http://members.trumpetguild.org/content/itg-news/25-justin-bartels-master-class-at-troy-university

Here is a repost of an ITG Article about a Masterclass I gave at Troy University this past September, thanks to Mike Huff for being a wonderful host.

Justin Bartels master class at Troy University

On September 6, 2012, Mr. Justin Bartels, Principal Trumpet of the Colorado Symphony and Alabama native, presented a master class for the trumpet students at Troy University in Troy, Alabama.

Bartels began his class by performing several standard orchestral excerpts.  He went onto work with senior Josh Wine, who performed the first movement of the Haydn Concerto and senior Stan Lawton, who performed the first movement of the Ewazen Sonata.  Throughout the class, Bartels discussed practice techniques, how to best interpret music in our repertoire, his views on the future of music and his opinions on equipment.  The class concluded with Mr. Bartels and Dr. Huff performing "Come, Sweet Nymph" from Mark Dulin's recently published book of Thomas Morley canzonets for 2 trumpets.

Source: Mike Huff, DMA, Assistant Professor of Trumpet, Troy University

Today is Christmas Eve, before I moved to Colorado I used to have a lot of work on Christmas Eve.  For five years I was part of a brass quartet that played in Birmingham, AL. We would play at this lovely old church downtown. We showed up at 5:30 to play one service, in between eat Sushi, then play a late night service. In Denver, I've been here for for four years and have only been called for one Christmas Eve job, which is rather eye opening. In other parts of the country I used to have to fight off the phone calls for Easter and Christmas Eve, but Denver is a bit different. This is one of the prevailing reasons why I am glad the Colorado Symphony Orchestra will be going out more into the community more next year. After awhile you get to the point where you must make it happen on your own. Last night several of my colleagues and I played in a brass group tentatively titled the Bartels Brass. The group was made up of the six best Brass players that I know.

We played a set of around twenty charts, some were purchased from the Pittsburgh Symphony Brass, a few quintet arrangements adapted for Brass Quintet, and several charts that I arranged from choir parts. The goal was to provide music for the Englewood Arts Concert Series in Englewood, Colorado that would be classicaly themed, bring the audience into the music and not just use a cheesy nitch for cheap laughs. Some Christmas shows get away from their base and go for gimmicky popsy nitches and this scares me. It's like the praise band at church, I understand the value of getting young people involved however, I'm more of the mantra, try to throw a couple fun pieces into the mix but never to go overboard. For a first time group, I felt that the credibility of the group being made Colorado Symphony Musicians would be key and along with an agressive program would provide for a high quality experience for the audience. I feell it was a very sucessful venture and I'm very proud of my colleagues for participating.

Here is a special Thank you to Steve Kilburn (Trumpet), Michael Thornton (Horn), Paul Naslund (Trombone), Greg Harper (Bass Trombone) and Michael Dunn (Tuba) for being a part of the group this year. I'm extremely proud to play with such high quality people and musicians. Now the need of playing a Christmas Eve service is fulfilled and I get to stay home on the 24th with the family.

The Bartels Brass makes it's annual debut this Friday, December 23rd at Hampden Hall in Englewood, Colorado with a program entitled "Christmas with the Bartels Brass". The group, founded by CSO Principal Trumpeter Justin Bartels is based on a similar Brass Sextet style of the Pittsburgh Symphony Brass. Made up of the finest Orchestral Players in the Denver Area, this Hour and a Half Event promises to put you in the holiday spirit by the end of the evening.

Selections from - Hansel and Gretl, Sleigh Ride, Silent Night, Pretty Much Everthing that is Festive this Season

Here's what some Brass Players are Saying

"If you don't come see this show, Santa won't come and see you" - Justin Bartels (Colorado Symphony Orchestra)

• Justin Bartels - Trumpet (Principal Trumpet, Colorado Symphony Orchestra 
• Steve Kilburn - Trumpet (Tuscon, AZ | Columbia, SC | Washington, DC)
• Michael Thornton (Principal Horn, Colorado Symphony)
• Paul Naslund (Acting Principal Trombone, Colorado Symphony Orchestra) 
• Greg Harper - (Bass Trombone, Colorado Symphony Orchestra 
• Michael Dunn (Professor of Tuba Univeristy of Colorado, Former United States Marine Band)

When : Friday December 23rd, 2011 at 7:00 PM

Where : Hampden Hall - Englewood Civic Center

www.englewoodarts.org | www.justinbartels.com