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WCU Trumpet Festival 2004
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The Fairchild Studio
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On January 16th & 17th a few of the Pope Trumpeters and friends went to the Western Carolina University Trumpet Festival. At the festival there were many master classes and concerts by famous trumpet players such as Jon Faddis, Laurie Frink, Mark Clodfelter, Denver Dill, etc. The picture to the left is of all of the people from Georgia and were included in the "Fairchild Studio". Those from Pope included Chris R, Sarah G, Whitney R, Taylor S, & Michael M. Our trumpet instructor Kay Fairchild and her son David Fairchild (band director at Lakeside High) were present as well as three of Kay's private students from Gwinnett County. Those three were Clayton C (Peachtree Ridge H.S.), Jeremy B (Dacula H.S.), and Ryan (North Gwinnett).
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Mr. Jon Faddis and the "gang"
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These pictures to the left are of the "Fairchild Studio" with Mr. Jon Faddis. Faddis performed a concert on Friday night of the festival and held a masterclass on Saturday afternoon. Jeremy B was chosen to play with Mr. Faddis and had a lesson with him in front of the entire festival participants. Faddis was INCREDIBLE! He can play so well and he sounds exactly like Louis Armstrong, and so many other great jazz musicians, but yet he has his own style too. During his concert, Faddis seemed to really pick on Ryan and it was hilarious. Besides the concert, his masterclass was very informative and everyone was able to learn something from him. It was quite an experience learning and listening to Mr. Jon Faddis.
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Ms. Laurie Frink & the "Fairchild Studio"
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To the left are two pictures of the "Fairchild Studio" and Ms. Laurie Frink. Ms. Frink is a specialist in teaching the "Methods of Carmine Caruso." Clayton C was able to have a lesson with her in front of all of the festival participants and played extremely well. She discussed many different playing exercises that can help you become a better trumpet player. Her exercises seemed difficult but made a lot of sense and really taught people what they need to be working on and practicing. Her masterclass was VERY insightful and was FULL of quality information and suggestions.
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Mark Clodfelter & "Fairchild Studio"
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To the left are pictures of Mr. Mark Clodfelter and the "Georgia Gang." Mr. Clodfelter is the trumpet professor at the University of Kentucky. His trumpet studio has currently been touring selected cities of the south and they performed at the finale concert of the festival as well. Mr. Clodfelter held a masterclass at the WCU trumpet festival on Saturday morning and discussed the process of warming up. He had all the participants of the festival on stage and together we went through a bunch of different exercises based upon fundamentals that truly helped us warm up! Besides his masterclass, Mr. Clodfelter performed in a quintet with other fellow professors, conducted the UK Trumpet Ensemble, and conducted the collegiate/professional trumpet ensemble from the festival participants.
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The Hangout - Ryan's Steakhouse
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The final evening of the festival the "Fairchild Studio" went to Ryan's Steakhouse and had a blast. It was our final evening together away from home and we decided just to have fun and really enjoy each other's company. We laughed, took pictures, played practical jokes, etc. We just had a great time. To the left are some pictures of the "gang" at Ryan's.
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Kay's Big Surprise
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While at Ryan's Steakhouse, Clayton, Dave, Jeremy, Ryan, and Sarah decided to play a joke on Kay by telling our waiter that it was Kay's birthday. And as all of us know when there is a birthday at Ryan's, there is ALWAYS embarrassment! So while we were all eating our dinner, the five trouble makers were hiding their snickering and giggles from Kay and were waiting for the BIG surprise. Finally, a few waiters and waitresses came out and sang this birthday song and gave Kay a little cake. She was shocked and thankfully wasn't mad! But, WE GOT HER!! Her birthday was actually only a week later so it worked out well. Anyway, these pictures are of Kay when she was surprised with the birthday festivities!
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Goofing off with Kay
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Whenever you spend time with Kay, you HAVE to annoy and goof off with her. The pictures to the left are a few of the crazy moments we had at Ryan's. These are only a few of the hilarious memories we had on this trip. The picture on top is of Kay, Taylor & Michael. Kay is holding up the cake she got for her "birthday." The picture on the bottom is of the half eaten cake Taylor is about to shove in Kay's face! Too bad he didn't go through with it ;)
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More fun with Kay
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As you can see, we really had a lot of fun this weekend! Kay is so much fun to joke with. She's pretty much our second mom or our mom away from home. The pictures to the left are of some more of our fun times with Kay. The picture on top is of Sarah and Kay and the picture on bottom is Kay strangling Taylor...poor guy!
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The gals & them rednecks too
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The pictures to the left are VERY important pictures. The picture on top is of the girls of the "Fairchild Studio." Whitney, Kay and Sarah were pleased to have control over the boys on this trip...haha, just kidding! The picture on the bottom is of the "rednecks" of Gwinnett County. Jeremy, Clayton, and Ryan behaved well throughout the weekend with only a few redneck moments :)
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Overall we, the "Fairchild Studio," had a great weekend. We learned a lot, met a lot of people, and truly enjoyed our time together. It was a great weekend to get away from Georgia and have fun. Everything from hearing Jon Faddis and the UK Trumpet Ensemble to listening intently to Ms. Laurie Frink was fabulous. A great experience for young and old and a weekend none of us will ever forget.
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