WSO Names Manitoba`s Most Passionate Trumpet Player

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WSO Names Manitoba’s Most Passionate Trumpet Player
Winnipeg, MB – Nov 3, 2015 – Today, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO)
selected Dasha Silhova as Manitoba’s most passionate trumpet player from a video
submission contest they held called Blow Your Own Horn. The contest was held to
coincide with the WSO’s inaugural Trumpetfest, Nov 6-14, where they be bringing in
two international trumpet phemons – Australian Jazz star James Morrison and
Canadian Brass alumni Joe Burgstaller.
Blow Your Own Horn
Blow Your Own Horn asked local trumpet players to submit a short one to three
minute video that showcases why they love the trumpet, and them playing the
trumpet. Entries were submitted on social media by tagging the WSO on Twitter or
Instagram and using #trumpetfest, or posting on the WSO’s Facebook page. The
videos were judged on the entertainment of the video and how passionate the players
are.
18-year-old orchestral trumpet performance student Dasha Silhova was selected as the
winner for her clear passion in entering the contest! She has won four passes to the
WSO Trumpetfest, a Pro-Tec trumpet gig bag from Long & McQuade and a private
lesson with trumpet virtuoso Joe Burgstaller. Dasha used multiple locations throughout
Winnipeg, showcased her playing in Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and
shared her love for trumpet through poster cards.
Shane Hicks was awarded a close second place for his hilarious video trumpet to his
love of the trumpet.
TRUMPETFEST OVERVIEW
James Morrison: Trumpet Master
James Morrison joins the WSO in the opening Trumpetfest WSO Air Canada Pops
concert, Nov 6-9, which will take the audience through an odyssey of Jazz from
Dixieland to Bop, the Birth of the Blues to Birdland. Morrison will be joined by
Winnipeg Jazz vocalist Amber Epp.
Morrison is, by anybody’s standard, a virtuoso. Besides the trumpet, this multiinstrumentalist also plays trombone, euphonium, flugel horn, tuba, saxophones, double
bass and piano. He has performed with many of the Jazz greats including Dizzy
Gillespie, Cab Calloway, Woody Shaw, Red Rodney, George Benson, Ray Charles, B.B.
King, Ray Brown and Wynton Marsalis to name a few. Ray Brown calls him “The
Genius” but Wynton Marsalis said it best: “Man, James Morrison can play!"
Royal command performances include two occasions for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
II and for US Presidents Bush and Clinton at Parliament House in Australia. James has
been recognized for his service to the arts in Australia by being awarded a medal of
The Order of Australia by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In 2015, James established
the James Morrison Academy of Music in Mount Gambier, South Australia, an
innovative school dedicated to teaching jazz and offering an Associate Degree in
Music. To have James Morrison perform here in Winnipeg is truly an honour.
Let the Trumpets Resound: Joe Burgstaller
On the WSO Classics side, trumpet virtuoso Joe Burgstaller will perform Hummel’s
famed concerto like you’ve never heard it before, Nov 13-14, with guest conductor
Jean-Marie Zeitouni. Burgstaller thrills audiences throughout the world, but before he
toured worldwide, he was a member of Canadian Brass for eight years and the avantgarde Meridian Arts Ensemble for six years. Burgstaller has also become a clinician
with his groundbreaking masterclasses for all instruments called "Change Your Mind,
Change Your Playing®." He is Distinguished Faculty at The Peabody Institute (The
Johns Hopkins University) in Baltimore, MD, where he teaches trumpet and chamber
music.
Plus, there is a local connection with the evening’s program with the descendants of
Johann Nepomuk Hummel residing right here in Winnipeg. Hummel had many
interesting connections with some of the great composers. As a boy he lived and
studied with Mozart and worked as his assistant. He also had a friendly, yet at times
turbulent relationship with Beethoven (Hummel had married Beethoven’s exgirlfriend). Hummel’s descendants – Yvonne Hummel and her son Terry Lacoste - have
learned a great deal about their ancestor and have inherited many pieces of art,
mementos and instruments (including locks of Beethoven’s hair!). Terry will be
discussing all of this during pre-concert chats, Nov 14-15.
Stravinsky’s Petrushka also features the trumpet in its entertaining narrative of a
puppet suddenly endowed with life. Typically performed as a ballet, this concert will
use images projected on a screen to depict the music’s story with David Moroz on
piano. Plus, Canadian composer John Estacio’s Brio is a cinematic treat and a perfect
opener for this evening of vivid and visual music.
Trumpetfest Events
Trumpetfest concerts throughout the week, including Canzona’s Celebrating the
Baroque Cantata (Nov 8), Mârdi jazz presents the PRZM ensemble (Nov 10), the
Winnipeg Wind Ensemble features WSO musicians and many others in Trumpets
Galore (Nov 11), Richard Gillis, trumpet, and Will Bonness, piano, perform a free concert
at the Winnipeg Public Library (Nov 12), and Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra presents
Trumpet Summit (Nov 14-15).
Trumpetfest passes start at $79 (regular), and $59 for students.
Full details at wso.ca/trumpetfest
Air Canada Pops Series
James Morrison: Trumpet Master
Centennial Concert Hall
Julian Pellicano, conductor
James Morrison, trumpet and more!
Amber Epp, jazz vocalist
Friday, Nov 6 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, Nov 7 - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, Nov 8 - 2:00 p.m.
Pop Series Sponsor:
Presenting Media Sponsor:
Official Radio Station of the WSO Air Canada Pops:
MUSICIANS IN THE MAKING
Pre-concert performance on the Piano Nobile.
Friday, 7:15 p.m.
Salvation Army Heritage Park Temple Brass Band
Saturday, 7:15 p.m.
Rupertsland Brass Band
Sunday, 1:15 p.m.
The German Club Band
Classics B
Let the Trumpets Resound
Centennial Concert Hall
Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor
Joe Burgstaller, trumpet
David Moroz, piano
Friday, Nov 13 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, Nov 14 - 8:00 p.m.
Pre-concert chat on the Piano Nobile begins at 7:15 p.m.
MUSICIANS IN THE MAKING
Pre-concert performance on the Piano Nobile.
Friday, 7:35 p.m.
Brandon University Low Brass Ensemble
Saturday, 7:35 p.m.
University of Manitoba Brass Quintet
Official Radio Station of the WSO Classics:
Tickets start at $25 and are available through the WSO Box Office: 204.949.3999 or
wso.ca or Ticketmaster: 1.855.985.ARTS and Ticketmaster.ca
About WSO:
The WSO is integral to Winnipeg's rich cultural life, delighting more than 225,000
audience members each year with innovative programming and musical excellence. The
WSO presents educational programs for more than 40,000 students annually and tours
to communities across Manitoba.
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MEDIA: For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Sarah Panas, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
p. (204) 949-3970
f. (204) 956-4271
e: spanas@wso.mb.ca