Eclipsehornplayer

Hi all!

I figured I’d just toss this out here for kicks. When I was growing up the trumpet player’s world was an almost hidden/secret society so I’m thankful to those who started this board as it provides a place to meet and build lasting friendships with those whom I share this great instrument in common with. A great bonus of course is the diversity of players that are out here; pros, amateurs, and every thing in between. All styles it’s just fantastic I would have killed to have had a resource like this when I was young.

My name is John (Kinghornplayer) I choose that name as I have a 1966 Silver Flair Bb Trumpet which I’m delighted to say Alex (Trompetvrouw) fancies and a 1966 Tempo Coronet as well. I’m 37 years old and had I stayed playing would have been playing for right around 27 years by now! Sadly I didn’t and have only been playing for about 6 years. I had a 21 year break, life happened, long story see my entry in the eclipse contest if your really interested.

I was a very good player from the time that I picked up my first Bundy Coronet in 5th grade in 1978. I progressed rapidly through the band programs in the Riverview Community School systems and by the time I was in Jr. High I was a semi-arrogant first chair lead trumpet player who often was invited to play with the High School band. I opted to march in Drum and Bugle Crops instead of High School Band. I marched with the long defunct New Horizon’s Drum and Bugle Corps from Riverveiw, Michigan.

In Jr. High my dad bought me my first Trumpet a Bundy student horn. We couldn’t afford much as times were tough in Detroit then and my dad was an auto worker. I played it well and enjoyed playing in general. I remember when Chuck Mangione came out with Live at the Hollywood Bowl I was in the band room one day goofing around and figured out about the first 15 or 20 bars of the song feels so good and started playing it. How I wish I would have not wasted the talent I had back then. I remember the looks I got, my band director came up to me and asked where I got the music for that as it was just being played on the radio, I replied from my head. I can still sort of do this just not as well as I once did.

Now what seems like many lifetimes later I’m back into it. I put down my horn in 1983 and picked another one back up again in 2004. Too long a time I must admit, how I wish I could have those years back! However, I can’t so I look forward to the future with renewed interest. I got in with a community band here in Columbus, Georgia and will be auditioning (I hope) to play as a sub with the local big band. I also play in my church as a soloist alongside the organ. Every now and again we get some high schoolers in the mix flute and clairnet mostly, I'm hoping to get a small ensemble organized to play every weekend. I love playing, I’m not real good at it but I love to play. I work hard at it, once my goal was to be the best trumpet player ever. Now my goal is to be the best player I can be! With some hard work from me and with a little help from you my Trumpet Brethren I know I’ll get there.

That’s all folks, not as exciting as some but I’m here what else matters?

God bless,
John

WordRider

Welcome from the WordRiderTerrance!!!!

Liad Bar-EL

Hi John,

<<< That’s all folks, not as exciting as some but I’m here what else matters?>>>

Nice reading your post John. You're a real down to earth person that somebody can talk to without the one-up-man-ship type of mentality.

It's good to know you and I am sure we will be exchanging posts in the future.

All the best,

Liad

Eclipsehornplayer

Thanks Liad!

I've enjoyed your perspective on many posts.

TM is truly a great resource. It's great to build friendships that in other settings might not work. Music is a common bond for all mankind that transcends otherwise impassable boundries. In short the playing the trumpet is taking me places I thought I'd never go.

I'm glad to be able to say Shalom my friend!

Eclipsehornplayer

Thanks Terrance!

Best to you!