NAU trumpet students receive individualized lesson plans to fulfill their potential and realize their career goals.  In addition to applied lessons with Professor Dunn, the following tools are used in order to achieve success: Studio Class Trumpet Ensemble Chamber Ensembles Pedagogy Repertoire Basic Fundamentals Orchestral Excerpts Group Lessons

Studio Class

At NAU, studio class is an important component of the curriculum.  Representative topics covered in studio class include student performances with constructive criticism from colleagues and the instructor, intonation workshop, articulation, tone production, tools for musical expression, and embouchure maintenance. 

Trumpet Ensemble and Chamber Ensembles

The NAU trumpet ensemble performs regularly at the Festival of Trumpets, where in addition to performing works requiring from one to fifteen trumpets, students also perform along side professional guest artists.  This year’s guest is Charles Berginc (principal trumpet of the Phoenix Symphony).  Last years artist was Nick Norton (Principal Trumpet of the Utah Symphony).  Students also have the opportunity to register for Brass Quintet, which is offered each semester.  The format is one hour of coaching from a brass faculty member and at least one hour of rehearsal each week.  The number of performances during a semester varies from group to group.

Pedagogy and Repertoire

Pedagogy class covers strategies for teaching trumpet and further developing one’s craft after graduation.  Designed for upper class students and grad students, Pedagogy class is designed to help students learn to become effective teachers.  Pedagogy is usually paired with a course in Trumpet Repertoire, which overviews some of the best music written for trumpet from the Renaissance Era to the present

Basic Fundamentals

All trumpet students are required to spend time developing their fundamentals every day.  Texts used for this requirement include: Clarke-Technical Studies, Plog-Method Books I and II, Stamp-Daily Warm-Ups, Cichowicz-Flow Studies, Arban-Complete Conservatory Method, and numerous scale and arpeggio exercises. 

Orchestral Excerpts

Students will form orchestral sections in order to learn ensemble skills and develop the appropriate style for each excerpt.  Some of the most prominent passages in orchestral literature are covered including: Mahler - Symphony # 5, Mussorgsky/Ravel – Pictures at an Exhibition, and Stravinsky – Petroushka.

Group Lessons

NAU trumpet students have two to three group lessons per semester.  This provides the opportunity for students to see their colleagues working through some of the same steps that they are working on themselves—giving another perspective that often really helps with individual progress.  Also, group excerpts are performed, giving each student a chance to play 1st , 2nd , and 3rd parts and learn to match style and tune appropriately for the part they are playing.