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 trumpet quintets, 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:
| Member Information Pamphlet |
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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Trumpets:
John Ahern Neil Baumgartner Peter Berg Mark Bobnick* Douglas Bradley Jerry Cerchia Ron Chamberlain Miriam Dennis Kate DeVoe David Foley Paul Grustans Ron Hasselmann John Herlihy Steve Hogenson* Franklin Hotzel Chris Houser Eric Johnson* Jeff Katz Alex Kahler Tim Killam Greg Kimball Ehrich Koch Brett Krohn |
Martin Long* Betty Mackay Scott McCullough Richard Miller James Newcomb* Phil Norris* Dan Odegaard Brooke Palmer Christine Palmer* Jeff Rudoy Jeffrey Sholl Jeffrey Schuh Bill Simenson Ryan Stransky* Scott Swanson Christopher Tank Keith Thompson* Steven Thompson Derek Thorsteinsson Nathan Waller Greg Wyman Nicole Young* Nathan Waller Robert Zobal * = alumni |
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: Alex Rench (guitar) Sheldon Hoch (guitar) 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 and professional musicians in their own right. Working together, we plan to become a mainstay in the cultural landscape of the Twin Cities for many years.
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 and professional musicians in their own right. Working together, we plan to become a mainstay in the cultural landscape of the Twin Cities for many years.
