Carnival of Venice

One of the most enjoyable things I get to do as a musician is perform with the Isthmus Brass.  It consists of ten brass players from around Wisconsin, founded by Mike Forbes and directed by John Stevens.  (We have a CD out that can be found on the IB website.)  We recently gave a concert in Green Bay, where my parents live, and I decided to do an arrangement of "The Carnival of Venice" for my…

Dana Wilson – “I Remember…”

  Title I Remember… (1998) Dana Wilson Biographical Info The works of Dana Wilson have been commissioned and performed by such diverse ensembles as the Chicago Chamber Musicians, Formosa String Quartet, Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, Buffalo Philharmonic, Xaimen Symphony, Netherlands Wind Ensemble, Syracuse Symphony, and Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. Solo works have been written for…

Stephenson – Concerto for Trumpet, no. 1

Title Concerto for Trumpet, no. 1 (2003) For trumpet and orchestra, or wind ensemble, or piano reduction By James Stephenson Biographical Info The Concerto for Trumpet, James Stephenson’s second major work written for the trumpet, is a product of a long-time friendship between Jeffrey Work, for whom the concerto is written, and the composer. As a trumpeter himself, Stephenson had spent…

The “other” Stevens Trumpet Sonata

Title Sonata for Trumpet and Piano (2008) By John Stevens Biographical Info John Stevens was born in Buffalo, New York (USA) in 1951. He holds degrees in Music Performance (tuba) from the Eastman School of Music (1973) and Yale University (1975). For many years John Stevens was a free-lance performer in New York City. From 1981 to 1985 he was on the faculty of the University of Miami (FL)…

Bradshaw Trumpet Sonata

Title Sonata for Trumpet and Piano (2003) Robert Bradshaw (1970 - ) Biographical Info Focused on producing socially relevant art, Robert J. Bradshaw's music is inspired by historical events and influenced by his multi-cultural family.  His formative years were spent surrounded by generations of artists including works by his great-grandfather, George A. Bradshaw, whose etchings are part…

Clifton Williams – Dramatic Essay

Title Dramatic Essay (1958)For Trumpet and Band (Wind Ensemble) By Clifton Williams Biographical Info James Clifton Williams Jr. (1923– 12 February 1976) was born in Traskwood, Arkansas. He began playing French horn, piano, and mellophone early on and played in the band at Little Rock High School. In his senior class of 600, he was voted for being the most outstanding in artistry, talent,…

Site Update News

For those of you that frequent this site, you are obviously aware it has recently undergone a complete makeover.  My web designer does a fantastic job and if anyone is interested in hiring him, please contact me and I'll put you in touch. Aside from the look and format, I have merged DavidCooperMusic with AllThingsTrumpet and since deleted DavidCooperMusic.  Basically the only thing that other…

Sampson – Notes from Faraway Places (suite 1)

Title Notes from Faraway Places Suite 1 (I. Krems, Austria - II. Richmond, Virginia – III. Delaware Water Gap, Penn.) For Unaccompanied Trumpet By David Sampson Biographical Info David Sampson is a trumpet player, teacher and composer living in New Jersey. He has made considerable contributions to 20th and 21st Century trumpet literature by composing more than fifteen works featuring the…

Takemitsu – Paths

Title Paths (1994) In Memoriam Witold Lutoslawski for Trumpet Toru Takemitsu (1931-1996) Biographical Info Toru Takemitsu was a self-taught Japanese composer who combined elements of Eastern and Western music and philosophy to create a unique sound world. Some of his early influences were the sonorities of Debussy, and Messiaen's use of nature imagery and modal scales. There is a certain…

Tull – Profile 8

Title Eight Profiles (1980)For Solo TrumpetVIII - To J. B.Fisher Tull (1934-1994) Biographical Info Fisher Tull was born in Waco, Texas.  He received his musical training at North Texas State University.  When Dr. Tull originally went to NTSU he was assistant to John Haynie as a trumpet teacher and as a staff arranger for the renowned NTSU Lab Bands.   After He graduated in 1957 he went to Sam…