A Study of Standard Trumpet Repertoire Through Recital Preparation and Performance

Abstract

Undergoing the process of preparing a Senior Recital is a requirement of all music students at East Carolina University. The performance serves as an opportunity to showcase the musical studies that the student has diligently completed through lessons, practice, research, and performance throughout their college career. I utilized this opportunity to go beyond the basic requirements of a Senior Recital by incorporating a research and lecture component focused on the pieces of the recital. The selections studied in this project consist of Concerto a Tromba principale by Johann Nepomuk Hummel, Sonata for Trumpet and Piano by Kent Kennan, Légende by Georges Enesco, and Brèves Rencontres by Jacques Castérède. These pieces were selected based on several factors: difficulty, historical context, and contrast within the repertoire are among the greatest factors. The written component of this project discusses the background and context of each piece while providing the reader with information unique to each piece. Most, if not all, of the information researched is to be shared in a lecture format as an additional component to my Senior Recital. Each component of this project has bettered my own understanding of standard trumpet repertoire as well as the process of performance preparation.