There is only one 24-trumpet musical ensemble in the United States, and it has its home in the Twin Cities! The Twin Cities Trumpet Ensemble (TCTE) was founded in 2014 by a trio of trumpeters who decided to invite others to join them for trumpet playing and camaraderie. It took only a few months for the group to grow to 24 of the best trumpet players in the area.
Under the direction of James Olcott and boasting a vast repertoire stretching from the Renaissance to the present, the TCTE has given numerous successful performances and is in demand for appearances around the region. For variety, the ensemble also boasts two smaller trumpet ensembles, a jazz group of six trumpets, and is augmented by timpani, a jazz rhythm section, and occasional low brass.
Fans of the TCTE have come to expect the obligatory opening fanfare at concerts, but then are astonished at the range and virtuosity of both the musical selections and the players. A Twin Cities Trumpet Ensemble concert is a musical feast not to be missed!
The Twin Cities Trumpet Ensemble is a 501(c)3 organization, recognized by the US Internal Revenue Service. All donations to the ensemble as tax-deductible. Visit our Donation Page to support the outreach of the TCTE.
TCTE Introductory Video:
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ABOUT THE DIRECTOR:
James Olcott was professor of trumpet for 35 years at Miami University (Ohio), where he led a dynamic trumpet studio with several top-notch ensembles. While at Miami he was an active player throughout the area and around the country in both jazz and classical genres, including holding the position of principal trumpet of the Cincinnati Ballet Orchestra for nearly 25 years. With an abiding interest in trumpet ensemble as a musical and pedagogical tool, he founded trumpet ensembles at Miami University, began the Cincinnati Herald Trumpet Ensemble in the early '80s, and has been a leading and ongoing proponent of the idiom throughout his adult life. It was partly for this reason that he was awarded the International Trumpet Guild's Award of Merit in 2005.
He has conducted jazz bands and brass groups throughout his 45-year teaching career, including professional, semi-pro, amateur, and student trumpet ensembles in Europe, Asia, and the United States.
As a composer and arranger of music for trumpet ensemble, his works are performed worldwide and are published by Crown Music Press of Chicago, Tromba Publications of Denver, and by his own publishing firm, Triplo Press, which he founded in 1991.
He has conducted jazz bands and brass groups throughout his 45-year teaching career, including professional, semi-pro, amateur, and student trumpet ensembles in Europe, Asia, and the United States.
As a composer and arranger of music for trumpet ensemble, his works are performed worldwide and are published by Crown Music Press of Chicago, Tromba Publications of Denver, and by his own publishing firm, Triplo Press, which he founded in 1991.
PERSONNEL:
The Twin Cities Trumpet Ensemble is proud to boast the following musicians on its roster:
The Twin Cities Trumpet Ensemble is proud to boast the following musicians on its roster:
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Director/Conductor:
James Olcott Trumpets: Neil Baumgartner Douglas Bradley Jerry Cerchia Miriam Dennis Kate DeVoe David Foley Paul Grustans Ron Hasselmann John Herlihy Franklin Hotzel Chris Houser Alex Kahler Tim Killam Greg Kimball Ehrich Koch Betty Mackay Scott McCullough Richard Miller Dan Odegaard |
Trumpets (cont):
Jeff Rudoy Jeffrey Sholl Jeffrey Schuh Scott Swanson Christopher Tank Greg Wyman Trumpet Alumni: John Ahern Mark Bobnick Martin Long Steve Hogenson Eric Johnson James Newcomb Phil Norris Brooke Palmer Christine Palmer Bill Simenson Ryan Stransky Nicole Young Robert Zobal |
Low Brass:
John England (euphonium/bass trumpet) Michael Haynes (euphonium/bass trumpet) Richard Burt (euphonium) Carl Sandberg (euphonium) John Rotenberry (tuba) Percussion: Julie Henry (timpani, percussion) Scott Milani Joe Richardson Rhythm section: Gary Gratz (piano) Joe Richardson (bass) Bruce Obermann (drums) |
LONG RANGE PLANS:
Each of the four groups rehearses once a month, working on the premise that the players understand the necessity of preparedness prior to rehearsals. This enables the group to move quickly to musical, rather than rhythmical or technical issues during rehearsals. Members of the Twin Cities Trumpet Ensemble are all dedicated musicians, and, working together, the group is rapidly becoming an important mainstay in the cultural landscape of the Twin Cities.
Each of the four groups rehearses once a month, working on the premise that the players understand the necessity of preparedness prior to rehearsals. This enables the group to move quickly to musical, rather than rhythmical or technical issues during rehearsals. Members of the Twin Cities Trumpet Ensemble are all dedicated musicians, and, working together, the group is rapidly becoming an important mainstay in the cultural landscape of the Twin Cities.
