1.The Funny Photo (Unusual):
If Al Hirt can have Honey in his Horn,
why can't I? 
Al Hirt released the album
"Honey in the Horn" in 1963, and in 1965 released
"That Honey Horn Sound". (There is actually honey and honeybees in the bell of my trumpet.)
2.The Story
My trumpet experience from childhood to adulthood.
In the 5th grade I had the opportunity to hear a band that came to my elementary
school to show off their instruments that were for sale. We were able to hear how
the different instruments sounded and how they were played. The band played
Tijuana Taxi and Spanish Flea. Being a young fan of Herb Alpert, Al Hirt and
Doc Severinsen I already had an inkling of wanting to play a trumpet. Unfortunately,
my parents couldn’t afford to buy me a trumpet at that time. My mother knew a
person in town who could no longer play his trumpet. He had retired from the military
and had an old Holton trumpet. It was pretty beat up. Dad took it to the machine shop
where he worked and had them solder it up as the parts were in bad shape. After a
while I used masking tape to hold it together (back then there was not such thing as
duct tape). I played this trumpet for four years, grades 5-8 – all taped up. It didn’t
matter what it looked like. I just wanted to learn how to play. The music teacher
we had at the time didn’t mind the looks of the trumpet. It sounded fine and she
knew my family couldn’t afford anything better. I think she knew I had some
potential because she pushed me. She was the music teacher for all of the
elementary schools in the area and she’d come to my school for band practice
once a week. She’d say “Oh those girls from Andover (a school in a nearby town)
are doing so good – that would just get me going and I’d play and
practice even harder. When I got into the 7th grade, I was in middle school band.
They saw that I was pretty good on the trumpet so they asked if I’d step
up and play in the high school marching band. We played at football games and
in Memorial and Veteran’s Day parades. When I got into the 9th grade my Dad
realized I was serious and good at playing the trumpet and enjoyed it. He bought
me a King student model trumpet. At that time we had gone through many rolls
of masking tape to hold the old Holton together. I think one of my most memorable
moments in high school was in the jazz band when we went to Boston to participate
in a jazz competition. As soon as a band from Boston stepped onto the stage and
started to perform we knew we didn’t have a chance, especially when a girl in
their band stepped out with a long, black V-neck dress and started belting out
My Mama Done Told Me…We knew we were in trouble – just looking at the
judges faces! She could sing. But just the opportunity of going was the highlight
of the experience. After my high school years I was asked many times if I could
please come in and work with the high school trumpet players. It wasn’t until I
got into my late 30s that I stepped up to a Benge trumpet, and now play on a
Getzen. I have been playing in the Mahoosuc Community Band for the past 13 years. I’ve
enjoyed still working with high school trumpet players as they mature and
some become community band members. One of them – I can proudly say
– has gone on to work toward a college degree in music.
A) Mandatory
Dear Eclipse Trumpet Contest Judges,
I am writing to explain to you why Brian Dunham (maine trumpeter) deserves to win the Eclipse Trumpet Contest, but to me it is very simple.
I have known Brian for three years, and it is obvious to me that he has always been a talented musician. I’ve learned that as a young trumpeter he was a dedicated and motivated player—exceeding his peers. Among other accomplishments, he was a strong player in a competing and prize winning jazz ensemble in high school—nevertheless on a student model horn.
He didn’t end up pursuing music as a career, but instead he became an important and helpful community member. He coached local baseball, volunteered time with the high school bands, and was head of both the town’s Recreation Committee as well as the Planning Board. Still, he was passionate as a musician, even after suffering a baseball injury that seriously compromised his playing. Instead of letting himself become discouraged, he was further motivated to play and work-up his chops.
Thirteen years ago, the local school system lost their music program. To help both students and community members keep the music alive, the Mahoosuc Community Band was established, and since then has rehearsed Monday nights. The MCB performs free of charge for schools, nursing homes, Memorial and Veterans’ Day ceremonies, and community events. Brian joined this ensemble four weeks after it began, and he has never looked back. He has been president of the MCB for the past four years. Additionally he is a valuable member as part of the trumpet section, and he is a vital necessity when it comes to conducting. He is able at a moment’s notice to jump into position to direct an entire rehearsal if it is needed.
As I said before, I’ve known Brian for three years. As a young student I had always enjoyed hearing the MCB perform, and as a high school student I decided to join them. I was slightly wary, but any jitters I had vanished when I met Brian (the very day after I joined) to get my music. I immediately knew that I would enjoy every minute of rehearsals in a section with Brian. He was welcoming, pleasant, ever-helpful and always encouraging. He made me feel at home with the MCB, and he has taught me a lot about musicality and playing trumpet. We frequently discuss playing methods and technique, and he really has helped me as a trumpeter to play with confidence.
For someone who’s done so much for their community, Brian doesn’t even think twice before doing more. He’s a lifelong dedicated musician, and he works hard no matter the circumstances. As a self-motivated and energetic leader, Brian is a valuable community member and a great friend.
He deserves to win this contest because he is a good person who helps a lot of people without asking for anything in return.
Sincerely,
Heather Hastings (trumpeter656)
Plymouth State University Music Education major
Member of the MCB since 2004
(PM if additional information is needed)
B) Most Fantastic Moment in My Playing Life –
This story begins in January, 2003. The Mahoosuc Community Band, of which I am a member, had the good fortune to have a conductor, Ernie, who dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the success of our band. Not only was he talented as a conductor and as a musician (he played the trumpet, which I also play); he had progressive ideas when it came to music selections, and introduced jazz into our concert mix. He also tirelessly sought funding from the community. Ernie was successful in getting donations and concert engagements from the neighboring town of Rumford, Maine where we had not ventured until he joined us.
A member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #1248* of Rumford, Ernie was able to procure the largest donation the band had ever received. As a thank you, we were scheduled to give a concert there on Saturday, March 29. Ernie worked hard to get the band prepared for the concert over the next few months. Then, suddenly, he was admitted to the hospital for an emergency heart bypass operation. Knowing that he would not able to conduct the Eagle’s Club concert, he contacted a conductor friend to stand in for him. Our last practice was on March 24, and we felt confident, in sync, and ready for the upcoming Saturday performance.
Then Ernie’s daughter called us with the news that Ernie had passed away on March 25.
Going into the Eagle’s Club concert, the whole band was in a state of loss over Ernie’s death. But, after the first number every band member knew we were playing the best ever, and everyone knew Ernie was there with us.
For the last selection of the concert we played America the Beautiful, and as we were playing I could see tears in the audience’s eyes. They also felt Ernie’s presence.
To this day, every concert we perform has not yet come to that level of performance, or of the deep feeling of that night at the Eagle’s Club.
Again, this was the best concert – the best moment in my playing life.
*The Fraternal Order of Eagles, is an international (U.S. and Canada) non-profit organization, unites fraternally in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice, and equality, to make human life more desirable by lessening its ills, and by promoting peace, prosperity, gladness and hope.