Benjamin Taylor and Dr. David Brown, School of Music

The primary goal of this project was to compose a companion duet for eight of the sixteen etudes in Concert Studies for Trumpet, providing a pedagogical tool for use in the trumpet studio at BYU. The remaining eight etudes were already completed as part of a similar project last year. Now that the entire set of sixteen duets are complete, I plan to submit the project for publication.

This project has been a wonderful experience for me to get real world experience while still in college. Very few student composers have the opportunity to get original work published. This recognition will be a very important distinction that set me apart from other applicants as I apply for graduate school programs.

I have completed the composing of the second set of eight etudes and all details went as planned. The duets were entered into Finale, a professional software notation program and are ready for publication. We are in the process now of presenting these duets to a publisher.

The trumpet studio at BYU was a great help to me as I drafted the duets. Many students participated in informal reading sessions where I could see and hear exactly how the duets would sound. David Brown also started using them in individual lessons and so I received feedback from him as well during the composing process.

During fall semester of 2008, the final drafts of the first eight duets were assigned by David Brown to partners in the trumpet studio to practice and have them ready to perform a few weeks later. I was present at the performance of these duets in the trumpet masterclass and was very satisfied with the results. A few small items were brought to my attention that I have since edited for clarity.

The composing process was not as straightforward as I anticipated. The original trumpet solos were written by a variety of composers each with a unique style and sound. It was a challenge approaching each piece that functioned very well on its own and then try to write an additional part that would compliment the solo and stay within the context the original composer had established. Additionally, I wanted my own voice to be heard and for the second part to not just be an accompaniment to the first part; rather, to be of equal importance- an equal dialogue between the two trumpets.

Many times I found it difficult to have the second trumpet player lead out rhythmically. Without being able to put any sort of cues into the first trumpet part, I was handicapped in that the second player was limited to following. However, I was able to get around that several times where the first part has a written rest and so the second part fills in that rest.

Overall, this was a great learning experience for me. I am thankful to have been given this opportunity to compose music for a pedagogical purpose. I foresee that many trumpet players will benefit from these duets. I also know this experience will open the door for me by giving me an opportunity to have my own music published.