What makes one player's sound instantly recognizable while another, equally accurate player blends into the background? We examine how the homogenization of orchestral playing in the modern era has made it harder to distinguish individuals, sections, and even entire orchestras.

We'll also hear from Manny Laureano, who shares a memorable story about not being able to identify a French orchestra playing French music — and what that says about where classical music is headed.

The episode closes with a profile of Roger Delmotte, one of the clearest examples of the French trumpet tradition in the 20th century.

In This Episode:

• Why "checking all the boxes" isn't the same as making an impact
• How global access to information and teachers has raised the standard — but narrowed the spread of individual identity
• Manny Laureano on how orchestral sound has changed over the past 50–60 years and why orchestras no longer sound as distinct as they once did
• The era when you could immediately identify the Philadelphia, Boston, or Chicago sound — and why that's harder today
• Manny's story of driving and failing to recognize a French orchestra playing French repertoire

Trumpeter You Should Know: Roger Delmotte — a defining voice of the French trumpet tradition, his training at the Paris Conservatoire, his career with the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire, and his legacy as a teacher and recording artist

Call to Action

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow brass player. Support the show and check out our sponsor — Arete Brass at aretebrass.com.

LetsTalkTrumpet #Trumpet #BrassPlaying #TrumpetLife #ClassicalMusic #OrchestraLife #FrenchTrumpet #RogerDelmotte #MannyLaureano #TrumpetPlayer #MusicEducation #BrassMusician #TrumpetCommunity #AreteBreass #MusicIdentity #OrchestralMusic #TrumpetTeacher #WindInstruments #ClassicalTrumpet #PracticeRoom

What happens the moment you become aware of what’s possible? In this episode, we explore the thin line between playing it safe and truly going for it.

What begins as a reflection on risk in trumpet playing expands into a deeper look at leadership, mindset, and the role of awareness in shaping performance.

You’ll hear Manny Laureano describe a powerful moment from a final concert for a colleague, and why choosing not to hold back matters.

We close by highlighting the late, great Timofei Dokshizer, a true trumpet master who's playing embodied expression at the edge of control.

Highlights:

• The split-second decision: go for it or play it safe
• Why “don’t miss” thinking limits musical impact
• How leadership from the podium shapes risk-taking
• Performing at the edge of your comfort zone

Trumpeter You Should Know More About:

Timofei Dokshizer

CTA:

aretebrass.com

#Trumpet

#BrassLife

#Musicianship

#PracticeSmart

#AreteBrass

Featuring insights from Paul Cassarly, including his experience in the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and his work as the “Lo Fi Trumpet Guy,” this episode connects military-level repetition with musical freedom.

We also highlight Chris Botti as a master of control, tone, and intentional expression.

Highlights

• Confidence is built through repetition, not emotion
• Memorization frees your mind for musical expression
• “Rote” practice eliminates hesitation under pressure
• Communication—not perfection—is the goal of playing
• Control and restraint define great players like Chris Botti

Paul Cassarly YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lofitrumpetguy

CTA

aretebrass.com

Highlights

• Most missed notes are caused by hesitation, not lack of ability
• The difference between first and second attempts is often attention
• Why commitment matters more than “playing it safe”
• Manny Laureano on mindset and musical belief
• The overlooked legacy of Georges Mager

aretebrass.com

**Although this podcast uses certain AI tools to assist in the production process, the content contained therein is entirely original and is the exclusive intellectual property of James D. Newcomb and Arete Brass.

Highlights:

• The difference between improvement and opportunity
• Why competence alone doesn’t sustain a career
• The hidden hierarchy: competence, reliability, adaptability, trust
• Insights from Manny Laureano on what gets you hired
• Adolph Herseth as a model of long-term professional trust

aretebrass.com

In this episode, we explore the idea of the trumpet as a “first love,” and what happens when that relationship evolves over time. What begins as curiosity and discovery can gradually take on weight—expectation, responsibility, even fatigue.

Without offering easy answers or technical solutions, this episode reflects on that shift and invites listeners to consider their own relationship with the instrument. Not how they play—but why they play, and what, if anything, has changed along the way.

Highlights

• The trumpet as a formative, first meaningful pursuit
• How relationships with the instrument evolve over time
• The subtle shift from freedom to expectation
• Recognizing internal tension without trying to resolve it immediately
• Reflecting on what the instrument represents now

aretebrass.com

#FirstLove #TrumpetLife #MusicianMindset #BrassPlayers #AreteBrass

*This episode incorporates the use of AI tools to aid in the production process.

5 Highlights:

• Breath awareness as the starting point of all trumpet playing
• Why most players overlook air despite its central role
• The connection between breathing and musical intention
• Insights from Nathaniel Mayfield on sound and approach
• Conrad Gozzo’s legacy as a dominant studio trumpeter

Precision. Power. Purpose.

Visit aretebrass.com

#Trumpet #BrassPlaying #MusicEducation #PracticeSmart #AreteBrass

Highlights

• Why “practice makes perfect” is misleading
• The difference between immediate improvements and long-term development
• How small adjustments compound into real progress
• Nathaniel Mayfield on competition, burnout, and stepping away
• Rebuilding a healthy relationship with the trumpet
• Clark Terry’s approach to communication and longevity

Trumpeter You've Probably Never Heard of, But Should Have

Clark Terry – A master of effortless communication on the trumpet, known for his warmth of sound, rhythmic clarity, and decades-long career spanning Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and the NBC Tonight Show Band. His philosophy—imitate, assimilate, innovate—remains a cornerstone of musical development.

Precision. Power. Purpose. Unmistakable Energy.

Visit https://aretebrass.com to learn more.

#Trumpet #TrumpetPlayer #Brass #MusicEducation #Practice #Musicianship #Jazz #ClarkTerry #AreteBrass #LetsTalkTrumpet

Highlights

• Musical thought must dominate physical mechanics
• High range is not a different technique, just faster vibration
• Letting go of outcomes can unlock your best playing
• The Baroque trumpet as a pathway to deeper musical understanding
• Bunny Berigan’s sound as a model of lyrical, complete musicianship
• Why the trumpet you’re playing right now is enough

Hashtags

#Trumpet #TrumpetPodcast #ArnoldJacobs #NathanielMayfield #BunnyBerigan #BrassPlaying #MusicMindset #AreteBrass #PrecisionPowerPurpose

Highlights

• Why beginner gear questions often miss the point
• The danger of “mouthpiece roulette”
• Consistency vs. constant optimization
• A featured clip from Nathaniel Mayfield
• The legacy and sound of Bix Beiderbecke

Precision. Power. Purpose.

Visit aretebrass.com to learn more.

#Trumpet #Brass #TrumpetPlayer #MusicPodcast #Jazz #BixBeiderbecke #Practice #Musicianship #AreteBrass #LetsTalkTrumpet

In this discussion, we engage with Micah Wilkinson, the principal trumpet of the Pittsburgh Symphony, who elucidates the intricacies of navigating auditions, emphasizing that the key to success lies not in rising to the occasion but in relying upon the foundation one has meticulously built over time.

We examine the multifaceted nature of performance anxiety, the importance of articulation, and the subtle nuances that differentiate those who advance from those who do not. Furthermore, Wilkinson shares his personal journey, shedding light on the rigorous preparation that fosters both confidence and reliability in high-pressure situations.

This conversation serves as a vital resource for musicians aiming to refine their audition techniques, ensuring that they not only perform adequately but excel in their endeavors.

Takeaways:

1. When preparing for auditions, reliance on one's foundational skills is paramount for success.
2. Managing performance anxiety is essential, as nerves can severely impact audition outcomes.
3. Achieving consistency in practice is critical, as it enables reliable execution during important performances.
4. A captivating sound is crucial in auditions, as it compels the committee to listen further.
5. Articulation clarity significantly influences the perception of a performance during auditions.
6. The initial impression made in an audition can determine whether one continues to be heard by the committee.

Links referenced in this episode:

1. Build My Online Persona
2. jamesdnewcomb.com

In this episode, James Newcomb is joined by Brian Neal, longtime trumpeter with the Dallas Brass and Professor of Trumpet at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music.

Together, they explore what lies beyond technical mastery in music—why virtuosity alone is not enough, and how true musical communication depends on vulnerability, context, and shared human experience.

Drawing from performance, pedagogy, and decades on stage, the conversation examines how music conveys meaning words cannot, and why the highest form of musicianship is connection, not display.

Resources mentioned:

Brian Neal's Website: https://briannealtrumpet.com

Dallas Brass: https://www.dallasbrass.com

Brian Neal’s Concertante - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLTQjr4_u7M

jamesdnewcomb.com

The act of improvisation, once dismissed, is now recognized as a crucial skill for all musicians, including classical players. Chris' contributions to trumpet pedagogy stem from his personal challenges and experiences, leading him to publish method books.

Links referenced in this episode:

jamesdnewcomb.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

1. Philadelphia Orchestra
2. Eugene Ormandy
3. New York Brass Quintet
4. Library of Congress
5. Watergate
6. Maynard Ferguson
7. Doc Severinsen
8. Rafael Mendez
9. Wynton Marsalis
10. Juilliard School
11. Eastman School of Music
12. Charles Colin Publications
13. Bobby Hackett
14. Duke Ellington

Mr. Adelstein reflects on his early start as a teenage professional during World War II, the harsh realities of auditions and daily life in American orchestras during the 1950’s and 60’s, and what it was like to perform under legendary conductors such as Fritz Reiner and George Szell.

Along the way, he offers candid insights on leadership, precision, humility, and why music critics so often miss the point of that which they’re critiquing entirely.

Topics Discussed

* Entering the Pittsburgh Symphony at age sixteen

* Learning musicianship during World War II

* Performing under Fritz Reiner and George Szell

* Life inside the Cleveland Orchestra during its golden era

* Touring, recording, and winning major awards

* The realities and absurdities of orchestral auditions

* Why critics matter less than musicians think

* Playing The Rite of Spring then and now

Keywords: Bernard Adelstein, Cleveland Orchestra, principal trumpet, orchestral trumpet, George Szell, Fritz Reiner, classical music history, professional musicianship, orchestral life

Hashtags:#ThatsWhatIMeantToSay#BernardAdelstein#ClevelandOrchestra#PrincipalTrumpet#ClassicalMusic#OrchestralLife#MusicHistory#Trumpet

https://jamesdnewcomb.com

Nikolay shares his musical journey beginning in the sixth grade, his advanced studies in Switzerland with Jean Francois Michel, and his time in the UK. He discusses the unique aspects of Bulgarian music culture, including the importance of folk music and the tradition of wind bands.

Nikolay is launching a new line of trumpets and flugelhorns and has created 'Music Youth Prospects for Vidin' to support young, financially disadvantaged musicians in Bulgaria.

The episode provides insights into Bulgarian musical traditions and Nikolay’s innovative contributions to brass instrument production.

Episode Highlights:

01:42 Nikolay's Musical Journey

02:53 The Music Scene in Bulgaria

06:38 Innovative Trumpet and Flugelhorn Designs

12:03 Supporting Young Musicians in Bulgaria

13:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources Mentioned:

Music Youth Prospects for Vidin

Connect With the Guest:

Bulgarian trumpet player and brass educator (born July 18, 1975), Nikolay Iliev was born in Vidin, Bulgaria (in the North West of the country). He started playing trumpet at the age of 14 and studied for few years under local professional orchestral and band trumpeters.

In 1999 he enrolled in the trumpet class of Jean-François Michel (a former principal trumpet with the Munich philharmonic)at the Fribourg Conservatoire (Switzerland) and continued his education at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester (UK) under the guidance of Murray Greig and John Miller.

After returning to his home town of Vidin he took on a principal trumpet role with Vidin Philharmonic for 2 years then spent 5 years in Antalya, Turkey playing in show bands for local touristic resorts .

He spent two more years as an orchestral trumpeter (mostly pit work) with Razgrad Philharmonic in Bulgaria before going back to Vidin, this time as a a music directo and music theory teacher for a local school profiled in music and playing for the Vidin Municipality wind band.

In the beginning of 2025 he reopened his company Brass Universe Ltd (which was closed for more than 10 years) and build his first brass instrument (a flugelhorn). He has also started a fund to help local youth musicians with finances for participation in competitions, masterclasses and summer camps.

You've been listening to Trumpet Dynamics, telling the story of the trumpet, in the words of those who play it.

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