BLAZE
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1. Tell us how you would improve a trumpet with a new feature or design.
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I would like an Eclipse to be the basis of the BLAZE model. I only want to make some cosmetic changes to keep the playability of the horn intact. Nothing out of sight, but nothing plain either.
As the name BLAZE implies fire, I would like it to seem like the entire trumpet is in the deep blue and white heart of an immense roaring fire. The entire trumpet would be bathed in a metallic blue that is reminiscent of a hot fire. there would be white gold flames in various spots throughout.
The sheet bracing at the bell crook would be cut to look like a miniature bonfire, tipped in the same blue of the trumpet and made of white gold leaf, or silver. From this "fire", a spiral of flames would erupt and circle the pipe until exploding into a rage at and within the bell.
The sheet bracing for the leadpipe crook would also be a flame, but this would be a lick of flame shaped in the form of a capitol letter A. The lead pipe as well would have an elongated spiral of white gold or silver flames around it leading to the valves.
Each valve casing would have a tongue of flame on the outside on the front and the back, and the flames towards the right hand would be in the shapes of crosses. Then, the slides for the valves each have a flame or two that seem to burn through the slides starting on the bottom part of the slide and completing on the top.
The two slide rings and the pinky ring would be covered in white gold and seem to be made of small flames themselves. The pinky ring would seem to be a flame blowing to the right, and the first valve slide would be a flame blowing to the left. The third valve slide would be a flame that seems to go up and slightly to the left.
The only non-cosmetic changes I would make would be to shorten the distance of the two stems of the first valve slide ring as my hands are small, and add the option of having both a set of heavy and regular valve caps. I use a wine cork on my current trumpet so I can actually budge it. The one last change I would make to the trumpet would be instead of mother of pearl on the valves, I would have sapphire or Lapis Lazuli.(Only if this is possible and within the budget after all of the other specifications have been met - I checked some prices of sapphire and it is...pricey. Lapis Lazuli looks cheaper...)
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2. Give us a theme for a trumpet!
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As I've mentioned before, the title of the trumpet would be BLAZE. This would not only describe the looks of the trumpet, but the sound of trumpets in general and how they cut through an orchestra or band and provide much of the fire and might behind the music in fanfares, licks and more.
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3. (back to school time!) Write a short story using each of the following at least once.
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A. A TYPE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENT - trumpets, saxophones, clarinets, flutes
B. A COUNTRY OR CITY - Cumberland, Maryland
C. A FORM OF TRANSPORT - car
D. AN ITEM OF CLOTHING - band uniform
E. A FOOD - A sheetz cheeseburger
The calm, cool night at Fort Hill High School in Cumberland, Maryland, provided a wonderful background for the crisp sound of the bands participating in the Chapter 13 Tournament of Bands. The last high school band students to go on, Fort Hill's own, were playing their hearts out on the field as Frostburg State's students hid behind the audience, soon to make their appearance to those who were not in close proximity.
Light chatting burbled throughout the college trumpets and saxophones, flutes and clarinets, as they awaited to hear whether or not they would do two shows in a row and when they were to start charging down the fifty some steps and onto the field.
I shivered with excitement as I awaited the cue to start running down the steps. My white cape fluttered slightly in the light breeze, and I chatted slightly with my friends while paying attention to the band on the field as well. As the band finished, I double checked my uniform the make sure that all was in order. I made sure the ruffled dickey was tucked neatly into the cumberbund, and that my cape was attached on both shoulders. Calming my stomach's butterflies from barely even making it, I took several deep breaths. I barely found the high school while driving over in my car because the entrance is slightly hidden. But I was there, and ready to perform.
The signal is given, the band takes off! Wooping, hollering, screaming, and shouting, the band takes off down the steps, surprising the audience with an energetic entrance unmatched by any of the high school bands that have gone before us on this night. Tearing across the field, each member finds their spot and rigidly stops and goes to attention, awaiting the start of the first number.
The band faces the students, and hears the fact that they'll be playing two shows. There are a few mumbles, and a few eyes rolling as they grumble about the fact that maybe some chops wouldn't last two shows. But the director says we're doing to shows, and we can't change the decision.
The drum major salutes, raises her arms, and blows the whistle. The band is off, and running through the first few sets as the drums pound through the introduction. Screams and shouts ring out as it looks like the band members have lost their minds! The band then snaps to marching and plays through the first song effortlessly. The lead trumpet player screams through his solo above high C. Then the second song begins, and the third song, until the fourth song is finished. After the first show ends, the band calmly walks to their spots and faces the opposite direction and prepares for the second show.
The second show runs through without a hitch, and the energy level even rises! The band finishes, and circles up on the sideline as the awards begin. For a job well done, I treat myself to one of the huge delicious burgers from the nearby Sheetz gas station. What a night - two shows in a row!
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4. And last but not least!
Apart from your brilliant answers to the above, please tell us just why you feel that you should win this contest.
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Music is my life. I grew up going to listen to the Navy Band play as my father sang in the Sea Chanters. Even before I took my first breath of air, I heard my father singing with a wonderful timbre that has the power of a trumpet's tone. Music surrounds me and I surround myself in music.
There were many other options for me to go into, but I found in myself too strong a love for music to do anything else. There was no question when I finally decided what my path in life was to be.
As I start on the path of a professional musician or music teacher, it would be great to start off with a beautifully hand-made trumpet. My bach stradivarious is good, don't get me wrong, but as a professional musician it would be rare for me to make enough money in the United States to buy such a rare piece as lovely as an Eclipse trumpet.
~Annie Lewis
I can't forget the most important part - Thank you for doing the contest in the first place - to even have a chance to win a custom trumpet is AWESOME!