements from larger works are acceptable.)
At least three standard orchestral excerpts. (Students interested in a jazz emphasis may substitute a transcription and demonstration of jazz improvisation in lieu of orchestral excerpts.)

It is recommended (not required) that you select from the following orchestral excerpts:

Beethoven – Leonore Overture (2 and 3)
Mussorgsky – Pictures at an Exhibition (Promenade)
Respighi – Pines of Rome (off-stage solo)
Stravinsky - Petrushka (Ballerina’s Dance)
Mahler – Symphony No. 5

You may also feel free to play any additional material that exemplifies your musicianship and versatility. (i.e. jazz improvisation, lead trumpet, baroque trumpet, etc.)
Piano accompaniment is not required.
There may be sight reading.

Please direct any questions to: jason.dovel@uky.edu

Doctoral Auditions

Students wishing to gain admittance into doctoral level programs with a concentration in Trumpet should be prepared to present the following material in an audition:

A 20-30 minute audition consisting of repertoire that demonstrates your ability technically and musically.
At least three contrasting solo works. (Single movements from larger works are acceptable.)
At least three standard orchestral excerpts. It is recommended (not required) that you select from the following orchestral excerpts:
- Beethoven – Leonore Overture (2 and 3)
- Mussorgsky – Pictures at an Exhibition (Promenade)
- Respighi – Pines of Rome (off-stage solo)
- Stravinsky - Petrushka (Ballerina’s Dance)
- Mahler – Symphony No. 5 (opening solo)

Please direct any questions to: jason.dovel@uky.edu

Baroque Trumpet

The Baroque (or "natural") trumpet is the valveless ancestor of the modern trumpet. The University of Kentucky is one of the few universities in the country that offers early brass opportunities to its students. A Certificate in Baroque Trumpet is now available for those wishing to specialize their brass education. Students who are interested may check out a Baroque trumpet and receive private instruction. Students should notify Dr. Dovel early in the semester about their interest in early music, as a limited number of instruments are available.

Listen to the UK Baroque Trumpet Ensemble perform David Buhl's Military Fanfare on YouTube.

Students who are studying Baroque trumpet are expected to have a copy of Ed Tarr's The Art of the Baroque Trumpet Playing, Volume One and bring it to each of their lessons. This book is available for purchase at the Baroque Trumpet Shop.

Required Text: Ed Tarr, The Art of Baroque Trumpet Playing, Vol 1

Students participating in Baroque Trumpet Ensemble should enroll in MUC 171: Baroque Trumpet Ensemble.

Students taking private lessons should sign up for one of the following courses:

Undergraduate:
MUP 322 Section 001 - HISTORICAL INSTRUMENTS: BAROQUE TRUMPET
or
MUP 422 Section 001 - HISTORICAL INSTRUMENTS: BAROQUE TRUMPET

Graduate:
MUP 522 Section 001 - HISTORICAL INSTRUMENTS: BAROQUE TRUMPET
or
MUP 622 Section 001 - HISTORICAL INSTRUMENTS: BAROQUE TRUMPET

Serious students who are interested in the Renaissance cornetto may also incorporate study on that instrument into their private lessons. The cornetto is a hybrid instrument, with a wooden body similar to that of a recorder and a trumpet-like mouthpiece. The cornetto (Italian) is also know as the cornett (English) and the zink (German). Currently, UK does not own any cornetti, so interested students must provide their own instruments.

NEW! Certificate in Baroque Trumpet

Trumpet Special Classes

No upcoming special classes at this time.

Trumpet Teaching Assistants

Steve Siegel
UK Trumpet Teaching Assistant
Website

Emerging nationally as a performer and teacher, Steve Siegel is Visiting Instructor of Music in Trumpet at Centre College in Danville, KY. He is also a doctoral teaching assistant at the University of Kentucky (UK), where he is pursuing a DMA in trumpet performance. At UK, he teaches applied lessons to classical and jazz trumpeters, instructs the brass methods course, and serves as assistant conductor of the UK Trumpet Ensemble.

Mr. Siegel enjoys a busy performing schedule in both classical and commercial settings. As an orchestral player, he has performed with the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra and is currently principal trumpet of the UK Symphony Orchestra. He is also solo cornet with the award-winning Lexington Brass Band, 2nd trumpet in the UK Faculty Brass Quintet, and is a member of the UK Baroque Trumpet Ensemble. As a jazz player, he has performed with the DiMartino/Osland Jazz Orchestra (DOJO), the Bluegrass Area Jazz Ambassadors (BAJA), M-City Jazz, and is currently lead trumpet with the UK Jazz Ensemble. In addition to jazz, he has performed in numerous pit orchestras for professional and community groups including, Heritage Theatre Festival, the Alliance Theatre, and Theatre Works Community Players.

Prior to teaching at the university level, Mr. Siegel was a high school band director for three years in Henry County, VA. During this time, he taught the marching band, jazz band, concert band, music theory, and percussion ensemble. Under his direction, his concert and marching ensembles won first prize awards at numerous competitions.

Mr. Siegel is thankful for the wonderful teachers who have helped him along his musical career. His primary trumpet teachers include Dave Detwiler, Jim Kluesner, Bill Takacs, and Jason Dovel. Secondary teachers include Vince DiMartino, Rex Richardson, Chris Magee, Ryan Gardner, Tim Hudson, and Gabriel DiMartino. Steve holds a Master of Music in performance from West Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Music in music education from James Madison University.

Marisa Youngs

Marisa Youngs
Doctoral Fellow

Marisa Youngs is currently a Doctor of Musical Arts student in trumpet performance at the University of Kentucky, where she is an Academic Fellow and Teaching Assistant in the trumpet studio. Before coming to UK, Marisa earned a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from Boston University and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. As a freelancer in the Boston area, Marisa performed with various ensembles, holding a solo cornet position with the New England Brass Band and performing with the Boston Chamber Symphony, New England Philharmonic, and Calliope Opera Collaborative. At BU, she performed with the Symphony Orchestra, Chamber/Opera Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, graduate brass quintet, and trumpet ensemble. She was also the Graduate Assistant to the university-wide Concert Band, a program for non-music majors, which she helped manage and conduct. In the summer of 2015, the Concert Band traveled on a concert tour of Ireland, in which Marisa was featured as a soloist on Alexander Goedicke’s Concert Etude and also conducted several pieces. In recent years, she has also been a winner of various solo competitions, including featured performances of Haydn’s Concerto in E-flat with the Virginia Blue Ridge Music Festival Orchestra and Alexander Arutiunian’s Concerto for Trumpet with the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Wind Ensemble. An active teacher, Marisa has been on the brass faculty at the Ferrwood Music Camp in Eastern Pennsylvania, where she teaches private trumpet and french horn lessons. This past summer, she also worked as a librarian and substitute chamber coach with the Boston University Tanglewood Institute’s Wind Ensemble program. Marisa's primary teachers include Jason Dovel, Terry Everson, Kevin Eisensmith, and Robert Dolwick, with countless others having had great impact through lessons, masterclasses, and festivals.

Trumpet Guest Artists

2013

Alan Seibert
President of the International Trumpet Guild
Professor of Trumpet, Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
Arturo Sandoval
Internationally performing trumpet soloist

2014

Gaudette Brass
Professional brass quintet based in Chicago, as part of UK BRASSFEST 2014.
Dr. Denny Edelbrock
Executive Director, National Trumpet Competition and trumpet professor at George Mason University
Langston Fitzgerald
Professor of Trumpet, Penn State University
Logan Place
Professor of Trumpet, Southeastern Louisiana University
Dr. Place played a solo recital in Memorial Hall, and presented a master class in St. Augustine's Chapel.
Jonathan Stites
3rd Trumpet, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (Florida)
UK alum (BMME and BM)
Dr. Robert Murray
Professor of Trumpet, Columbus State University (Georgia)
Dr. Jason Crafton
Trumpet professor, Virginia Tech
Dr. Ryan Gardner
Trumpet professor, Oklahoma State
Dr. Raquel Rodriguez
Trumpet professor, Northern Kentucky University
Rich Illman
Trumpet professor, Michigan State University
U.S. Air Force Wright Brass Quintet
Guests as part of the Third Annual UK BrassFest

Air Force Brass Quintet

Stephen Campbell
Principal trumpet of the Lexington Philharmonic
Stiletto Brass Quintet
The highly acclaimed all-female quintet presented a clinic in September

2015

Nate Wooley
New York-based jazz and avant-garde trumpeter (natewooley.com)
Etienne Stoupy
Trumpet professor, Texas Woman's University
John Foster
Australian trumpeter and international soloist
Offered private lessons, presented a master class, and performed a concert with UK students. Mr. Foster specializes on the Baroque natural trumpet.
Curt Christensen
Retired principal trumpet of the U.S. Air Force Band in Washington, DC
Dr. Gary Wurtz
Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas visited the UK Trumpet Studio to present a master class
Dr. Max Matzen
Trumpet professor at Utah State University
Presented a master class , as well as a lecture recital "Extended Techniques for the Trumpet"
Dr. Brad Ulrich
Western Carolina University
Dr. Eric Yates
University of Alabama, Fortress Brass Quintet
Dr. Anne Kovarik McNamara
Trumpet Professor, Campbellsville University
Presented a mini recital and master class
Anne, Dr. Jason Dovel (UK trumpet professor), and Steve Siegel (UK trumpet TA) all were students of James Kluesner in Virginia
Dr. Brittany Hendricks
Ball State University
Presented a master class in the Black Box Theatre and a recital in the Niles Gallery

2016

US Army Baroque Trumpets
United States Army Old Guard Historical Trumpets
Worked with students as part of UK Baroque Trumpet Day as well as UK BrassFest

US Army Old Guard Historical Trumpets

Friedemann Immer
Hochschule für Musik Köln (Cologne, Germany)
February 22, 2016
Anthony Plog
International Performer/composer
February 25, 2016
Terry Everson
Professor, Boston University
March 2, 2016
Matthew Ernst
Principal Trumpet, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
March 24, 2016
Rex Richardson
International Performer
April 14, 2016
Allen Vizzutti
International Performer
April 22-24, 2016

Trumpet Media

UK Trumpet Ensemble prize-winning performance at the 2014 National Trumpet Competition

Dr. Dovel

First Movement (Allegro) Sonata in D (G. 3) by Giuseppe Torelli (Jason Dovel, trumpet)
Third Movement (Allegro) Sonata in D (G. 3) by Giuseppe Torelli (Jason Dovel, trumpet)
Sonata per Clarino in C-Dur by C. H. Biber (Jason Dovel, trumpet)
Centennial Horizon by Kevin McKee (Jason Dovel, trumpet)
Gabriel's Oboe by Ennio Morricone (Jason Dovel, trumpet)
First Movement (Allegro moderato), Sonata for Trumpet by Halsey Stevens (Jason Dovel, trumpet)
"A Stroll Through Kalavrita" (Jason Dovel, composer)
Fantini Ricercata for Baroque Trumpet
Multiphonics Etude (Jason Dovel, composer)
Cantus for Trumpet and Electronics

UK Trumpet Ensemble

"Into The Blue" (Kevin McKee)
"The Storm's Path" (Brian Balmages)
"Soundings" (Brian Balmages)

Summer Opportunities

Students are encourage to participate in the many summer opportunities that exist for brass players. These are wonderful opportunities for growth in the summer months. Some of these festivals offer financial compensation, some offer scholarships, and some are pay-to-play. If you have questions about any of these festivals, visit the festival website or contact your professor for their experience.

Please note: The University of Kentucky and the College of Fine Arts cannot guarantee these opportunities or the legitimacy of these employers. Please visit the websites for official information, and be sure to do thorough research before committing time and especially money to any project.

Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp (Michigan)
Interlochen Arts Camp (Michigan)
Music Academy of the West (California)
Aspen Music Fesival (Colorado)
Bar Harbor Brass Week (Maine)
Chautauqua Music Festival (New York)
Eastern Music Festival (North Carolina)
Festival Institute at Round Top (Texas)
National Repertory Orchestra (Colorado)
New England Music Camp (Maine)
Pacific Music Festival (Japan)
Rafael Mendez Brass Institute (Colorado)
Rocky Ridge Music Center (Colorado)
Sewanee Summer Music Festival (Tennessee)
Texas Music Festival (Texas)
Oregon Bach Festival Berwick Academy (Oregon)
Oberlin Baroque Performance Institute (Ohio)
Symphony Orchestra Academy of the Pacfic (Canada)
Atlanta Music Festival (Maine)
Blast of Brass (Texas)
Brevard Music Center (North Carolina)
GVSU Trumpet Seminar (Michigna)
Kennedy Center Orchestral Institute (Washington, D.C.)
Jamey Aebersold Jazz Camp (Kentucky)
Marrowstone Summer Music Program (Washington)
New York Summer Music Festival (New York)

Other Summer Employment

Trombone Studio

Trombone students at the University of Kentucky are actively engaged in world-class performance opportunities in all styles and genres of music. Trombone Students at the University of Kentucky have many diverse performance opportunities such as the Trombone Choir, the Wind Symphony, the Symphony Band, the Concert Band, the Opera Orchestra, the Jazz Ensemble, the Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Combos, the Wildcat Marching Band, and the Symphony Orchestra. We are proud to acknowledge the fact that members of the studio recently performed with the University of Kentucky Jazz Ensemble at both the North Sea and Montreux Jazz Festivals in Europe while simultaneously preparing for the University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra’s side-by-side concert with the Boston Pops.

To schedule a visit and for more information on Undergraduate and Graduate studies within the University of Kentucky Trombone Studio, please contact Professor Bradley Kerns.

Tuba & Euphonium

The University of Kentucky Tuba/Euphonium Studio consists of students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in music as well as talented non-majors throughout the university. The UK Tuba/Euphonium Studio was founded by Rex Conner, the first full-time Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at any university in the world, in the Fall of 1960. Professor Conner led the UK Tuba/Euphonium Studio from 1960 to 1980. Then from 1980 to 2018, Dr. Skip Gray led the studio. The studio is currently under the direction of Dr. Matt Hightower.

Former members of the studio have included winners, finalists, and semifinalists of various competitive music festivals, including the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Competition, ITEC Tuba and Euphonium Solo Competitions, ITEC Tuba and Euphonium Quartet Competition, the ITEC Mock Orchestral Auditions, the SERTEC Tuba and Euphonium Solo Competition, the Potomac Music Festival Solo Contest, the Susan Slaughter International Solo Competition, the "Pershing's Own" National Collegiate Solo Competition, the Aspen Music Festival Concerto Competition, and the Yamaha Young Performing Artist Competition, among others. Alumni of the UK Tuba/Euphonium Studio hold major positions at colleges and universities across the country as well as in some of the world's leading musical ensembles.

Tuba and Euphonium students have an opportunity to perform with the UK Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble. The studio will host the Midwest Tuba/Euphonium Conference May 2020.

Undergraduate Auditions

For Undergraduate auditions, please prepare two contrasting works. These can be etudes or contrasting movements/sections from a solo work. Scales up to four sharps, four flats, and sight reading may be asked.

Recommended Studies - Tuba