World-renowned musicians to perform at 11th Annual Midwest Trumpet Festival
Wednesday, September 25, 2019 11:00 AM
Arts & Entertainment, News
Pittsburg, KS
For the 11th year, trumpet players of the highest caliber will come to Pittsburg State the first weekend in October to educate middle school, high school, university students, and professionals, and to perform.
Held at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, the Midwest Trumpet Festival will feature six performances over the course of two days. Tickets are on sale now through the PSU Ticket Office for the public performances; registration is required for master classes and educational sessions.
Performances include:
Sunday, Oct. 6
At 12:30 p.m. the Back Alley Brass Band, a Kansas City-based New Orleans style brass band featuring several PSU alumni, will perform a casual prelude to the festival starting at 12:30 p.m.
At 1 p.m., the Lonnie McFadden Quartet will perform. Tickets are $10 general admission, or free for PSU students, faculty, and staff.
At 4 p.m., renowned trumpeters Vince DiMartino, Rex Richardson, and Gabriel DiMartino will perform. Admission is free.
At 7:30 p.m., Todd Hastings and the Crossroads Jazz Orchestra will perform a concert featuring DiMartino, Richardson, and other guest artists. Tickets are $10 general admission, or free for PSU students, faculty, and staff.
Monday, Oct. 7
At 3 p.m., college students from University’s across the Midwest will present a recital of various works for trumpet and trumpet ensemble. Admission is free.
At 5 p.m., faculty artists will perform a recital along with featured guest artists. Admission is free.
University Professor of Trumpet Todd Hastings began the festival as a way to expose his students to master musicians with whom he had developed connections through years of playing in symphony orchestras and festivals across the U.S.
This year, those master musicians include:
Vince DiMartino — one of the most sought-after trumpet performers and educators. He’s been the lead and solo trumpet in the Lionel Hampton Band, the Chuck Mangione Band, the Clark Terry Band, and The Eastman Arranger’s Holiday Orchestra, has performed with some of this country’s finest college jazz ensembles, and has been a member of the artist-faculty of the highly acclaimed Skidmore Jazz Institute since its inception in 1988.
He has served twice as President and Vice President of The International Trumpet Guild and serves as chair of the Board of Directors of The National Trumpet Competition in Washington, D.C.
Rex Richardson — hailed in classical circles as “among the very best trumpet soloists in the world today,” (International Trumpet Guild) and in jazz as “a standout soloist with the power, range and flexibility to rival Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw,” (DownBeat Magazine).
He stays busy as a headline artist at international brass and jazz festivals and as a soloist with orchestras, concert bands, brass bands and jazz ensembles on five continents.
He’s also collaborated with countless legendary artists and ensembles, including Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin.
Lonnie McFadden — A Kansas City native who sings, tap dances and plays trumpet, and has traveled the globe performing at shows and jazz festivals. He's shared the stage with some of the biggest names in show business, including Wayne Newton, Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Orlando, Lee Greenwood, Gladys Knight and The Count Basie Orchestra.
Details: https://www.pittstate.edu/music/midwest-trumpet-festival.html or 620-235-4466.
Tickets: PSU Ticket Office, Room 137 Garfield Weede Building at PSU, online at www.pittstate.edu/office/ticket-office/index.html, or by calling 620-235-4796.