Affiliate Chapter Event: Arkansas State Trumpet Guild Brass Fest
The 2024 Arkansas State University Trumpet Guild Brass Fest
The A-State Department of Music brass studios were excited to host a festival for brass musicians from our region this fall.
They welcomed students of all ages and all levels. The festival provides opportunities to improve musicality, skills, and ensemble. The festival builds for the future by teaching, leading, and encouraging brass musicians A-State and throughout our community. They were able to bring world-renowned guest artists and clinicians for a day of music-making, master classes, and performances to Jonesboro. This year, they were able to feature trumpet and tuba guest artists and welcome Dr. Matthew Vangjel (trumpet), from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and Dr. Chris Combest (tuba), from Middle Tennessee State University. The day included a warmup covering basic fundamentals and techniques of brass playing led by A-State brass faculty, masterclasses, and lectures by our guest artists, vendors selling brass instruments and accessories, and a final evening performance.
The Arkansas State Affiliate Chapter
With an event like this, there is an abundance of preparation involved. Thankfully, our Affiliate Chapter was eager and ready to help everything go as smoothly as it did. The day before Brass Fest, members of our affiliate chapter were able to make new connections with our vendors while aiding in preparing for the day to come. They helped unload all the items that the vendors brought, set up tables with instruments and materials from the vendors, and provided anything else the vendors needed.
Members from our affiliate chapter were also able to gain more knowledge and assist throughout the day of the event. For example, a few of our members helped with registration, providing them with valuable hands-on experience in event management and logistics. This opportunity allowed them to observe and participate in the behind-the-scenes processes, such as coordinating attendee schedules, distributing music, managing last-minute changes, and troubleshooting any issues that arose.
In addition, they gained insight into how a large-scale event like this is organized, from the planning phases to execution. Through their involvement, they learned the importance of clear communication, attention to detail, and teamwork in ensuring the smooth flow of the event.
Moreover, assisting with all the duties allowed them to network with various participants, including guest artists, local band directors, and fellow musicians, further enhancing their professional development. This experience not only broadened their knowledge but also built their confidence in handling similar events in the future, equipping them with the skills necessary for leadership roles within our chapter and beyond.
The Event
To begin the day, Dr. Nairam Simoes from Arkansas State University led a lively and energetic warm-up with a variety of students. These students varied from middle school up to the collegiate level. Dr. Simoes was aided by the adjunct trumpet professor Mr. Tyler Helms and his two graduate assistants, Carlos Mejia and Audrey Alpha. They assisted with guiding attendees to their proper location and helping introduce ideas throughout the warm-up class.
This warm-up was followed by an enticing presentation about mouthpieces and how they are made by one of our vendors, Pickett Brass. In this presentation, they informed the audience about the changes that can be made to mouthpieces and the process of creating and engraving custom mouthpieces.
Following this presentation, Dr. Vangjel listened to three brass students in a masterclass. He shared his knowledge with the performers and attendees, leading everyone through exercises all individuals could use regardless of their instrument.
After the masterclass presented by Dr. Vangjel, people attending were able to have lunch provided to them and peruse the vendor room. This vendor room included people such as the previously mentioned Pickett Brass and Austin Custom Brass.
To conclude the evening, attendees were able to perform in front of a wonderful crowd with a mass brass ensemble that had rehearsed earlier in the day. This ensemble was the opener for what was a beautiful concert performed by Dr. Vangjel. Dr. Vangjel performed a variety of pieces.
This event was only made possible by this awarded grant. On behalf of the entire Department of Music, thank you very much! (Source: Carlos Mejia)