Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Trumpet students prepare for national competition

Monday, December 9, 2019
The members of Trumpets of SEMO with their advisor and professor Kevin Tague.
Photo submitted by Alicia Stull

A lot that happen across the main campus and River Campus daily, but many go unnoticed. The Trumpets of SEMO are one of those things.

The Trumpets of SEMO, informally known simply as the Trumpet Club, is an organization for trumpet players, both as professionally and otherwise.

The group was created for students who are preparing to travel to Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, for the National Trumpet Competition over spring break in March 2020.

The students who began the club are all part of the trumpet studio class. By becoming an organization, it gives the students a chance to earn funding from the university and community so they can attend the competition.

Club president and sophomore Alicia Stull described the purpose of attending this competition as an important experience for multiple reasons.

“It is a very educational experience. There’s workshops you go to, and there’s obviously people from around the country who come to perform,” Stull said.

The club is not just for trumpet majors or those living on River Campus. Vice president and sophomore Jacob Wieher said the club is open to anyone.

“Trumpet Club is open up to all people who play the trumpet and want to come and even like main campus kids can come. It’s not just a ‘River Campus only’ or ‘we play the trumpet and you can’t’ kind of thing,” Wieher said. “If you play the trumpet and you want to play for fun, just to play, hear people play and get to go on these fun trips, you’re able to come in and join this club and be around that environment.”

The group plans to hold a recital before their trip in March to showcase their skills. It will include a soloist and multiple groups, including one playing Bohemian Rhapsody.

“It’s very well known what competition we’re going to, it’s pretty big if composers are writing their music to match this competition,” Stull said.

Stull, who’s original instrument of choice is the French Horn, said the group accepted her and made it easy for her to transition.

“I think this group is very easily open to anyone, even if you don’t play trumpet you can come hang out with us, we’ll literally teach you,” Stull said.

To learn more about the club contact Alicia Stull for more information.

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