UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA GRADUATE COLLEGE THE INFLUENCE OF THE TEACHING CONCEPTS OF WILLIAM ADAM ON FOUR FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE FACULTY in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS By MARK WILCOX Norman, Oklahoma 2009 THE INFLUENCE OF THE TEACHING CONCEPTS OF WILLIAM ADAM ON FOUR FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS A DISSERTATION APPROVED FOR THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC BY ________________________________ Dr. Karl Sievers ________________________________ Dr. Irvin Wagner ________________________________ Dr. Eugene Enrico ________________________________ Dr. Roland Barrett ________________________________ Dr. Judith Pender © Copyright by MARK WILCOX 2009 All Rights Reserved. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to thank Dr. Karl Sievers, not only for his assistance with this research but also for being a colleague, teacher, mentor, and friend. Dr. Sievers introduced me to William Adam, whose instruction revolutionized my playing and teaching. Dr. Sievers provides inspiration and serves as an exemplary model of a university trumpet professor. This document would not have been possible without his support. I would also like to thank the other subjects of this research, Gregory Wing, James Stokes, and Robert Slack. They gave freely of their time to organize and share their thoughts regarding the effect of William Adam’s influence on their playing and teaching. The value of their insights cannot be overstated. These insights will enhance the legacy of William Adam. Finally, this document would not have been possible without the loving support of my wife, Helen. Her constant encouragement and understanding of the time commitment required by this research have been invaluable. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ................................................................................................ iv List of Tables .......................................................................................................... vi Abstract .................................................................................................................. vii Chapter 1. Introduction ................................................................................................... 1 2. William Adam ............................................................................................. 15 3. Karl Sievers ................................................................................................. 28 4. Gregory Wing .............................................................................................. 42 5. James Stokes ................................................................................................ 54 6. Robert Slack ................................................................................................ 69 7. Conclusions ................................................................................................. 83 Bibliography .......................................................................................................... 98 Appendix A. Interview Questionnaire ........................................................................... 105 B. Ancillary Readings Recommended by William Adam ......................................................... 107 C. Interview Transcriptions ........................................................................... 110 v LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Examples of students of William Adam: Orchestral ...................................... 2 2. Examples of students of William Adam: Commercial ................................... 2 3. Examples of students of William Adam: College or University Professors ................................................................ 3 vi ABSTRACT William Adam enjoys a reputation as one of the most important trumpet teachers in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and is known as a pedagogue who develops highly proficient trumpet performers and teachers. Adam earned this reputation primarily as professor of trumpet at Indiana University from 1946-1988. This document examines the musical lives of four of Adam's students who are successful both as trumpet performers and teachers at post-secondary institutions: Dr. Karl Sievers, Professor of Trumpet at the University of Oklahoma (Norman, Oklahoma); Robert Slack, Professor of Trumpet and Director of Instrumental Music at Citrus College (Glendora, California); Dr. James Stokes, Professor of Trumpet at Appalachian State University (Boone, North Carolina); and Gregory Wing, Professor of Trumpet at Morehead State University (Morehead, Kentucky). These individuals exhibit diverse playing expertise—from commercial to orchestral, from Broadway shows to ballet pit orchestras—demonstrating that Adam’s pedagogy transcends musical style. Adam utilizes a holistic teaching style. A course of study with Adam involves more than trumpet playing. Through supplementary reading and personal encouragement, he positively affects the student’s self-image. In master classes, Adam focuses as much or more on developing a strong, collegial character as on trumpet performance. Additionally, Adam emphasizes concentration on the desired sound vii rather than the physical aspects of playing the trumpet. The primary method he uses is modeling the desired sound and instructing the student to copy his example. This document investigates the efficacy of Adam’s pedagogy as employed by his students, its relevance to diverse musical genres, and how he teaches life lessons via the study of the trumpet. Interviews with four first-generation Adam students provide free-response opportunities to identify which aspects of Adam’s teaching approach have the greatest impact. Comparison and analysis of responses ultimately lead to the conclusion that Adam’s process can be adapted by others, given sufficient understanding of his concepts. Ideally, this document will lead to greater understanding within the profession of one of the most important pedagogues of our time. viii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION William Adam enjoys a reputation as one of the most important trumpet teachers in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and is known as a pedagogue who develops highly proficient trumpet performers and teachers. Adam earned this reputation primarily as professor of trumpet at Indiana University from 1946-1988. Since his retirement from this position, Adam continues to teach in his private studio with new and continuing students benefiting from his tutelage. Adam continues to remain active as a pedagogue by serving as a clinician at universities and conferences throughout the United States. University clinics include the University of California at Los Angeles, the University of Illinois, the University of Nevada, Appalachian State University, California State University at Chico, the University of Cincinnati, and the University of Alaska. Adam also performed and lectured at the first conference of the International Trumpet Guild (ITG) in 1975, and in 2004, this organization honored him with their Award of Merit. 1 Although Adam has high profile performances in his resume, including appearances with the Denver Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Judy Garland, his strength as a pedagogue is the focus of this document. This strength is 1The ITG Award of merit is given to those individuals who have made substantial contributions to the art of trumpet playing through performance, teaching, publishing, research, composition, and/or support of the goals of the International Trumpet Guild. Past recipients of the award include Bengt Eklund, Frank Kaderabek, Steven Glover, John Haynie, Leonard Candalaria, and Raymond Crisara. 1 substantiated by the success of his students. Adam’s students perform in a variety of genres and at the highest levels of the music profession, as evidenced by the select examples listed below. Table 1. Examples of Students of William Adam: Orchestral Name Performance Credits Robert Platt Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Susan Slaughter St. Louis Symphony Bert Truax Dallas Symphony Orchestra John Rommel Louisville Orchestra John Head Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Robert Baca Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Karl Sievers Oklahoma City Philharmonic James Olcott Cincinnati Ballet Orchestra Table 2. Examples of Students of William Adam: Commercial Name Performance Credits Charley Davis Buddy Rich and Woody Herman Big Bands, Movie and Television sound tracks Jerry Hey Commercial recording artist and collaborator with Quincy Jones Bobby Burns Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross, Earth Wind and Fire Dominic Spera Andy Williams, Henry Mancini, Frank Sinatra Chris Botti Sting, Paul Simon, recording artist Gary Grant Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand Jeff Conrad Ray Charles, Cats (national tour), My Fair Lady (Japanese tour) Walt Blanton Tony Bennett, Henry Mancini, James Brown John Harbaugh Tom Jones, Paul Anka, Buddy Rich 2 Table 3. Examples of Students of William Adam: College or University Professors Name University/College Pat Harbison Indiana University, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music John Rommel Indiana University John Harbaugh Central Washington University, University of Alaska-Fairbanks Karl Sievers University of Oklahoma, Wright State University, Northwest Missouri State University Gregory Wing Morehead State University James Stokes Capital University Conservatory of Music, Appalachian State University Robert Slack Citrus College John Almeida University of Central Florida Robert Baca University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire The accomplishments of Adam’s