Your future, our focus
P O W E L L, W y o. - If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. That's the approach taken this year by the organizers of two annual Northwest College music events - Trombone Day and Festival of Trumpets.
The two day-long events are combined this year and will feature a finale concert with more than 50 horns expected on stage.
Northwest is calling on area trumpeters and trombone players to sign up now and start rehearsing for the 2009 Festival of Trumpets and Trombone Day, all happening on Saturday, Feb. 7. Participation is free.
Trumpet players who are middle school age and older and trombonists of all ages are invited to attend. All participants can pick up techniques and tips in the day's master classes, clinics and demonstrations.
Featured artists are Fred Powell and James Robertson. Powell co-founded the National Trumpet Competition of Washington, D.C., and owns TrumpeTech. He's performed with symphonies across the South and in Boston, Mass. Robertson is a professor of low brass at Montana State University-Billings. An active soloist and performer, he is principal trombonist with the Billings Symphony and also a member of the Yellowstone Brass Quintet.
The day's activities get underway at 10 a.m. in the Nelson Performing Arts Center at Northwest College and include warm-up sessions with the guest artists, plus displays of historical instruments and contemporary instruments, accessories and literature.
Everything wraps up when all the day's participants take the stage for a combined concert starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Nelson Performing Arts Center Auditorium.
Detailed information is available online at "Festival of Trumpets and Trombone Day."
To sign up and request trumpet music, e-mail Neil Hansen or call (800) 560-4692, ext. 6427. Trombonists should e-mail Richard Parmer or call (307) 548-2647.