TrumpetMaster - View Single Post

Alex Yates · 08-12-2005, 02:06 PM

Wow Ed, you sure have covered the globe in your travels. I know it is difficult to settle down somewhere only to move again (or to fly constantly, which is no fun these days). I bet you are thrilled to be heading to Montreal now and I bet McGill is more than thrilled to have you! Does this mean you get to keep your home in NH? New England is one of the most beautiful parts of our country (IMHO) and I would have a hard time leaving there.

You asked about Belgium. I was first contacted about going "across the pond" after my website was chosen to be listed as the trumpet reference in the "Geillustreerde Muziekinstrumenten Encyclopedie" published in Dutch. I first arrived there in 2002 taking an "artist in residence" position at the Lemmensinstituut in Leuven. The trumpet teacher there is Mnr. Leon Petre. I liked it so much and struck up such a good friendship with Leon, that I stayed two more years. I lived in Ghent (Gent) and had wonderful performing opportunities all over Belgium and the Netherlands - most of them taking place in the breathtaking cathedrals so numerous over there. Petre and myself did several two piccolo trumpet and organ recitals and they were great fun. I also learned and performed a lot of works by Belgian composers - Stekke, Jongen - and quite a few others whose names I cannot recall at the moment. I received a heavy dose of brass band playing (LOL) which actually was quite a learning experience for this orchestral trumpeter. I also performed several times with "L'Orchestre de Chamber de Wallonie". It was funny playing with this group because all of the strings were "Walloon" a.k.a. French speaking, and all of the "blazers" (blowers) were "Flemish", a.k.a Dutch/Flemish speaking. Communication was always a problem there since the conductor also spoke only French. LOL. I was also fortunate enough to go to Liege a few times and dig into the teachings of Theo Charlier. I could go on and on, but I will save that for my website update. I did learn a lot while there and have a lot to share. It was quite eye-opening, very rewarding musically and extremely informative from a trumpeters view.

Oh! I almost forgot! Most importantly, I learned to appreciate Belgian beer and chocolate.

Westmalle dubbel is my favorite beer hands down, but there were many tasty beers around. And as far as the chocolate goes - the higher the cocoa content, the better. Yum. The dark chocolate is to die for and then some.

Come to think of it, if the dollar wasn't so weak, I might still be living across the pond. LOL. I am now back in the states living in Atlanta. (My husband has an electrical engineering firm here, so this is my "home base".) So, there you have the reader's digest version of my three years in Belgium. :treble:

P.S. Since this is your forum, I also wanted you to know that I became a big fan of yours after purchasing your two CD set of piccolo trumpet music. BRAVO! It is one of my favorites. I look forward to learning from you and thrilled that you are here.

Best wishes, Alex

08-12-2005, 02:06 PM	#19 (permalink)
Alex Yates Forte User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Brand: ECLIPSE Posts: 2,405	Belgium Wow Ed, you sure have covered the globe in your travels. I know it is difficult to settle down somewhere only to move again (or to fly constantly, which is no fun these days). I bet you are thrilled to be heading to Montreal now and I bet McGill is more than thrilled to have you! Does this mean you get to keep your home in NH? New England is one of the most beautiful parts of our country (IMHO) and I would have a hard time leaving there. You asked about Belgium. I was first contacted about going "across the pond" after my website was chosen to be listed as the trumpet reference in the "Geillustreerde Muziekinstrumenten Encyclopedie" published in Dutch. I first arrived there in 2002 taking an "artist in residence" position at the Lemmensinstituut in Leuven. The trumpet teacher there is Mnr. Leon Petre. I liked it so much and struck up such a good friendship with Leon, that I stayed two more years. I lived in Ghent (Gent) and had wonderful performing opportunities all over Belgium and the Netherlands - most of them taking place in the breathtaking cathedrals so numerous over there. Petre and myself did several two piccolo trumpet and organ recitals and they were great fun. I also learned and performed a lot of works by Belgian composers - Stekke, Jongen - and quite a few others whose names I cannot recall at the moment. I received a heavy dose of brass band playing (LOL) which actually was quite a learning experience for this orchestral trumpeter. I also performed several times with "L'Orchestre de Chamber de Wallonie". It was funny playing with this group because all of the strings were "Walloon" a.k.a. French speaking, and all of the "blazers" (blowers) were "Flemish", a.k.a Dutch/Flemish speaking. Communication was always a problem there since the conductor also spoke only French. LOL. I was also fortunate enough to go to Liege a few times and dig into the teachings of Theo Charlier. I could go on and on, but I will save that for my website update. I did learn a lot while there and have a lot to share. It was quite eye-opening, very rewarding musically and extremely informative from a trumpeters view. Oh! I almost forgot! Most importantly, I learned to appreciate Belgian beer and chocolate. Westmalle dubbel is my favorite beer hands down, but there were many tasty beers around. And as far as the chocolate goes - the higher the cocoa content, the better. Yum. The dark chocolate is to die for and then some. Come to think of it, if the dollar wasn't so weak, I might still be living across the pond. LOL. I am now back in the states living in Atlanta. (My husband has an electrical engineering firm here, so this is my "home base".) So, there you have the reader's digest version of my three years in Belgium. :treble: P.S. Since this is your forum, I also wanted you to know that I became a big fan of yours after purchasing your two CD set of piccolo trumpet music. BRAVO! It is one of my favorites. I look forward to learning from you and thrilled that you are here. Best wishes, Alex
	__________________ Alex Yates - Eclipse Artist The Virtual Trumpet Studio