Lucky "Kid"

Craig Swartz · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2020 6:11 pm Post subject: Lucky "Kid"

College studio is all online so far this year and teaching without actually meeting freshmen students in-person can have some drawbacks. I was working with a new student for the 5th lesson this week when I asked him what horn he was playing- figured it was a student line but couldn't make it out on the screen. No first valve trigger or ring/saddle, lacquer, normal stuff.

He told me his HS teacher (a non-trumpet player, obviously as you'll see) was letting him us this trumpet his Jr and Sr year because he was still playing on a student model. When he graduated the teacher took his in on "trade" and let him have this one for $200 extra. I asked him what it was and he said a Back Stradivarius. I asked him to read me what was on the bell and of course, it's a Mt. Vernon. Kid (and his old teacher) had no idea. Appears to have no wear showing, can't wait to meet him on campus someday if they ever allow students and staff back. Told him to take very good care of it. I need to find another clarinet playing band teacher who wants to trade me a trumpet...

HaveTrumpetWillTravel · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2020 7:31 pm Post subject:

Great story! Lucky kid indeed! Tell him to do right by that horn

Is he in music ed or performance?

blbaumgarn · Heavyweight Member Joined: 26 Jul 2017 Posts: 705

I love stories like that. I hope he appreciates the history he is playing. It's a great deal, though. Wonderful motivator to want to play better, and more.
_________________
"There are two sides to a trumpeter's personality,
there is one that lives to lay waste to woodwinds and strings, leaving them lie blue and lifeless along a swath of destruction that is a
trumpeter's fury-then there is the dark side!" Irving Bush