Solo Duet Training for Trumpets

Solo Duet Training for Trumpets Solo Training Duets for Trumpets by Aaron Witek is appropriate for advanced high school through professional trumpet players. Solo Duet Training contains duets based upon six popular solo works and are intended to help trumpeters develop better rhythmic integrity, improve accuracy and intonation, enhance tone/sound concept, heighten concepts of style and phrasing, and achieve a greater awareness of and sensitivity to the orchestral and piano parts. The solo and accompaniment passages are evenly divided, and both parts are similar in difficulty. Solo Duet Training can be used to help students learn style and technique, as recreational musical diversions, or even as additions to recitals if an accompanist is not available. The duets include: Concerto by Franz Joseph Haydn (E-flat and B-flat versions), Concerto (first movement) by Johann Nepomuk Hummel (E-flat and B-flat versions), Concerto in E-flat (first movement) by Johan Baptist Georg Neruda (E-flat and B-flat versions), The Maid of the Mist by Herbert L. Clarke, Andante et Allegretto by Guillaume Balay, and Andante et Allegro by J. Guy-Ropartz (B-flat and C versions). “This unique duet book by Dr. Aaron Witek enables a student to hear the proper style of some well known pieces as they play with their teacher. Less talking, more playing is catalytic when the teacher shares parts of the melodic material. Bravo, Aaron!” - Vince DiMartino, International soloist, University of Kentucky (1972-93), Artist in Residence at Centre College (1993-2012) “Dr. Aaron Witek has developed an excellent pedagogical resource for students who are learning the foundational trumpet literature. Performing these works as duets is creative, engaging, productive, and fun. I have enjoyed using this new duet book in lessons with my students and highly recommend it!” - Dr. Jason Bergman, Brigham Young University “This book provides a unique opportunity for students to get beyond knowing just their solo line and to have more depth and understanding of the entire piece. Additionally, these duets can only help enhance style and sight-reading.” - Dr. Ryan Gardner, Oklahoma State University “Dr. Witek’s book of duets provides a unique opportunity to solidify concepts and interpretation of six of our most standard works. With versions for E-flat and B-flat trumpets, the duets for the Concerti of Haydn, Hummel, and Neruda provide an excellent means for a teacher to demonstrate style or for friends or colleagues to better match each other in the Classical idiom. The solos of Balay and Ropartz are standards in the younger student repertoire, and what better way to immerse oneself in the style than to perform them together with a teacher or friend? Finally, the charm of Clarke’s The Maid of the Mist is captured with lines that are evenly exchanged, providing a means to develop more solid technique and more mature musical concepts. Whether as a teacher using the material to convey stylistic concepts or as friends playing for pure enjoyment, Solo Duet Training for Trumpets is an excellent arrangement of standard repertoire for trumpet that provides a multitude of possibilities for stylistic development, pitch enhancement, and technical progress. Bravo, Dr. Witek, for creating such a valuable new resource!” - Dr. Christopher Moore, Professor of Trumpet, Florida State University “I found Dr. Witeks Solo Duet Training for Trumpets invaluable in my teaching! The writing is challenging for the students to play and quite interesting. The concept of taking pieces originally written for E-flat trumpet and putting them in duet form for B-flat trumpet is pure genius! Anyone who teaches needs this book!” - Ken Larson, Trumpet Instructor, Interlochen Arts Academy 87 pages, spiral bound to lay flat on the music stand Dr. Aaron Witek joined the faculty of Ithaca College’s School of Music in 2018 as Assistant Professor of Trumpet. From 2013-2018 he was Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) where he was part of the faculty ensemble in residence, Black Bayou Brass. Maintaining an active performance schedule, Dr. Witek has performed throughout the United States, China, and Australia. His playing experience includes the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra (LA); Monroe Symphony Orchestra (principal, LA); Sinfonia Gulf Coast Orchestra (FL); Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (FL); Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra (FL); Albany Symphony Orchestra (GA); and the Orchestra of Northern New York. As a soloist, Dr. Witek has performed with the International Shanghai Symphonic Band, Monroe Symphony Orchestra, Florida State University Symphonic Band, University of Louisiana Monroe Wind Ensemble, and the University of Louisiana Monroe Symphonic Band. He is an award recipient, winning first place in the Historic Division of the National Trumpet Competition and an International Trumpet Guild Scholarship. Dr. Witek has given recitals and master classes at many universities and conferences, including the International Trumpet Guild Conference, International Womens Brass Conference, Australasian Trumpet Academy,Trumpet Festival of the Southeast, Texas Music Educators Association Conference, Louisiana Music Educators’ Association Conference, and the Florida Music Educators’ Association Convention. He frequently has been an adjudicator at the International Trumpet Guild Conference and National Trumpet Competition. In addition, Dr. Witek is in demand as a clinician and has worked with ensembles throughout the United States. A noted author, Dr. Witek has been published numerous times in the International Trumpet Guild Journal. His book, Gordon Mathie: The Treasured Legacy of a Master Teacher and Performer, published by WR Enterprises, was released at the 2014 International Trumpet Guild Conference. Dr. Witek’s students have seen various successes, including recipients of ITG scholarships, semifinalists at the National Trumpet Competition, and a division finalist in the Music Teachers National Association Competition. Dr. Witek was recognized and presented with two awards from ULM: The Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching; and the College of Arts, Education, and Sciences Deans Award of Excellence. While a graduate student at The Florida State University (FSU), he was the recipient of a Teaching Achievement Award. In addition, during this time he directed the FSU trumpet ensemble – a group that had been a finalist at the National Trumpet Competition several times, and won second place. Since 2001, Dr. Witek has been involved with the marching arts activity as an instructor and designer. He has been Brass Pedagogical Coordinator at the ten-time Drum Corps International World Champion Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps and Assistant Brass Caption Head at the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. Dr. Witek earned a Doctorate of Music in Trumpet Performance from Florida State University, where he also completed his Master of Music degree in Performance. In addition, he received his Bachelor of Music in Education degree at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. His principal teachers have included Christopher Moore, Bryan Goff, John Ellis, and Alex Jokopi. Aaron Witek is proud to be a Conn-Selmer Vincent Bach and a Monster Oil Performing Artist.