Professional Documents
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John Hagstrom: Philip Biggs
John Hagstrom: Philip Biggs
I
make no secret of the fact that John’s illustrious career, as a professional have inherited. I have learned lots from
Chicago is one of my favourite musician, instrument designer, teacher, so many of the previous trumpet players
cities in the world, so a spring historian - in fact a complete resource in the CSO. Each of them has added
was certainly in my step as I made my centre. something to the sound of the orchestra
way the few hundred yards along and I have worked to incorporate
Michigan Avenue to Orchestra Hall as many of those qualities into my
after dropping the bags off in my playing as possible. It is definitely a
hotel. It’s John Hagstrom that I am full time job! I still feel so lucky to
about to interview and quite frankly, have had the chance to be part of this
I can’t wait. team of players. No matter how much
work one does to learn and improve,
John Hagstrom, 17 years a member of
there is always so much more to be
the world famed brass section of the
accomplished. As Bud Herseth used to
Chicago Symphony and a man who has
say when we would talk about this - ‘It
such a width and range of knowledge
never ends!’ ”
of all things brass. I first met John at
the MidWest Clinic back in December It’s a well documented fact that
and found what he had to say so John has worked very closely with
compelling that I vowed that at the first the Yamaha Corporation to create
possible opportunity I would attempt to new trumpet designs. “Working with
meet up with him to find out more and Yamaha is such a pleasure,” John tells
share it with all Brass Herald readers. me. “Yamaha has a great capacity for
creativity. I don’t pretend - nobody at
John has just completed a gruelling
Yamaha pretends - that designing a
rehearsal in Orchestra Hall with
trumpet is an easy process. I started
Ricardo Muti and I wonder if following
working with Yamaha in 2000
a hard afternoon’s work he may rather
and have helped to create several
just wish to wind down and relax. Not
professional trumpet designs that
a bit of it - John was the consummate
include their top selling Chicago Artist
host; he couldn’t wait to start the John Hagstrom. Model series Bb and C trumpets. I have
interview and was most gracious.
also worked with them to create a C
He found a vacant practise room in the John joined the Chicago Symphony as 4th cornet designed for orchestral playing,
bowels of Orchestra Hall and the next Trumpet in 1996 and in 1997 won the as well as an Eb/D trumpet and Bb/A
three hours literally flew by. 2nd Trumpet position. This was following piccolo trumpet.” As reported in the
As I walk with John through the a year as Principal Trumpet of the May issue of The Brass Herald, Yamaha
corridors, I see so many of the brass Wichita Symphony Orchestra in Kansas. has very recently brought a brand new
section staying on after the rehearsal. Prior to Wichita, John was the Principal Chicago Artist Model C Trumpet to the
Hey! There’s Gene Pokorny - he’s setting Trumpet of United States Marine Band market. John was once again central to
up for more personal practise. Always, so in Washington, D.C. This is some career this new model and describes it as:
friendly and welcoming, he allows me to pathway! John was Principal of “The incorporating the best of what we
interrupt the practise for a few moments President’s Own” from 1993-1995, having have learned from each of the previous
and speaks of a visit to the UK in the fall joined the Marine Band in 1989. John trumpet design projects, and lots of new
where he will be seeing our mutual friend tells me when he started there were still ideas that have been made possible with
and Brass Herald columnist, Jonathan musicians in the band from the Vietnam Yamaha’s recent advances in prototyping
Rees. We turn a corner and there is Chris War days. and manufacturing technology. It is by far
Martin, who I will be spending time with Turning to life in the fast lane of world the best yet.”
the following week at the International famed orchestras, I put it to John that if Then John says: “Philip, do you
Trumpet Guild Conference in Grand you wish to live a long and successful life remember me telling you last December
Rapids. There are wonderful brass sounds and have the God given ability, the best about Room 428 in the Fine Arts Building
filtering out from many of the rooms. way to achieve this is to join one of the and would you like to see it?” My answer
It’s for good reason that the Chicago most revered brass sections in the world. is an emphatic Yes and Yes. On our way
Symphony brass section “The predecessors in down Michigan Avenue, John tells me
is world renowned. No each of the positions Arnold Jacobs acquired the room - which
rushing off after the of the CSO brass is a teaching studio - back in 1973 and
rehearsal has finished section have left big literally thousands of brass students
- a commitment and shoes for us to fill!” have passed through this studio in their
singular purpose you John explains. “I can’t pursuit of excellence. “When the studio
can feel, almost touch - I speak for any of the became available, the owner of the Fine
think you get the idea! other players except Arts Building was considering renting
Right, down to the to tell you that we all it to an architectural firm that was
interview with the man have a great respect trying to expand into a few more rooms
I have been so looking for the tradition on the fourth floor. There is no other
forward to featuring of the Chicago space outside of Orchestra Hall that has
in The Brass Herald - Symphony Orchestra more of a connection with the Chicago
John Hagstrom. We brass sound, and Symphony brass tradition,” continues
cover so many aspects we do our best to John, “so eleven years ago, I took the
of brass performance John Hagstrom’s first solo pass on the energy obvious step and rented it myself.” We
and music and much of performance in 1975. and inspiration we really are on an adventure here; entering