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A Study of Prominent African-American Orchestral Trumpet Players from 1970 to 2018 Demarr Ray Woods

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A Study of Prominent African-American Orchestral Trumpet Players from 1970 to 2018 Demarr Ray Woods University of Northern Colorado Scholarship & Creative Works @ Digital UNC Dissertations Student Research 8-2018 A Study of Prominent African-American Orchestral Trumpet Players from 1970 to 2018 Demarr Ray Woods Follow this and additional works at: https://digscholarship.unco.edu/dissertations Recommended Citation Woods, Demarr Ray, "A Study of Prominent African-American Orchestral Trumpet Players from 1970 to 2018" (2018). Dissertations. 527. https://digscholarship.unco.edu/dissertations/527 This Text is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Research at Scholarship & Creative Works @ Digital UNC. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholarship & Creative Works @ Digital UNC. For more information, please contact [email protected]. © 2018 Demarr Ray Woods ALL RIGHTS RESERVED UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO Greeley, Colorado The Graduate School A STUDY OF PROMINENT AFRICAN-AMERICAN ORCHESTRAL TRUMPET PLAYERS FROM 1970 TO 2018 A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Arts Demarr Ray Woods College of Performing and Visual Arts School of Music Music Performance August 2018 This dissertation by: Demarr Ray Woods Entitled: A Study of Prominent African-American Orchestral Trumpet Players from 1970 to 2018. has been approved as meeting the requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Arts in the College of Performing and Visual Arts in the School of Music, Program of Music Performance. Accepted by the Doctoral Committee _______________________________________________________ Kenneth Singleton, D.M.A., Research Advisor _______________________________________________________ Jonathan Bellman, D.M.A., Committee Member _______________________________________________________ Diane Bolden-Taylor, D.M.A., Committee Member _______________________________________________________ Travis Boyce, Ph.D., Faculty Representative Date of Dissertation Defense: __________________________________ Accepted by the Graduate School _______________________________________________________ Linda L. Black, Ed.D. Associate Provost and Dean Graduate School of International Admissions ABSTRACT Woods, Demarr Ray. A Study of Prominent African-American Orchestral Trumpet Players from 1970 to 2018. Published Doctor of Arts dissertation, University of Northern Colorado, 2018. Classically-trained African-American musicians often experience the world of professional music differently from their peers in American orchestras. This dissertation explores the African-American experience through case studies based on interviews with five prominent orchestral trumpet players, all performers at the peak of their careers between 1970 and 2018. Subjects discussed not only the racial issues affecting their education, employment, and professional lives, but also offered insights regarding music preparation, stress management, and their place in a world where they are overwhelmingly outnumbered. While the primary goal of this study is to shine a light on racism within classical music, it also calls attention to performing organizations and educators that effectively identify and address racial inequality and act upon it. The ultimate goal, however, is to lay the groundwork for a better tomorrow, a world in which young African-American musicians are not only inspired, but encouraged to pursue careers in orchestral trumpet playing. The ultimate goal, however, is to lay the groundwork for a better tomorrow, a world in which young African-American musicians are not only inspired, but encouraged to pursue careers in orchestral trumpet playing. The results of this study could act as a catalyst for other instrumentalists of color who desire to affect social change. Interview subjects included Langston Fitzgerald III, Billy Hunter Jr., Tage Larsen, Lyman Brodie, and Rodney Marsalis. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my research advisor, Dr. Kenneth Singleton, for his patience and guidance throughout this dissertation process. I am also indebted to my committee members — Dr. Jonathan Bellman, Dr. Diane Bolden-Taylor, and Dr. Travis Boyce for their advice and care. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Langston Fitzgerald III, Lyman Brodie, Rodney Marsalis, Billy Hunter Jr., and Tage Larsen. This dissertation would not have happened without their generous participation. I am so very thankful for endless support from my mother, Sharon; my father Ray; and the love of my life, Yuvthida. Last but not least, a special thank you to all who contributed to this dissertation behind the scenes, and to all of the teachers, mentors, and friends who supported me. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 1 Methodology ......................................................................................... 2 Overview of Principal Subjects ............................................................. 3 Project Relevance .................................................................................. 6 CHAPTER II RACISM IN AMERICAN MUSIC .................................................... 12 A Place of Our Own ............................................................................ 23 Conclusion ........................................................................................... 28 CHAPTER III CASE STUDIES ................................................................................. 30 Case Study No. 1: Langston Fitzgerald, III ........................................ 30 Early Life ..................................................................................... 31 Military Bands: Barriers Against African-Americans ................ 34 Further Roadblocks to a Professional Career .............................. 38 Conclusion ................................................................................... 41 Case Study No. 2: Billy Ray Hunter, Jr. .............................................. 42 Early Life ..................................................................................... 43 University Education ................................................................... 44 Professional Life and Experiences on the Job ............................. 47 Conclusion ................................................................................... 50 Case Study No. 3: Tage Larsen ........................................................... 50 University Education ................................................................... 52 Professional Life .......................................................................... 53 Conclusion ................................................................................... 56 Case Study No. 4: Lyman Brodie ....................................................... 56 Early Life ..................................................................................... 57 University Education ................................................................... 58 Professional Career ...................................................................... 60 Conclusion .................................................................................... 63 v Case Study No. 5: Rodney Marsalis ................................................... 63 Early Life ..................................................................................... 64 University Education ................................................................... 68 Professional Career ...................................................................... 69 Conclusion ................................................................................... 73 CHAPTER IV PERSEVERANCE .............................................................................. 74 CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................. 77 The Sphinx Organization .................................................................... 82 Detroit Symphony Orchestra .............................................................. 87 Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra ......................................................... 90 Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra .......................................................... 91 Imani Winds ........................................................................................ 93 Final Thoughts .................................................................................... 95 BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................... 98 APPENDICES ............................................................................................................... 103 APPENDIX A: PRELIMINARY DOCUMENTS ............................................ 104 Sample contact letters ............................................................................ 105 Sample consent form ............................................................................. 106 Sample interview questions ................................................................... 107 APPENDIX B: SIGNED CONSENT FORMS .................................................. 110 Langston Fitzgerald, III ......................................................................... 111 Billy Ray Hunter, Jr. .............................................................................. 112 Tage Larsen ........................................................................................... 113 Lyman Brodie .......................................................................................
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