The 2013-2014 MTSU Trumpet Studio
Joe Gross
Trumpeter, flugelhornist, composer, and arranger Joe Gross started playing cornet at age 10, switched over to the trumpet at age 12 and has been at it ever since. He studied trumpet and brass techniques with such masters as Don Heidemann, Matt Comerford, William Carroll, Terry Sawchuk, Ron Modell, Arnold Jacobs, Vince Cichowicz, and Bill Adam. Joe learned jazz theory and improvisation from experts Dan Haerle, Rufus Reid, David Baker, Dave Leibman, and Tim Hagans. Mr. Gross explored composition and arranging under Frank Mantooth while studying music at Northern Illinois University, and advanced it further under Adam Holzman. He also studied at Northeastern Illinois University, where he met and played with great musicians such as Rod McGaha, Art Porter, Jesse Davis, Kenny Davis, and Ron Blake.
Joe started playing professionally at age 15, soon becoming one of the most in demand trumpet players in the Chicago area. Over the years, he has worked with many excellent musicians, including Peter Nero, Michel LeGrande, Nelson Riddle, Lou Marini, Jon Faddis, Phil Wilson, Clark Terry, Carl Fontana, James Moody, Jeff Jarvis, Chris Vadala, Manny Albam, and Bob Curnow. Mr. Gross auditioned for and won a position working with Louise Mandrell in 1991, where he also worked with her sisters, Barbara and Erlene. In 1995, Joe also auditioned for and won a position with the Jazz Knights, where he remained a regular member and featured soloist until January, 2003. The band is a component of the United States Military Academy Band, stationed in West Point, New York. It is one of the Army’s premier Special Bands. Mr. Gross currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee, and is already very active in the music scene. During his short time in Nashville, he has performed with Claude McKnight of Take 6, and Jeff Coffin and Roy “Futureman” Wooten, of Bela Fleck and the Fleck Tones, and Chester Thompson, Phil Collins’ drummer. |
My name is Danny Ford. I am a junior Music Education major here at MTSU. I attended Father Ryan High School and graduated in 2011. I have performed with the Band of Blue, Symphonic Band, Trumpet Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra. I have taught with the Springfield High School Marching Band for the last two seasons. I am a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity. Outside of music I enjoy hiking, fishing, and spending time with my family and friends.
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I am Donovan Sisco from Memphis, Tennessee. I attended Bolton high school in Arlington ,Tennessee. I am a transfer student from the University of Memphis school of music. I am a Music Education and vocal performance major. I generally enjoy all things of fine arts: dramas, instrumental music, opera, dance, and visual arts. I hope to accomplish a degree in Music Education where I can share my love for the art to another generation.
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My name is Brittany Belcher, and I am from Gallatin, TN, but am originally from a small town in Kentucky. I have been playing trumpet for almost 7 years now and followed in the footsteps of both my parents who were also music majors. Through high school I was involved in Curb Youth Symphony for 3 years, and multiple other honor bands including Mid-State and All-County. Outside of music I have been involved as an Audio Engineer and have been an audio tech/stage manager for almost 5 years. I love my 3 dogs, watching scary movies, and I have an obsession with cars. |
A native of LaFayette, TN, Rebecca White is an instrumental performance major. She graduated from Campbell County High School and has been playing trumpet since the eighth grade. After considering several other schools, she confidently made the decision to attend MTSU. This decision was based primarily upon the high level of achievement of the trumpet studio and a desire to study with Dr. Michael Arndt. She is involved with several facets of MTSU’s student programming organization where she hopes to gain experience to aid her in a possible career in Arts Administration |
Katie Kelly is from Memphis, Tennessee and attended Bolton High School. She is an Instrumental Music Performance major with a concentration in Classical Trumpet. Katie is the School of Music Chair for Omega Delta Psi Recording Industry Fraternity and is a member of the Music Students Advisory Council. Katie has participated in the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Salsa Band, Jazz Ensemble I, Commercial Music Ensemble, Trumpet Ensemble and MTSU's undergraduate brass quintet Dedico Brass. You can also hear Katie's playing on recording projects such as Jordan Fenton's 2013 album "Coal Mines." You can communicate with Katie through Linkedin! |
I am a young man that enjoys sharing God's gift of music to others with my trumpet. I am a student at MTSU, currently my major is Computer science with a minor in mathematics, and a music performance major. I plan on developing an algorithm for human emotions for atificial intelligence, and I want to travel the world performing in a German orchertra and a British brass band, and where ever God sends me. I went to Oakland high school and was an IB student. My hobbies include playing chess, and questioning life. Oh and I practice trumpet at least four hours a day. Ask my roommate.
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Josh Merbitz, Sophomore - I was born on August 31, 1990 in Greenville, MS but I was raised in Smyrna, TN. I started playing trumpet when I was 10 years old in 6th grade. My favorite piece of music is Second Suite in F by Gustav Holst. My hobbies include spending time with my friends, video games, tv, rock climbing, swimming and marching band/drum corps. I chose MTSU because I had heard the music program was one of the best. It’s also close to home so I can still see my family. I hope to teach high school band after I graduate and work on getting my Master’s Degree and hopefully teach a college marching band in the future. I’m a war veteran and spent six months in Afghanistan in 2009 with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5.
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James Sartain, originally from Murfreesboro Tennessee, attended Siegel High School. After graduation, James chose to attend MTSU for Instrumental Music Education. While at MTSU, James has joined the brotherhood of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. His hobbies outside of music include activities such as racquetball, backpacking, and golfing.
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Kyle Smiley, Sophomore - My name is Kyle and I am studying Trumpet Performance at MTSU. I was born in Colorado Springs and traveled around the world with my family until I came back to Tennessee for the fifth grade where I started playing. My favorite composer is Shostakovich and in my free time I like to play tennis and racquetball. After I graduate I hope to get my master’s degree in performance.
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Chris Waterman
My name is Christopher Waterman. I am a sophomore at Middle Tennessee University and graduated from Coffee County Central High School in 2012. I am currently pursuing a major in trumpet performance, but I would like to pursue a career in the medical field. I have participated in many honors ensembles including Tennessee's Governor's School for the arts and Tennessee's All State Band. My favorite trumpet player is Michael Arndt
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Carter Noblin, Junior - I’m an Instrumental Music Education major from Mount Juliet, TN. My favorite composer is Frank Ticheli. I am the Academic Affairs officer for the Omicron Tau chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. I am also the co-Vice President of the Band of Blue. In the trumpet studio, I am the co-founder/president of NC publications.
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I am Heath Lester. I was born in Tullahoma, Tennessee in 1990 and was raised in Manchester, Tennessee where I was a student throughout grade school in Coffee County Schools . My major is Instrumental Music Education with my instrument being trumpet. I have enjoyed playing in many large and chamber ensemble from symphonic bands to jazz combos. My current hobbies include writing, composing, and debates and conversation on musical and educational pedagogy.
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Shannon Stewart, Senior
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Jim McCarl is a fifth year Music Education major here at MTSU. He has pursued a career teaching trumpet privately as well as working with numerous bands on their fall marching staff. Most recently, Jim was offered a position as a trumpet tech for Music City Drum Corps based in Nashville, TN. During his time at Middle Tennessee he has performed with various ensembles including, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Salsa Band, Jazz Band and is a founding member of the Congraliochton Brass Quintet. He has also had the chance to travel to Central America with the MTSU Wind Ensemble. His primary teachers have included Dr. Michael Arndt, Dr. Reed Thomas, and Mr. Craig Cornish. Upon graduation, he wishes to teach high school somewhere in the North Carolina area and eventually pursue masters and doctorate degrees in Music Education with an emphasis on Conducting.
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DJ is a trumpet player specializing in performance. From Atlanta, Georgia, He received his bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University. While at Georgia State, DJ was principal trumpet of the school’s Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Ensemble. He was also an honors recital winner, University Scholar Assistantship recipient, and winner of the Dave Cady Memorial Scholarship. Outside of school, DJ has played in groups such as the Huntsville Symphony, Gwinnett Ballet, Peach State Summer Theatre, College Light Opera Company, and Delta Brass Quintet. He has also been active in drum corps, playing lead trumpet in Spirit drum and bugle corps and Carolina Crown drum and bugle corps. DJ’s principal teachers include Yvonne Toll, Amanda Pepping, and Michael Arndt. DJ has also studied in master classes with Phil Smith and Mark Hughes.
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