Festival draws students, faculty from across the Midwest

  Monday, October 14, 2013 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

“It’s like an international trumpet festival without the egos,” joked Keith Winking, professor of trumpet at Texas State University when asked to describe his experience at the Midwest Trumpet Festival at Pittsburg State University.

Winking was one of a dozen guest artist faculty members at the festival, which opened on Sunday, Oct. 13, and concludes with a concert by featured artist Joe Burgstaller at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 14, in the Sharon K. Dean Recital Hall in McCray Hall.

Winking said he brought three of his students for the festival, which included high school and college students from across the Midwest.

Todd Hastings, a professor of trumpet at PSU and director of the festival, said the event offers opportunities for both students and faculty who participate.

“The students are exposed to new literature and they are exposed to outstanding faculty, including an international expert,” Hastings said. “It can be a really inspirational experience for some students.”

For faculty, the festival is an opportunity to network and to share teaching tips and techniques.

“We all want to get better as teachers,” said Winking. “I always hear someone say something that I want to take back for my own students.”