National Trumpet Competition
Encyclopedia
The National Trumpet Competition is an annual competition held at George Mason University
. Trumpeters from all over the country come to George Mason around mid March to duke it out for the title of Best Trumpeter in their division.
is a member of the brass
family of instruments, which has been around since its first use in 2000 BC, later then evolved to be played for King Tut of Egypt
. Around the beginning of the 19th century, the first valved trumpets that were made were the D, Eb, and G trumpets (as the descendant to the rotary trumpet made in the late 17th century). That, in effect, motivated composers to develop more lyrical, but technically difficult pieces because of the new trumpet's flexibility. At around the 19th to 20th century, the trumpet evolved further to many other keys, which were the Bb, Bb/A piccolo, C, and the rarely used Bass (for base clef). The trumpet is continued to be modified and improved, as inventors produced the shepherds' crook and the tuning slide, then today with customizable mouthpieces, bells, lead pipes, valves and slides, and engravings. As much as it was used as a solo instrument in the time of Haydn and Bach
, it is considered generally nowadays as an orchestral instrument. But it is used for many different avocations, such as (professional) marching bands, jazz bands, weddings, school bands, and numerous others. Because of its flexibility, it can be modified to play in almost any key, suitable for any type of music played.
print out an application from the National Trumpet Competition Website. They must make a recording on a CD and send it in. There must be a piano
accompaniment and the piece must be a published standard from the trumpet
repertoire. They must also send in an application fee of $75 plus a $75 pianist fee. The CDs are reviewed and people are selected to come to George Mason University
to compete in person. Another option is to play in the Regional Trumpet Competition, which are held across many universities in the US. If won there, the participant has a "bye" to the semi-final round of the National Trumpet Competition, no CD required. However, they must still register online to participate.
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
. Trumpeters from all over the country come to George Mason around mid March to duke it out for the title of Best Trumpeter in their division.
The Instrument
The trumpetTrumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
is a member of the brass
Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.In comparison, bronze is principally an alloy of copper and tin...
family of instruments, which has been around since its first use in 2000 BC, later then evolved to be played for King Tut of Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. Around the beginning of the 19th century, the first valved trumpets that were made were the D, Eb, and G trumpets (as the descendant to the rotary trumpet made in the late 17th century). That, in effect, motivated composers to develop more lyrical, but technically difficult pieces because of the new trumpet's flexibility. At around the 19th to 20th century, the trumpet evolved further to many other keys, which were the Bb, Bb/A piccolo, C, and the rarely used Bass (for base clef). The trumpet is continued to be modified and improved, as inventors produced the shepherds' crook and the tuning slide, then today with customizable mouthpieces, bells, lead pipes, valves and slides, and engravings. As much as it was used as a solo instrument in the time of Haydn and Bach
Bạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
, it is considered generally nowadays as an orchestral instrument. But it is used for many different avocations, such as (professional) marching bands, jazz bands, weddings, school bands, and numerous others. Because of its flexibility, it can be modified to play in almost any key, suitable for any type of music played.
How People Apply
To apply, students from around the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
print out an application from the National Trumpet Competition Website. They must make a recording on a CD and send it in. There must be a piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
accompaniment and the piece must be a published standard from the trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
repertoire. They must also send in an application fee of $75 plus a $75 pianist fee. The CDs are reviewed and people are selected to come to George Mason University
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
to compete in person. Another option is to play in the Regional Trumpet Competition, which are held across many universities in the US. If won there, the participant has a "bye" to the semi-final round of the National Trumpet Competition, no CD required. However, they must still register online to participate.