trumpetlore

I've tried a few times in the last week to sum up what CV was to me this year. Each time I've deleted it because it wasn't really what I wanted to say. This time, I'm just gonna post whatever comes out.

Once again, CV went beyond my expectation. I was unsure if I'd really made the correct decision in going this year, and unsure if it was really worth the money two years in a row. The answer comes to an easy and resounding yes.

As everybody keeps saying, CV is a unique environment, the high caliber teachers, the high caliber standard, and the freakish playing of a many mentioned above. My highlights this year have changed my entire approach to the trumpet, and to classical music.

The first real "WOW" moment for me this year was hearing Trent play the M Haydn. It was incredible. I've never seen anybody so happily approach any classical piece. His performance in masterclass taught me that I don't need to fit inside of any of the preconceived boxes that I've erected around the standard rep. Thanks Trent!

Another amazing thing about CV that you don't really get anywhere else is the opportunity to hang out with the teachers all the time. At other camps, the professors always avoid the students when they're not teaching, they become reclusive. Not so at CV. This is one of the greatest opportunities to learn, where we can bounce ideas off of other students, and off of the leaders in our field. You really get to hear the route these guys have taken to get to where they are. They all do such different things, and have taken such different roads. I find it inspiring to know that we can take our own route to being a professional musician.

The final thing for me was improvising with Markus. To me, musicality oozes from this man just as much as from Miles. Doing group improv with Markus has helped me open my ears, to really listen, and to understand music on an entirely new level.

Thanks to Ed, as well as the other faculty and students

ckallmyer

It is truly difficult to sum up such a cathartic, complete experience as Chosen Vale. (I am different now than i was before CV.)

The faculty offered a rich dialogue about music making from art in new composition down to the basic physics of the instrument. The depth of knowledge and experience brought to CV by faculty gave us students fuel to discuss, further develop, and incorporate the ideas presented. I agree with Trent and anyone else who has said it before: The true learning begins with beer in hand and trumpet on the brain---talking it over with our peers and colleagues. I learned a TON from Ed, Cassone, Stevens, Gould, Burns, and Rosenboom, but I learned even more from my friends.

Here are some things that I pulled out of my notes that I really appreciated:

Gabriele Cassone: Buzz in a Bel Canto style-- with good air, concept of sound, a diversity of dynamics, and beautiful musicality. Learn music this way--SLOW.

Steve Burns: The best musicians are persona, on stage and off "Who am I? What am I about? What can I bring to the stage from this?"

Mark Gould: Watch out for Pink Baby Monster! "Things you do well, do that! "

Thomas Stevens: Analyze your music! Watch for barlines, and implication of editorial on phrasing. Play with implicit intent.

Markus Stockhausen: "Concentrate, don't think."

David Rosenboom: "Exude a deep concrete originality in all that you do"

Ed Carroll: I've learned more from Ed than I can remember at this point. Ed's wife is the best.

I'll leave you with a small bit I wrote in my journal as I was getting on the plane to leave New Hampshire:
"Chosen Vale proposes a creative, proactive intellect in Trumpet playing. It questions both the old modes as well as the new. Most importantly it asks; is this you?" I think it asks us to be our own musician/artist, and to exude this with "concrete originality".

Ed, Thanks for setting up such an incredible seminar, and thanks for having me.

best to all CV brothers and sisters of the Shaker VII,

-Chris

__________________
www.chriskallmyer.com
http://myspace.com/chriskallmyermusic

Xtrumpet

My week at Chosenvale has invigorated my practice. It is impossible not to be inspired by the world class faculty that Ed Carroll assembled.

The level of the students was also awe inspiring, allowing the trumpet masters to really flex their incredible teaching muscles.

Here are my impressions of the masters from my week at Chosenvale.

Cassone: A gentleman virtuoso. Meticulous and all about the song and wind.

Burns: Proves that it is possible to be analytical AND supremely musical at once.

Gould: Irreverent, rude, slightly crazy but impossible to dislike and somehow highly effective and bringing out the best in students with his unique personality. (The guy quoted Goebbels in one class!)

Carroll: Infectious enthusiasm. Studying with Ed is really like joining an international community of trumpet artists. I’m honoured to be one of his students at McGill.

My only regret about my time at Chosenvale is that I was only able to be there for one of the two weeks. I really hope I can get there for the full two weeks next year.

Cheers,
Xylo

ckallmyer

hey all,

I just posted a video on youtube of that theater piece I performed at CV. Its called "Curiosity" and was written in the fall of 2007 by my friend Bob Allaire. I hope you all dig it up---
YouTube - Curiosity by Robert Allaire

best,

-chris

PS: check out Bob's website is: Robert Allaire - Composer

__________________
www.chriskallmyer.com
http://myspace.com/chriskallmyermusic

natemayfield

Each year, I'm completely amazed by the talent and commitment of the trumpeters that attend CV. This year was no different. From the memorization of virtually impossible contemporary works, to Trent's M Haydn, to near flawless performances of the French literature, it was once again an inspiring event that we were all fortunate to be a part of.

I think that we can all say that we left not only as better players, but also as better, more well rounded people.

Cheers
Nate Mayfield

Boylemusicman

Hey everyone,

First off I just wanted to say this was a wonderful opportunity to be able to play and meet all the talented musicians as I did at Chosen Vale. It was a very fast two weeks and I enjoyed myself completely. I have learned so much and I will be back in the future. I would also like to thank all the teachers and everyone who had helped me. Also i wanted to thank Nate personally for helping me with the Antheil Sonata and some basics. He had also helped me with my embouchure problem. Also i would like to thank Ed Carroll for taking the time out of the day to sit down and also help me with it. I have learned so much and i am looking forward to going back and watching the videos on youtube.

Thanks,
Aaron Boyle

ecarroll

Hi Aaron,

Thanks for adding your voice and welcome to TM. Please contribute freely to all of the forums -- you're the real deal.

Best,
EC