Instructors
JAMES KLUESNER, Professor
B.M., University of Iowa; M.M., Northwestern University; 1999-2000 recipient of the Carl Harter Distinguished Teaching Award. He is currently a member of the Madison Brass Quintet and the Skyline Brass Ensemble. His principal teachers include John Beer, Vincent Cichowicz and Adolph Herseth. He has served as principal trumpet with the Orchestra of the State Theater of Hessen in Wiesbaden, Germany, the Symphony Orchestra of Schleswig-Holstein in Flensburg, Germany and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Chicago Symphony and the Frankfurt Radio Orchestra. He formerly taught at Bemidji State University, the Akademie fur Tonkunst in Darmstadt, Germany, and the Wiesbaden Conservatory. He has performed at numerous regional and national conferences, including the International Trumpet Guild Conference, the Southeast Regional CBDNA Conference and the Virginia Music Educators Conference.
Email: kluesnjf@jmu.edu
PAUL NEEBE, Part Time Instructor
American trumpeter Paul Neebe has performed widely throughout the U.S. and Europe as both an acclaimed soloist and respected orchestral musician. Recognized for his beautiful solo sound and artistic flair, Dr. Neebe has also been praised for his commitment to commissioning and recording contemporary American works for the trumpet. In 2000, he commissioned the American Composer Roger Petrich to write a piece for trumpet and organ, a work premiered in Germany in 2002 and recorded on the German Label MDG in 2003. In addition, his solo World Premier recording with the Slovak Radio Symphony, titled “American Trumpet Concerto’s”, was released on Albany Records in 2006. Neebe recently commissioned several new American works for trumpet and orchestra by Dr. Walter Ross, Professor Emeritus of the University of Virginia, Dr. Eddie Bass, Professor Emeritus of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, as well as Roger Petrich, Organist of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill.
Paul Neebe currently is Principal Trumpet of the Roanoke Symphony, the Charlottesville Symphony, and the Wintergreen Festival Orchestra in Virginia. Dr. Neebe serves on the faculty of James Madison University and the University of Virginia. He received honors at the First International Trumpet Festival Competition in Moscow. In addition to numerous solo concerts throughout the U.S., he performs often in Germany
Dr. Neebe received both the Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from The Juilliard School. While at Juilliard, he was a member of the National Orchestra of New York, performing at Carnegie Hall. Neebe completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree at Catholic University of America. His teachers have included Bernard Adelstein, Arnold Jacobs, Steve Hendrickson, Douglas Myers, Vincent Penzarella, and William Vacchiano. For further information please visit: www.PaulNeebe.com.
Email: neebepm@jmu.edu
Trumpet Studio
Audition Information
Students who wish to pursue trumpet studies at James Madison University must first audition for acceptance into the School of Music. Trumpet Auditions consist of a minimum of two selections of contrasting styles and character that will demonstrate the student's technical and musical ability. Selections to be performed should be chosen from the standard repertoire for the trumpet and may include through-composed compositions, movements from a sonata or concerto, or a classical etude. Accompaniment for the audition is optional and memorization is not required.
In addition to the prepared selections, students will be asked to perform two octave major scales and to sight-read. Students with experience in jazz, orchestral excerpts, or piccolo trumpet are invited to perform in these areas, also. The final portion of the audition consists of a short interview with the JMU brass faculty.
If at all possible, students should plan to audition on one of the three-scheduled audition days for the School of Music. Those who are unable to do so may contact Professor Kluesner to arrange an alternate audition appointment.
JMU Audition Days
- January 26, February 16, 18, 2008
JMU Audition Application >>
