Notes from the Back Row

A trumpet player's view from the back row

Notes from the Back Row

While technically not the actual back row of a band, nothing behind the trumpet section is all that important anyway. Spoken like a true trumpet player — and still, I love every colleague who shares this music.

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The Back Row

This site shares thoughts and music from playing trumpet in bands for 40 years and counting — concert bands, symphonic bands, and wind ensembles.

"Trumpet players are just belligerent and cocky and you know, just hard-headed."— Wynton Marsalis
"The trumpet is the hardest, most frustrating and unforgiving instrument you can play."— Arturo Sandoval

Listen

Studio projects, concert captures, and highlights from the Air National Guard Flag of Stars album.

Go to Listen →

Ensembles

Finest City Wind Orchestra, North County Winds, and Coastal Community Concert Band.

See ensembles →

YouTube

More playing, opinions, and section-leader notes on the channel.

Open channel →

Draft note: home hero uses the new black-and-white band seating schematic recreation (option B). Photoreal stage kept as fallback class `.hero-photo`.