What an unforgettable day! Our Higher Faster Louder Trumpet Day was a huge success, bringing together students, educators, professionals, and enthusiasts from across the community for a full day of music-making, inspiration, and learning. We were thrilled to welcome such a strong turnout of over 50 registered attendees, and the energy in our new space was electrifying from start to finish.Trumpet Optimization with Wayne Tanabe (Senior Technical Manager, Yamaha Artist Services), who presented eye-opening strategies for unlocking the full potential of your instrument. From mouthpiece clocking to understanding the effects of valve guards and other attachments that dampen vibration, Wayne also touched on simple but often overlooked details like water key corks, all of which can make a remarkable difference in sound and playability.
Masterclasses & Presentations from our outstanding guest artists. Kyle Sherman (Principal Trumpet of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and Trumpet faculty at the University of North Texas) shared invaluable insights on this year's TMEA All-State Etudes, while McKenna Hill (University of North Texas Doctoral Candidate and Trumpet faculty at East Texas A&M University) guided players through essential concepts to strengthen their foundation through fundamentals.
Performance Wisdom from Brian Walker (Associate Professor of Trumpet at the University of North Texas), who gave a powerful session on audition preparation and the expectations students face in both academic and professional settings. His talk was full of practical advice on how to approach competitions, auditions, and performance opportunities with clarity and confidence. One big takeaway: being asked to play a section again or with a different style is a good thing!
Live Performances from Kyle Sherman, Cody McClarty (Assistant Principal Trumpet of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and Trumpet faculty at Texas Wesleyan University), and McKenna Hill, showcasing artistry across a wide range of styles and reminding us just how versatile the trumpet can be.
Roundtable Q&A, where attendees had the rare chance to ask direct questions and engage in conversation with our esteemed guest artists. Fun fact: while most trumpet players amass a collection of mouthpieces over the years, some a definite yes or no but many in-between, McKenna has surprisingly only played on one mouthpiece during her career!
Instrument Petting Zoo, always a crowd favorite, where players of all levels explored a wide variety of trumpets, mouthpieces, and accessories. A huge thank you to Yamaha and Conn-Selmer for generously providing instruments for this experience!
Visit us at 137 Hill Street, Keller, TX 76248, where we also offer one-on-one instrument appointments with our trained team of specialists. Whether you’re searching for your first professional horn or your next upgrade, we’ll help find the trumpet that’s right for YOU.