West Chester University’s esteemed Wells School of Music will present the 15^th Annual Trumpet Festival from Feb. 16-18.  Events take place on and off campus over three days. Some events are ticketed.

The Trumpet Festival’s daily events include exhibits, coachings, warm-ups, and classes on Friday and Saturday in West Chester University’s Wells School of Music, Swope Music Building and the Performing Arts Center (817 S. High Street, West Chester). The events are open to trumpet players of all ages. Musicians everywhere are encouraged to bring their trumpets and join in the fun. Companies exhibiting include Yamaha Corporation of America, Baltimore Brass Co., A Minor Tune Up, Pickett Brass & Blackburn Trumpets, Warburton Music Products, and Maller Brass Instruments.

Two evening performances will take place on Friday, Feb. 16, and Saturday, Feb. 17, both at 7:30 PM on West Chester University’s campus in the Emily K. Asplundh Concert Hall, Philips Memorial Building (700 S. High Street).

Friday’s concert of the U.S. Army Concert Band is free and open to the public. The concert features soloists Jean-Christophe Dobrzelewski, Robert Skoniczin, Brian Kuszik, Brianne Borden, Andrea Tofanelli, Joey Tartell, Scott Belck, Bryan Appleby-Wineberg, John Marchiando, and William Stowman.

The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” is a premier music organization of the U.S. Army, founded in 1922 by Army Chief of Staff and General of the Armies, John J. Pershing. The band provides musical support for the leadership of the United States, including all branches of government, and engages in various events to connect the American people to their Army.

On Saturday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 PM, West Chester University’s Criterions Jazz Ensemble will play with featured soloist and guest artists Tafanelli, Tartell, and Belck. This event is ticketed, though student tickets are free. Tickets range in price from $7-$12.

Guest artist Tofanelli was born in Italy and graduated from the Lucca Conservatory specializing in classical studies and jazz studies. He has performed worldwide with artists that include Maynard Ferguson, Randy Brecker, Luciano Pavarotti, Paul Anka, Tom Jones, Burt Bacharach, Michael Bublè, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Petula Clark, among others. As an international trumpet artist and jazz/classical music educator, he regularly performs and gives masterclasses around the world. Tofanelli is both a Professor of Classical Trumpet in Italy at the Vecchi-Tonelli Conservatory in Modena and a Professor of Jazz Trumpet at the prestigious Fiesole School of Music in Florence.

An additional ticketed concert featuring Tromba Mundi (World Trumpet Ensemble) takes place off-campus on Sunday, Feb. 18, at 4 PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church (10 West Pleasant Grove Road).

Tromba Mundi was founded in 2007 to engage in the exploration, promotion, and performance of new works for trumpet ensemble. Tromba Mundi has recorded several world premiere compositions and continues to commission new music for the genre. They are dedicated to drawing the attention of students, professionals, and brass music aficionados to the thrilling sounds of the trumpet ensemble. Each ensemble member is a professional performer and professor from various universities across the United States. They have released three CDs with a fourth to come.

Learn more about upcoming events at WCU and how it offers over 180 diverse academic opportunities, with degrees ranging from accounting to African American studies to marine biology.