Robert W. Trumpet, Trombone, Music Theory, Harmony, Folk Guitar and Singing Boston, MA

First piano lessons - age 6. First trumpet lessons - age 9 (wanted to play trombone but my arms were too short!). Studied Traditional Harmony and Music Theory with my piano teacher from age 12 Studied trumpet with John Coffey, former principal trombone of the Boston Symphony Orchestra at age 14. Taught myself guitar - age 19. Play 12-string guitar and sing folk, gospel, and C&W with various groups, including my own three children from the time they were old enough to stand up and sing at a church supper! Band Director and Instrumental music teacher, grades 7-12, Hopkinton Public Schools Classical voice studies with Elizabeth Johnson, Boston Jazz vocal studies with Charles Sorrento, Berklee Professor Trumpet studies with Jeff Stout, Professor, Berklee College of Music Trumpet studies and ensemble work with Charles Lewis, Christine Fawson, Tiger Okoshi, Paul Fontaine, Ron Mahdi, Tony Lada, George Zonce, Mili Bermejo, Victor Mendoza, Fernando Brandao, and Ken Cervenka at Berklee College of Music Currently: Trumpet and rhythm section arranger for Boston Community Gospel Choir, Dennis Slaughter, Director. Bass-baritone soloist/section leader, St. John Evangelist Episcopal Church, Hingham Instrumental music instructor, Philbrick Elementary School in Roslindale, classes in trumpet, trombone and percussion I enjoy listening to and playing music in many styles and from many cultures and historical eras, from J.S. Bach to Duke Ellington, Beethoven to Willie Nelson, classical to rock to gospel. Through all styles of music the fundamentals remain the same, and that is why I am strongly committed to having students learn well the basics of music.

I believe in the classical education, and by that I mean that the fundamentals of reading music and learning the melodies of the great composers are the solid basis for being a good musician.   But I believe that music should be something that you enjoy, that playing your instrument should be fun and rewarding for its own sake.   And I believe that playing by ear and improvising is equally important as being able to read the score.  

I try to gear my lessons to the individual player, looking for what will interest them and challenge them to develop musically, building on the student's strengths, finding ways to improve the student's weaknesses.   When one of my 3rd graders comes in and starts playing a little riff or tune they made up, I pick up on it and take the opportunity to explore their musical idea and relate it to the lesson material that we are studying.

I look forward every week to hearing my students as they grow and acquire new musical vocabulary and build their playing strength and their musical knowledge.  The more you know, the more fun it is to play and the more other musicians you can play with!  And that's what it's all about in the end.   I want my students above all, to learn something that they will have all their life and which will always be there for you to have fun and impress your friends too!

So give me a call!   I look forward to hearing from you!

jazz, classical, gospel, folk

Trumpet, Trombone, Music Theory, Harmony, Folk Guitar and Singing