Within the Sphere of the Master

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Table of Contents

Preface – Setting the Stage

Chapter 1 – Prelude 1949-1967

Chapter 2 – University of Michigan, CSO Recordings, and Early Adolph Herseth Lessons, 1967-1970

Chapter 3 – The Training Period in Chicago, 1971-1973

Chapter 4 – European Adventures, 1973-1975

Chapter 5 – Free-lancing in Chicago, 1975-1978

Chapter 6 – CSO Membership, January of 1979-November of 1996

Chapter 7 – Postlude, the After-Trumpet Years, November of 1996 Onward

Chapter 8 – Trumpet Lessons with Adolph Herseth

About the Author

Growing up in the north woods of Michigan, Tim Kent was not introduced to symphonic music until the age of 18 when he entered the University of Michigan School of Music. At that point, he had received eight years of solid training in the fundamentals of trumpet playing from his father at home. After four months of trumpet lessons from Clifford Lillya at the university, when Tim was still an absolute novice in symphonic music, he began his many years of training with Adolph Herseth. This period of intensive instruction from the master spanned Tim’s remaining college years, his two year stint in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, two years of playing in Germany and nearly four years of freelancing in Chicago. 

During the latter period, Tim played long running shows and musicals, recorded soundtracks for films and television and radio commercials, and continued to hone his symphonic trumpet skills.   Shortly before his 30th birthday, he was chosen by nationwide auditions to join the trumpet section of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, where he spent the next 18 years as a colleague of Bud Herseth. Thus, he is probably the only trumpet player who was taught and transformed by the master from an absolute green horn in symphonic music into a high level performer over a very extended long-term period. In addition, he worked closely with Bud on a daily basis as a colleague in his section for nearly two decades. 

These two experiences have given Tim a unique double perspective on the artistry of Adolph Herseth, as well as a deep insider’s view of the entire brass section of the Chicago Symphony and its inner workings.   Before turning age 48, Tim retired from the symphony to devote himself full time to his other career as an historical researcher and writer, focusing on the colonial and fur trade era of North America. 

About the Narrator

James Daniel Newcomb is a musician, author, entrepreneur, and devoted family man. He’s the host of two podcasts, Trumpet Dynamics, and Ba Vojdaan, the latter of which he co-hosts with his wife, Sana. James is the founder of JNS Media LLC, a direct publishing and digital media production service. He can be found on the web at jns.media. The Trumpet Dynamics podcast can be found on the web at trumpetdynamics.com.

Purchase the audiobook – $34.99

Please note instructions for accessing the audio will be emailed to you shortly after purchasing. If you do not hear from us within 24 hours of purchasing, send an email to help@jns.media

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