One of the challenges of playing with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (and also with the Glen Miller Orchestra) is that the music is on a dance band “front,” a low-level music stand that works fine when you’re seated. But when you stand up, the music is low to the ground. How do you keep your…

Tomorrow (April 12), I’m playing 3rd trumpet with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra! It’s very exciting, but it’s also been a lot of work – 50 pages of music. Some of it is easy, some of it is the difficulty I expected, but some of it is HARD! It’s been a great motivation to practice. Fortunately,…

My dissertation, Substitution of Trumpets in Orchestral Music – Origins, Development, and Contemporary Practices, is now online.

Henderson Trumpet Programs Henderson Brass Ensemble Programs

Jazz great Lou Marini is coming to Henderson State University on Monday, November 6th, thanks to the HSU Trumpet Guild! He will be backed up by the Arkansas All-Star Big Band! Tickets are on sale at EventBrite.

I’ve decided to post my high brass methods textbook on this website to make it publicly available.(Note: the links were not working in the previous textbook. I’ve corrected that (and a few other things) and uploaded a new version on May 14, 2023.) Please know that I realize there are other ways of teaching and…

I have to get in better shape for the amount of playing I have to do the weekend of the James Morrison concert, so I’m practicing more. (I know, I know, that only makes sense.) I’m slowly increasing the amount of time I put in each day so that I don’t hurt myself and slow…

The phenomenal trumpeter/trombonist/saxophonist/pianist/bass player/guitar player James Morrison will perform at Henderson State University on Sunday, April 23rd at 7 pm in Arkansas Hall. Backing him up will be a wonderful big band, including many members of the Arkansas All-Star Big Band. It’s going to be great!!

After 46 years of teaching, I’ve decided to retire…but not from playing! This last year has been enormously rewarding — great students, wonderful colleagues — and now it’s time for something else. (Yes, that still includes practicing, hopefully much more than I’ve been able to do for years.)

This was a great clinic! Here’s a clickable link to the video: Jesse Gibens trumpet clinic, 4/14/22