20 Questions with Kyle Sherman! Mr. Sherman serves as Principal Trumpet of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held since 2016. Kyle heads to Durango, Colorado most summers for the Music in the Mountains festival, and regularly appears as a clinician and recitalist at universities throughout Texas and the United States. Kyle is a Yamaha Artist, and you’ll recognize him from our Houghton Horns’ TMEA Etude Video Series ?
1. What was your first instrument and how old were you when you started?
My mom was the organist and choir director for our church, so I sang before anything else. When I was 5, I had a little solo with the church choir, and I’m pretty sure we have that on cassette tape somewhere.
2. Could you describe what would be your perfect day?
The day I’m most looking forward to right now is in late July or early August, the first of a few days I’ll spend off the grid in Colorado camping and hiking in the mountains.
3. Most memorable performance?
Two in particular: my trial week as principal trumpet in FWSO was the gala, in which we performed Strauss Rosenkavalier Suite. I bought a whole row of seats for friends and family. I’ll also never forget playing Mahler 5 and Four Last Songs after our Principal Violist, Laura Bruton, had passed away that morning.
4. Significant teachers/mentors in your life?
Ruben Colon, Roy Poper, Fred Mills, Allan Dean, Tom Rolfs, David Cooper, Debbie Brooks, Glen Hummel, Adam Gordon, Tom Cupples, and Ryan Anthony, just to name a few. I’m also continually learning from my fantastic colleagues here in our trumpet section, Oscar Garcia and Cody McClarty.
5. Something you’ve been meaning to try, but just haven’t gotten around to it?
Skydiving.
6. Favorite symphony?
I’m sure it’s Mahler 2, 3 7, or, 8… One of those.
7. When was the last time you cried, and why?
Probably when my dad passed away.
8. If money was no object, what would you buy?
I’d have to go with an exotic car- Lamborghini, Mclaren, or Ferrari. I’d need to test drive a few first, though!
9. One thing most people don’t know about you?
That’s a tough question! I have a really dry sense of humor, and sometimes it’s fun to watch new friends or acquaintances figure that out on the fly.
10. Opera or ballet?
Opera.
11. First job?
Subway sandwich artist, 17 years old! $6 an hour and a free sandwich. It took me 4 months to save up enough to put subwoofers in the trunk of my Honda Civic.
12. Favorite sports team?
Rangers, Cowboys, Mavericks, in that order.
13. If you could invite one person to dinner tonight, who would it be?
Wynton Marsalis.
14. Coffee or Tea?
Cold brew coffee and espresso.
15. Favorite book?
Like 5 Stephen King books all tied for first place.
16. Favorite movie?
True Lies.
17. Siblings?
I have 3 half sisters who are all quite a bit older than me (so I never knew them growing up). We rarely see each other, but it’s always amazing when we do reconnect!
18. Favorite piece to play?
Just about anything Strauss. The first call in the middle of Zarathustra is a particularly special moment.
19. Least favorite piece to play?
Rachmaninoff Paginini Variations.
20. Dogs or cats?
Dogs! We have a terrier mutt with an underbite named Seymour.