Trumpet "Dream Team"

Canadian Brass announced the creation of a ‘trumpet dream team’ to fill its trumpet positions (April 2006). Anchoring the team is Joe Burgstaller. Well known to Brass audiences for his musical inventiveness, unbelievable technical proficiency and his heart-rending ballads, Joe has resumed his permanent appointment after a year soloing and performing in New York City. 

Joining Joe on the other trumpet position will be a plethora of trumpet greatness. Ronald Romm, original trumpeter of the group and member for 29 years, Manon Lafrance (Professeure de trompette at the Conservatoire de musique de Montreal and first female member), Brandon Ridenour who will be performing in upcoming appearances and concerts, Ryan Anthony (acting principal trumpet of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra), Jeroen Berwaerts (principal trumpet of the Hamburg Radio Symphony) and Stuart Laughton (original trumpet player of the Brass in 1970).

“This is an unusual opportunity for both us as performers and for our fans and friends,” says Chuck.  “Ronnie virtually invented today’s challenging role for trumpet in a brass quintet, equally at home playing Bach and jazz, Mozart and Beatles. Now he will be coming back to perform with the very artists that grew up in his inspiration.”

Manon has been attracting a lot of attention this season as the first woman to join the Canadian Brass on tour. She has an extensive and honoured position in Canadian music world, having played in the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, and l'Orchestre des Grands Ballets Canadiens. She can be heard on numerous recordings of traditional and contemporary works, including the 2007 holiday release Christmas Tradition. Manon is Professeure de trompette at the Conservatoire de musique de Montreal.

The Brass met Brandon in 2005 during their annual residency at Music Academy of the West. After studying and playing with them, Brandon was asked to join the group in 2006 and, in the same year, was also International Trumpet Guild solo competition winner, a featured soloist twice with the National Symphony Orchestra, and recipient of an honorable mention from ASCAP's Morton Gould Young Composer competition. A '07 graduate of the Juilliard School, Brandon has already made a mark as a trumpet soloist, chamber musician, composer, and arranger. Brandon and his father, pianist Rich Ridenour, have an extensive performing career as a father-son duo, as featured on their Trumpet Invasion CD.

One of those who had joined the Brass knowing Ron’s style inside and out was Ryan, who first came to the attention of the group as a teenager in California. Performing in workshop, he brought the crowd to its feet playing one of Canadian Brass’ own signature showpieces. The Brass decided they needed to keep an eye out for Ryan. Several years after he graduated from the Cleveland Instititute of Music, the call was made to have him fill Ronnie’s shoes.

This past January on tour in Germany, for the first time in its 36-year history, the Brass had an unexpected last minute emergency requiring a trumpet substitute. As Jeroen tells the story, “I had called Joe about three hours before their concert to ask for a ticket. Joe said he had a better idea, that I wouldn’t need a ticket if I were to simply bring my trumpet and play along.” And play along he did! German critics were unanimous throughout the tour that the group sounded exciting, fresh and very gifted with Jeroen’s musical contribution.

And in one of the most interesting stories in all chamber music history, Stuart rejoined the Canadian Brass in 2003 after a 32-year absence, having left the fledgling group to attend college. To be able to return to be part of this amazing success story is unprecedented in music group relationships.   

Gene mused that, “Collectively, this array of trumpet performers represents the finest players in the world today. To be able to have them perform with us as members of the Canadian Brass is indeed a dream. We’re sure our audiences will thank us for making this unique opportunity come to life.”

Check the concert calendar for the trumpet "team" line-up for each concert and appearance of the Brass.

Joe Burgstaller, anchor of the trumpet dream team: